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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

NCLEX CPR Compression Depth Quiz - Test Your Skills

Think you can ace sternum depression depth? Start the quiz now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper cut illustration on golden yellow background shows stylized sternum with depth measurement guide heartbeat motif

Use this NCLEX practice quiz to master sternum compression depth for CPR and know exactly how far to depress the lower sternum. You'll answer focused items, get clear feedback, and flag gaps before the exam; when you want more context on compressions and airway basics, check the CPR review .

What is the recommended chest compression depth for adult CPR according to AHA guidelines?
4 - 5 cm (1.5 - 2 inches)
6 - 7 cm (2.4 - 2.8 inches)
5 - 6 cm (2 - 2.4 inches)
2 - 3 cm (0.8 - 1.2 inches)
The 2015 and 2020 AHA guidelines recommend compressing the adult chest at least 5 cm but not more than 6 cm to maximize perfusion while limiting injury. Excessive depth can increase risk of internal injuries without improving outcomes. This range balances efficacy and safety.
For a child (ages 1 to puberty), what is the recommended chest compression depth?
6 cm (2.4 inches)
About one-third of the anterior - posterior chest depth
4 cm (1.5 inches)
2 inches (5 cm)
Current guidelines instruct rescuers to compress the chest of a child approximately one-third the depth of the chest, which generally equals about 5 cm. Using a proportional depth ensures appropriate perfusion without causing harm.
What is the recommended chest compression depth for an infant during CPR?
About one-third of the anterior - posterior chest depth
5 - 6 cm (2 - 2.4 inches)
6 - 7 cm (2.4 - 2.8 inches)
2 inches (5 cm)
Infant chest compressions should depress the chest to about one-third of its depth (approximately 4 cm). This proportionate measurement protects against injury while providing effective circulation.
What is the ideal rate of chest compressions per minute for adults?
120 - 140 compressions per minute
100 - 120 compressions per minute
80 - 100 compressions per minute
60 - 80 compressions per minute
The AHA recommends a compression rate between 100 and 120 per minute for all age groups in CPR. This range maximizes perfusion and survival outcomes. Rates slower or faster can diminish blood flow effectiveness.
Where should you place your hands for adult chest compressions?
On the upper third of the sternum
On the lower half of the sternum
On the xiphoid process
On the midline of the rib cage
Proper hand placement is on the lower half of the sternum, avoiding the xiphoid process to reduce the risk of injury to underlying organs. This position optimizes force transmission to the heart.
Why is full chest recoil important during CPR?
It increases compression depth
It prevents rescuer fatigue
It allows the heart to refill with blood
It helps maintain airway patency
Allowing full chest recoil between compressions lets the heart refill with venous blood, maximizing cardiac output when the next compression occurs. Leaning on the chest limits filling and reduces perfusion.
What is the compression-to-ventilation ratio for a single rescuer performing adult CPR?
30:2
15:2
5:1
50:6
Single-rescuer adult CPR uses a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio. This provides adequate circulatory support while maintaining oxygenation.
What is the optimal rescuer body position when delivering chest compressions?
Standing at the head of the patient
Leaning to one side to use body weight
Squatting behind the patient
Kneeling beside the patient with arms straight and shoulders over the hands
Positioning shoulders directly over the hands with straight arms maximizes downward force and minimizes rescuer fatigue. A stable posture ensures consistent compression depth.
How does excessive obesity in an adult patient affect the chest compression depth required?
It requires less force due to chest fat distribution
Obesity has no effect on compression effort
It may require more force to achieve the recommended depth
It requires shallower compressions
In obese patients, extra soft tissue can dissipate force, so rescuers often need to apply greater force to achieve the target 5 - 6 cm depth. Monitoring real compression depth feedback is critical.
Which indicator during CPR suggests high-quality chest compressions?
Audible heart sounds between compressions
Carotid pulse felt continuously during compressions
Visible chest rise only
End-tidal CO? (ETCO?) greater than 10 mmHg
An ETCO? reading above 10 mmHg during CPR indicates adequate compression depth and perfusion. It correlates with higher chances of return of spontaneous circulation.
Which complication is most commonly associated with excessively deep chest compressions?
Rib fractures and sternal fractures
Ruptured spleen
Liver laceration
Pneumothorax
Rib and sternal fractures are the most common injuries from deep compressions, particularly if force exceeds guidelines. While organ injuries can occur, bony fractures are most frequent.
During CPR on a pregnant patient, how should hand placement for compressions be adjusted?
No change in hand placement
Place hands lateral to the sternum
Shift hands one inch downward
Shift hands one inch upward on the sternum
Pregnant patients should receive compressions with standard hand placement on the lower half of the sternum. Uterine displacement to the left is recommended but does not change hand position.
Which surface is best for performing high-quality chest compressions?
Patient's own bed with pillow removed
Soft couch
Hospital bed mattress
Hard floor or firm surface
A firm surface such as a hard floor ensures most of the compression force transmits to the chest rather than compressing the surface. Beds and mattresses absorb force, reducing effective depth.
How often should rescuers switch roles during prolonged CPR to minimize fatigue?
Only after signs of fatigue
Every 5 minutes
Every 1 minute
Every 2 minutes
Rotating rescuers every two minutes helps maintain high-quality compressions by preventing fatigue, which can otherwise reduce depth and rate.
What is one advantage of using a mechanical chest compression device?
Lower cost than manual CPR
Eliminates need for ventilation
Reduces chance of rib fractures completely
Ensures consistent compression depth and rate
Mechanical devices deliver compressions at a preset depth and rate without fatigue, improving consistency. They do not replace ventilation but help maintain perfusion quality.
Which technique is recommended for two-rescuer infant CPR to optimize compression depth?
Two-finger technique at the sternum
Single-thumb technique
Two-thumb encircling hands technique
Heel of one hand on chest
The two-thumb encircling technique allows both thumbs to deliver compressions with greater depth and consistency, while other fingers encircle the torso for stability.
The 2020 AHA guidelines emphasize not compressing beyond what maximum depth in adults?
6 cm
5 cm
8 cm
7 cm
While at least 5 cm is required, the guidelines caution against compressing deeper than 6 cm to minimize risk of internal injury without added benefit.
Which technology incorporated into some defibrillators provides real-time feedback on compression depth?
Portable echocardiography
Accelerometer-based sensors
Doppler ultrasound
Infrared pressure gauges
Accelerometer-based devices measure motion and angle to calculate actual chest displacement, offering immediate feedback on depth.
When performing CPR on a small child under 8 years old, how should you adjust compression depth?
Compress until visible chest rise
Use adult depth guidelines
Compress approximately one-third of chest depth
Compress 1/4 of chest depth
Children under puberty require compressions to about one-third of the chest's anterior - posterior dimension to ensure adequate circulation without undue trauma.
According to the thoracic pump theory, chest compressions generate forward blood flow primarily by:
Increasing intrathoracic pressure to expel blood
Squeezing the great vessels externally
Directly compressing the heart between sternum and spine
Creating a suction effect during recoil
The thoracic pump model posits that uniform increases in intrathoracic pressure during compressions drive blood flow out of the thorax, unlike direct heart compression.
Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) during CPR tracks changes in:
Arterial oxygen saturation
Intracardiac pressure
Chest wall electrical impedance
End-tidal CO? levels
EIT measures variations in thoracic electrical impedance as a surrogate for changes in lung and blood volume, providing insight into compression efficacy.
What is the impact of incomplete chest recoil on circulation during CPR?
Decreased venous return to the heart
Higher end-tidal CO?
Improved depth of subsequent compressions
Increased coronary perfusion pressure
Incomplete release restricts venous blood from refilling the heart, reducing stroke volume and overall perfusion during CPR.
How does chest compression fraction relate to patient survival in cardiac arrest?
No correlation with survival rates
Only compression rate matters, not fraction
Higher fraction correlates with better survival
Lower fraction improves survival
Compression fraction - the percentage of time compressions are performed - correlates positively with survival. Minimizing pauses maximizes perfusion.
At compression depths exceeding 6 cm, which blood flow mechanism predominates according to physiologic models?
Cardiac pump mechanism
Ventilatory pump mechanism
Suction pump mechanism
Thoracic pump mechanism
Deeper compressions raise overall intrathoracic pressure, so the thoracic pump mechanism, which relies on pressure changes in the chest cavity, becomes dominant at depths >6 cm.
Which physiologic parameter is most closely correlated with chest compression depth and predicts return of spontaneous circulation?
Coronary perfusion pressure
End-tidal CO?
Arterial oxygen saturation
Pulse pressure
Coronary perfusion pressure during the decompression phase is directly related to compression depth and is a key predictor of successful return of spontaneous circulation.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Sternum Compression Depth -

