Final answer:
CPR compressions for a 7-year-old child should be performed at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute and a depth of approximately 2 inches, focusing on high-quality chest compressions without interruptions for rescue breathing, unless advised by updated guidelines or during a trained two-responder scenario.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse initiates CPR for a 7-year-old child who has collapsed and is found to be unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse, the compression rate and depth are critical for successful resuscitation. For a child, current standards for CPR provided by healthcare professionals advise compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute. The depth of these compressions should be about one third of the chest depth, which is approximately 2 inches (5 cm) for most children. These CPR compressions are important to maintain blood circulation and are especially crucial for brain health, as brain cells can begin to die within minutes without oxygenated blood flow.
The technique involves using the flat part of one hand on the sternum, applying pressure in the center of the chest between the nipples, and keeping your other hand on top if needed for additional force. The goal is to compress the chest consistently and allow it to fully recoil between compressions, without pausing for artificial respiration, unless it's a part of a trained two-responder method or if rescue breaths are recommended for any specific scenario by updated guidelines. High-quality CPR should continue until the child shows signs of life or until professional medical services take over.