What are the recommended adult CPR compression rate and depth?

• A. 60–80 compressions per minute; about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep.
• B. 140–160 compressions per minute; about 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep.
• C. 80–100 compressions per minute; about 1.5 inches (4 cm) deep.
• D. 100–120 compressions per minute; about 2 inches (5 cm) deep.

Answer: (D)

During adult CPR, the goal is to push blood effectively through the body. The best balance is a rate of about 100 to 120 compressions per minute, with a chest depth of roughly 2 inches (5 cm) for each compression. This pace keeps blood flowing to vital organs like the brain and heart, while the depth is enough to generate meaningful pressure without causing unnecessary injury. If compressions are too slow or too shallow, perfusion drops; if they’re too fast or too deep, you risk poor chest recoil and injury without significantly increasing blood flow. So the recommended combination—100–120 per minute and about 2 inches deep—maximizes blood circulation during CPR.