National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

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Where should the heel of the hand be placed to perform CPR on a 14-year-old patient?

  1. Two finger widths proximal to the xiphoid process

  2. On the middle portion parallel to the length of the sternum

  3. On the patient's forehead to stabilize the neck

  4. On the distal one-third and parallel to the length of the sternum

The correct answer is: On the distal one-third and parallel to the length of the sternum

To perform CPR on a 14-year-old patient, the heel of the hand should be placed on the distal one-third of the sternum and parallel to its length. This placement is critical for effective compressions during CPR. The reason for positioning the heel of the hand in this manner is to ensure that the compressions are applied primarily to the lower part of the sternum, which is more compliant and allows for better mechanical advantage while minimizing the risk of injury to the xiphoid process and surrounding structures. By placing the heel of the hand at this location, the rescuer can deliver powerful and effective compressions that are deep enough to create proper blood flow without jeopardizing the underlying organs due to improper hand placement. This technique is consistent with guidelines provided by organizations such as the American Heart Association, which emphasize the importance of hand positioning in achieving effective chest compressions during a cardiac arrest scenario. The other choices do not represent the ideal hand placement for CPR. For instance, placing the hands two finger widths proximal to the xiphoid process could lead to compression of the liver or diaphragm. Similarly, stabilizing the neck by placing the hand on the patient's forehead is not relevant to the compression technique needed in CPR, as it does not