Final answer:
The statement is true; both chest compressions and ventilations are necessary when providing CPR to infants and children due to their higher risk of respiratory-related cardiac arrest. Proper CPR training is important to prevent injuries while performing life-saving maneuvers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that infants and children should receive both chest compressions and ventilations rather than compression-only CPR is TRUE. In infants and young children, the need for ventilations is particularly important due to their physiological differences from adults and their higher likelihood of respiratory problems leading to cardiac arrest. Unlike adults where the emphasis in recent guidelines has shifted more towards high-quality chest compressions, in children and particularly in infants, providing ventilations is crucial because their cardiac arrests are often secondary to respiratory issues.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) involves manual efforts to maintain blood circulation by applying pressure on the sternum between the lines at T4 and T9, as depicted in Figure 19.3. Proper hand placement and technique during CPR are critical to avoid injuries such as broken ribs or damage to the liver caused by improperly placed hands driving the xiphoid process into the liver. Proper training is essential for performing CPR effectively and safely, and many institutions offer certification and recertification courses.