North American Registry of Midwives (NARM) Practice Exam

What is the appropriate rate for delivering cardiac compressions in a newborn?

1. 60 compressions per minute

2. 90 compressions per minute

3. 120 compressions per minute

4. 150 compressions per minute

The correct answer is: 90 compressions per minute

The appropriate rate for delivering cardiac compressions in a newborn is 120 compressions per minute. This rate is consistent with neonatal resuscitation guidelines, which emphasize the importance of achieving effective and high-quality compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Delivering compressions at this rate allows for a balance between providing adequate blood flow and minimizing interruptions in chest compressions to improve the chances of successfully restoring spontaneous circulation. The guideline recommends maintaining this rate continuously, alongside the appropriate ratio of ventilations, to maximize the efficacy of resuscitation efforts in newborns who are not responding to initial resuscitation measures. In newborn resuscitation, it's critical to adjust the rate and ratio according to the specific context and the infant's response to resuscitative efforts. While the other rates presented are outside the recommended guidelines for neonatal CPR, delivering compressions at 120 per minute aligns with the accepted protocols established by organizations such as the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.