Which characteristic differentiates pediatric CPR from adult CPR?

The distinguishing characteristic between pediatric CPR and adult CPR is the different compression-to-ventilation ratio. In pediatric CPR, the recommended ratio for one-rescuer CPR is 30:2, which is the same as in adults. However, if there are two rescuers involved in pediatric CPR, the ratio changes to 15:2. This adjustment reflects the physiological differences between children and adults, particularly the need to provide more frequent ventilations relative to compressions in younger patients.

In pediatric patients, the focus is also on ensuring that adequate ventilation is provided, as airway management is critical to the effectiveness of resuscitation. This ratio change emphasizes the importance of effective ventilation in relation to compressions when treating children, who may be more susceptible to respiratory issues leading to cardiac arrest.

The other options do not accurately reflect a foundational difference between pediatric and adult CPR. For instance, CPR can be performed by a single rescuer on both adults and children, and compression depth is generally measured based on anatomical landmarks rather than solely the patient's age. Additionally, mouth-to-mouth ventilation is just one of several techniques used for providing rescue breaths, and in modern practice, it is often supplemented or replaced by bag-valve mask ventilation, especially in professional settings.