    Identify the recommended sternum compression depth for CPR and answer how far would the nurse depress the lower sternum based on current guidelines.

  2. Apply Depth Knowledge -

    Use NCLEX practice questions to simulate chest compressions and ensure correct depression depth during emergency scenarios.

  3. Recall CPR Techniques -

    Review key CPR steps, including rate, recoil, and sternum compression depth for CPR, to strengthen nursing NCLEX trivia recall.

  4. Analyze Feedback -

    Interpret immediate quiz feedback to pinpoint strengths and areas for improvement in sternum compression skills.

  5. Differentiate Patient Age Groups -

    Compare sternum compression depth recommendations for adults, children, and infants in CPR procedures.

  6. Optimize Study Strategy -

    Incorporate free NCLEX quiz prep insights to enhance critical care knowledge and study efficiency.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Optimal Compression Depth -

    According to the American Heart Association, how far would the nurse depress the lower sternum in an adult CPR scenario is approximately 5 cm (2 inches). Remember this depth when tackling NCLEX practice questions on sternum compression depth for CPR to ensure adequate blood flow. Keep this fact handy during your free NCLEX quiz prep for quick recall.

  2. Hand Placement Technique -

    Place the heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum and interlock the other hand on top, keeping arms straight and shoulders directly over the hands. Proper positioning not only ensures effective compressions but also minimizes fatigue during prolonged CPR. This detail often appears in nursing NCLEX trivia, so visualize the landmark every time you review.

  3. Compression Rate and Ratio -

    Maintain a rate of 100 - 120 compressions per minute with a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for single rescuers, per AHA guidelines. Use the "Stayin' Alive" beat as a mnemonic to keep your pace steady under pressure. Practicing this rhythm makes NCLEX practice questions feel like second nature.

  4. Full Chest Recoil -

    Allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions to let the heart refill; incomplete recoil reduces cardiac output by up to 30%. Imagine the chest springing back after each push - this mental image helps lock in the concept during nursing NCLEX trivia rounds. Full recoil is a small detail with a big impact on perfusion.

  5. Minimize Interruptions -

    Limit hands-off time to under 10 seconds and switch rescuers every two minutes to combat fatigue and maintain compression quality. Brief pauses can significantly drop perfusion pressure, so coordinate team roles in advance. Practicing this in free NCLEX quiz prep scenarios gives you confidence when seconds count.

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