Final answer:
CPR chest compressions in adults should be at least 5 cm deep, have a rate of 100 per minute, and hands should be placed between T4 and T9 on the sternum. Proper training is necessary to perform CPR effectively and minimize the risk of injury to the patient.
Step-by-step explanation:
The critical components of chest compressions in adults during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) include the rate, the depth of compressions, and hand placement. The current standards for CPR recommend a compression depth of at least 5 cm and a rate of 100 compressions per minute. Hand placement is crucial and should be on the sternum, specifically between the T4 and T9 vertebrae, to effectively compress the heart and maintain blood flow, particularly to the brain, where irreversible damage can occur within minutes of loss of blood flow. Proper training in CPR techniques is critical to avoid causing additional harm, such as broken ribs or sternum, or potentially fatal damage by driving the xiphoid process into the liver.