During chest compression in adult's CPR, sternum should depress-

RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2022

Nursing Foundation

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2022

Explanation

The correct range for adult chest compression depth among the given options is 1 1⁄2 to 2 inches.
This depth is required to adequately compress the heart between the sternum and spine, generating sufficient cardiac output to perfuse vital organs during cardiac arrest.
While older guidelines specified 1.5 to 2 inches, current American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines recommend a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) but not exceeding 2.4 inches (6 cm). This option is the only one that includes the minimum effective depth of 2 inches.
Effective chest compressions are a critical component of high-quality CPR and a major determinant of patient survival.

Option A: A compression depth of 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch is far too shallow for an adult. It would fail to generate the necessary intrathoracic pressure to circulate blood to the brain and other vital organs.
Option B: Similar to the first option, a depth of 3⁄4 to 1 inch is insufficient for an adult. Such shallow compressions would not produce meaningful blood flow.
Option D: A compression depth of 2 1⁄2 to 3 inches is too deep. The AHA guidelines explicitly warn against compressing more than 2.4 inches (6 cm) due to an increased risk of iatrogenic injuries like rib fractures, lung or liver lacerations, and cardiac contusions.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain The question tests the knowledge of the correct chest compression depth for an adult during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) according to standard guidelines as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
High-quality CPR is the cornerstone of basic life support and directly impacts survival rates from cardiac arrest. Nurses must be proficient in all its components.
Key metrics for high-quality CPR include not just depth, but also a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute, allowing for full chest recoil between compressions, and minimizing interruptions.
What if? If the patient was an infant (less than 1 year old), the compression depth would change to approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm), or one-third the anterior-posterior diameter of the chest, using the two-finger or two-thumb technique.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it's asking for a specific numerical value related to a medical procedure.
The key parameters are 'adult CPR' and 'chest compression depth'.
Recall the standard guidelines for this procedure. The AHA recommends a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) for adults.
Scan the options to find the one that best matches this guideline.
Option C, '1 1⁄2 to 2 inch', is the only one that includes the currently recommended minimum depth of 2 inches, making it the best possible answer among the choices.
Eliminate other options based on being too shallow (A, B) or too deep and potentially harmful (D).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: The question tests the knowledge of the correct chest compression depth for an adult during Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) according to standard guidelines.
Stem keywords: chest compression, adult's CPR, sternum, depress
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE