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22 Child & Infant CPR Practice Questions & Answers

Every Child & Infant CPR practice question from the CPR, AED & First Aid Practice Test, with the correct answer and a short explanation.

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  1. 1. What is the recommended chest compression rate for BOTH an infant and a child in CPR?

    • A.About 80 compressions per minute
    • B.100–120 compressions per minute✓ Answer
    • C.60–80 compressions per minute
    • D.120–140 compressions per minute

    A rate of 100–120/min maximizes blood flow: too slow fails to circulate blood, while faster than 120 shortens the recoil phase so the heart cannot refill. The same rate applies to adults, children, and infants.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — high-quality CPR (rate 100–120/min)Report a problem with this question

  2. 2. To what depth should you compress the chest of an INFANT (under 1 year)?

    • A.About 1.5 inches (4 cm)✓ Answer
    • B.About 1 inch (2.5 cm)
    • C.About 2 inches (5 cm)
    • D.About 2.4 inches (6 cm)

    For an infant, compress at least one-third of the anteroposterior chest diameter, which is about 1.5 inches (4 cm). This is shallower than a child (~2 in) because the infant chest is smaller; matching depth to chest size delivers force without overcompression injury.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — infant compression depth (≈1.5 in / 4 cm)Report a problem with this question

  3. 3. To what depth should you compress the chest of a CHILD (1 year to puberty)?

    • A.About 2.4 inches (6 cm)
    • B.About 1 inch (2.5 cm)
    • C.About 1.5 inches (4 cm)
    • D.About 2 inches (5 cm)✓ Answer

    For a child, compress at least one-third of the anteroposterior chest diameter, about 2 inches (5 cm). This is deeper than an infant (~1.5 in) but not the adult maximum (2–2.4 in); the depth scales with the size of the chest.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — child compression depth (≈2 in / 5 cm)Report a problem with this question

  4. 4. Between compressions, what must a rescuer allow the chest to do?

    • A.Stay compressed until the two breaths are given
    • B.Fully recoil to its normal position without leaning✓ Answer
    • C.Rise only about halfway between compressions
    • D.Support your weight by leaning on the chest

    Full chest recoil lets the heart refill with blood before the next compression, so the next push actually circulates blood. Leaning on the chest prevents refilling and reduces cardiac output, so rescuers must lift enough to release all pressure.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — full chest recoil / avoid leaningReport a problem with this question

  5. 5. A SINGLE rescuer is performing CPR on a child or infant. What compression-to-ventilation ratio should be used?

    • A.3:1
    • B.15:2
    • C.5:1
    • D.30:2✓ Answer

    A lone rescuer uses 30:2 for a child or infant, the same as for an adult. With only one provider, stopping to breathe more often would cut into compression time, so the ratio stays 30 compressions to 2 breaths.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — single-rescuer ratio 30:2Report a problem with this question

  6. 6. TWO rescuers are performing CPR on a child or infant. What compression-to-ventilation ratio should be used?

    • A.30:2
    • B.5:1
    • C.10:2
    • D.15:2✓ Answer

    With two rescuers, the pediatric ratio drops to 15:2 so the child or infant receives more frequent breaths — critical because pediatric arrest is usually caused by a breathing problem. The extra rescuer allows ventilations without sacrificing compression time.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — two-rescuer ratio 15:2Report a problem with this question

  7. 7. How does the two-rescuer ratio for children/infants differ from the ratio for adults?

    • A.Both use 30:2 with two rescuers
    • B.Adults use 15:2, children 30:2
    • C.Children use 15:2, adults 30:2✓ Answer
    • D.Both use 15:2 with two rescuers

    The pediatric ratio changes with the number of rescuers (30:2 alone, 15:2 for two), but the adult ratio is always 30:2. This is because children need more ventilations, so a second rescuer is used to deliver them.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — pediatric vs adult two-rescuer ratioReport a problem with this question

  8. 8. Once an advanced airway is in place during pediatric CPR, how should compressions and breaths be delivered?

    • A.Continuous compressions, 1 breath every 6 seconds
    • B.Continuous compressions, 1 breath every 10 seconds
    • C.Keep pausing compressions to give 2 breaths, as 15:2
    • D.Continuous compressions, 1 breath every 2–3 seconds✓ Answer

    An advanced airway lets rescuers stop synchronizing: compressions become continuous (no pauses) while a breath is given roughly every 2–3 seconds, about 20–30 per minute. Continuous compressions maintain steady blood flow, and the higher breath rate reflects children's higher metabolic needs.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — advanced airway ventilation rate (1 breath every 2–3 s)Report a problem with this question

  9. 9. Under the 2025 AHA update, which compression technique for a single rescuer performing infant CPR is now DE-EMPHASIZED as less effective?

    • A.Heel of one hand on the chest
    • B.Two thumbs encircling the chest
    • C.Two fingers on the sternum✓ Answer
    • D.Two stacked hands on the chest

    The 2025 AHA/AAP update de-emphasizes the two-finger technique because studies show it rarely achieves adequate compression depth. Rescuers are directed to the two-thumb encircling technique or the heel of one hand, which generate greater, more reliable depth.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — two-finger infant technique de-emphasizedReport a problem with this question

  10. 10. Which technique is PREFERRED for chest compressions when TWO rescuers perform infant CPR?

    • A.Two thumbs encircling the chest✓ Answer
    • B.Two fingers on the lower sternum
    • C.Heel of one hand on the sternum
    • D.Two stacked hands on the sternum

    With two rescuers, the two-thumb encircling-hands technique is preferred: the thumbs compress the sternum while the hands encircle and support the back, producing greater depth and better blood pressure than the two-finger method.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — two-rescuer infant two-thumb encircling techniqueReport a problem with this question

  11. 11. Where should a trained rescuer check for a pulse in an INFANT?

    • A.Carotid artery in the neck
    • B.Femoral artery in the groin
    • C.Brachial artery in the arm✓ Answer
    • D.Radial artery at the wrist

    In infants the pulse is checked at the brachial artery on the inside of the upper arm because an infant's short, chubby neck makes the carotid pulse hard to locate. Take no more than 5–10 seconds.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — infant pulse check (brachial artery)Report a problem with this question

  12. 12. When opening an INFANT's airway for rescue breaths, the head should be positioned how?

    • A.In a neutral 'sniffing' position, not over-extended✓ Answer
    • B.With the chin pressed down against the chest
    • C.Tilted back to stretch the neck as far as it goes
    • D.Raised on a folded towel placed behind the head

    An infant's airway is opened to a neutral 'sniffing' position. Over-extending the soft, flexible infant neck can kink and obstruct the trachea, blocking the very airway you are trying to open.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — infant airway neutral/sniffing positionReport a problem with this question

  13. 13. For CPR purposes, a patient is classified as a 'child' from age 1 year until what point?

    • A.Until the eighth birthday
    • B.Until the twelfth birthday
    • C.Until the onset of puberty✓ Answer
    • D.Until the child weighs 25 kg

    Pediatric CPR guidelines define a child as age 1 year to the onset of puberty, judged by physical signs (underarm/chest hair in males, breast development in females). Puberty signals a body mature enough to use adult CPR techniques.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — definition of child (1 year to puberty)Report a problem with this question

  14. 14. Which hand placement is appropriate for chest compressions on a CHILD?

    • A.Two thumbs encircling the chest
    • B.Two fingers on the lower sternum
    • C.Heel of one hand over the xiphoid
    • D.Heel of one hand, or both hands✓ Answer

    For a child, use the heel of one hand — or two hands if the child is larger — on the lower half of the sternum. The rescuer chooses whichever gives adequate depth (~2 in) without excessive force, based on the child's size.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — child compression hand placementReport a problem with this question

  15. 15. Where should a trained rescuer check for a pulse in a CHILD?

    • A.Brachial artery in the arm
    • B.Radial artery at the wrist
    • C.Carotid or femoral artery✓ Answer
    • D.Temporal artery at the temple

    In a child the pulse is checked at the carotid (neck) or femoral (groin) artery, taking no more than 5–10 seconds. A child's neck is long enough for the carotid to be reliably felt, unlike an infant's.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — child pulse check (carotid or femoral)Report a problem with this question

  16. 16. What is the FIRST thing a rescuer should do upon reaching an unresponsive-appearing infant or child?

    • A.Check that the scene is safe, then responsiveness✓ Answer
    • B.Give two rescue breaths before anything else
    • C.Run to find an AED and bring it back first
    • D.Start chest compressions without checking first

    Always confirm the scene is safe before approaching, so you do not become a second victim, then check responsiveness (tap the shoulders or flick an infant's foot and shout). Only after finding the patient unresponsive and not breathing normally do you start CPR.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — scene safety and responsiveness checkReport a problem with this question

  17. 17. You are ALONE and witness no collapse — you simply find an unresponsive, non-breathing child with no phone nearby. What should you do?

    • A.Give about 2 minutes of CPR, then call EMS✓ Answer
    • B.Leave at once to call EMS before starting CPR
    • C.Give 5 rescue breaths first, then call EMS
    • D.Give about 30 seconds of CPR, then call EMS

    For a lone rescuer with an UNwitnessed pediatric collapse and no phone at hand, give about 2 minutes — 5 cycles of 30:2 — of CPR before leaving to call EMS and get an AED ('CPR first'). Pediatric arrest is usually respiratory, so immediate oxygenation and circulation matter more than an early call. (If the collapse were sudden/witnessed, you would call first.)

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — lone rescuer 'CPR first' for unwitnessed pediatric arrestReport a problem with this question

  18. 18. How should each rescue breath be delivered to a child or infant?

    • A.Two quick puffs, each in well under half a second
    • B.As much air as possible, until the belly also rises
    • C.Over about 1 second, just until the chest visibly rises✓ Answer
    • D.A fast, forceful breath to fully inflate the lungs

    Deliver each breath over about 1 second, using only enough volume to make the chest visibly rise. Fast or forceful breaths raise pressure in the airway and push air into the stomach (gastric inflation), which can cause vomiting and reduce lung filling.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — rescue breath over ~1 s, visible chest rise, avoid over-ventilationReport a problem with this question

  19. 19. A child has a pulse but is not breathing adequately. What is the correct rescue-breathing rate?

    • A.1 breath every 10 seconds
    • B.As many breaths as possible
    • C.1 breath every 2–3 seconds✓ Answer
    • D.1 breath every 6 seconds

    When a child or infant has a pulse but inadequate breathing, give 1 breath every 2–3 seconds (about 20–30/min) and recheck the pulse every 2 minutes. This is faster than the adult rate (1 every 6 s) because children have higher oxygen demands.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — rescue breathing rate with pulse (1 every 2–3 s)Report a problem with this question

  20. 20. An AED is needed for a 3-year-old in cardiac arrest, but only ADULT pads are available. What should you do?

    • A.Wait for pediatric pads to arrive
    • B.Skip the AED and give CPR only
    • C.Cut the adult pads down to size
    • D.Use the adult pads without delay✓ Answer

    A pediatric attenuator/pads are preferred for children under 8, but if they are unavailable you should use adult pads rather than withhold a potentially life-saving shock. On a small chest, position the pads so they do not touch — often one on the chest and one on the back.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — AED pads in children (use adult pads if pediatric unavailable)Report a problem with this question

  21. 21. On a small infant chest where two AED pads would touch, how should the pads be placed?

    • A.Both pads side by side on the chest
    • B.Overlap the pads so that they fit
    • C.Use a single pad on the left chest
    • D.One pad in front, one on the back✓ Answer

    If the pads would touch on a small chest, place one on the front and one on the back (anterior-posterior). Pads that touch can arc the current between them across the skin instead of through the heart, wasting the shock.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS Guidelines — AED anterior-posterior pad placement on small chestReport a problem with this question

  22. 22. An INFANT is choking with a complete airway obstruction and is still conscious. What is the correct relief technique?

    • A.5 back blows, then 5 abdominal thrusts
    • B.Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
    • C.Alternating 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts✓ Answer
    • D.Blind finger sweeps to clear the mouth

    For a conscious choking infant, alternate 5 back blows (heel of the hand between the shoulder blades) with 5 chest thrusts. Abdominal thrusts are NEVER used on an infant because they can injure the liver and other organs, which sit relatively unprotected.

    Source: AHA 2025 Pediatric BLS / First Aid — infant FBAO relief (back blows + chest thrusts, no abdominal thrusts)Report a problem with this question

Practice questions based on the American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR & ECC and American Red Cross first-aid guidance. This is general education, not medical advice, and does not replace hands-on certification. To be certified in CPR/AED/First Aid you must complete an approved in-person course with a skills check. In a real emergency, call 911. Study official materials at cpr.heart.org or redcross.org. Official CPR guidelines →