28) When administering chest compression to someone whose heart has stopped beating, the heel of the hand should be placed on the sternum on a line drawn between the nipples. Why would it be a problem if the hand was placed at a lower part of the sternum?

Question

Biology

Faith Foley

6 February, 14:38

28) When administering chest compression to someone whose heart has stopped beating, the heel of the hand should be placed on the sternum on a line drawn between the nipples. Why would it be a problem if the hand was placed at a lower part of the sternum?

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Answers (1)

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Nathanael Freeman · Answer 1

The sternum may suffer a fracture

Explanation:

The sternum is not all solid bone, it has a section of cartilage at the tip as it approaches the abdomen. Therefore it is easy for it to be fractured if pressure is exerted below the line marked by the two nipples, which is a place where it is strong enough to be safely pressed by the heel of the hand.