What's the primary difference between compressions on an adult vs. a small child? The child's chest wall is more easily compressed, so we shouldn't push as deep We should use two hands on a small child and one hand on an adult We may use one hand instead of two in order to compress the small child's chest We should use three fingers for chest compressions on a child and five fingers on an adult

Answer 1

The primary difference between chest compressions on an adult and a small child is related to the depth and technique of compressions. For small children (typically under 8 years old), you should use one hand for compressions, while for adults, you generally use both hands.

Specifically:

• Depth of Compressions: You should compress to a depth of about 1.5 inches (4 cm) for children, while for adults, the depth should be about 2-2.4 inches (5-6 cm).
• Technique: For a small child, you can use one hand or two fingers (for infants) for chest compressions, while for adults, two hands are typically used.

Therefore, the statement that most accurately reflects the difference is that we may use one hand instead of two in order to compress the small child's chest. This approach takes into account the size and structure of the child's chest compared to that of an adult.