Final answer:
The nurse should deliver compressions to a depth of 2 to 2.5 inches during CPR.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should deliver compressions by pushing down on the chest to a depth of 2 to 2.5 inches. CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is an emergency technique used to maintain blood flow when a person's heart stops. By manually compressing the blood within the heart, it can be pushed into the pulmonary and systemic circuits, which is critical for preventing brain damage and death. Current standards recommend compressions of at least 5 cm deep, which is equivalent to 2 to 2.5 inches.