During pediatric CPR, hand placement should be on the lower half of the sternum using which arrangement?

• A. 2 fingers in center of chest just below nipple line
• B. 2 hands or 1 hand on the lower half of the sternum
• C. 2 thumbs encircling the chest just below nipple line
• D. 2 hands on upper sternum

Answer: (B)

In pediatric CPR, you want the compressions centered on the chest so they effectively squeeze the heart and push blood forward. Placing your hands on the lower half of the sternum does this best, because it aligns directly above the heart and allows the chest to recoil between compressions. Using either two hands or one hand on that same spot gives you the right amount of force for a child, with the option to adjust based on the child’s size and the rescuer’s ability. Two hands can provide more depth when the child is larger, while one hand may be used for smaller children or when space is limited. This position also helps avoid pressing too high or too low on the chest, reducing the risk of injury to surrounding structures.