In adult CPR, where should the heel of the hand be placed?

• A. Center of the chest between nipples
• B. On the left side of the chest
• C. On the abdomen
• D. On the sternum directly over the heart

Answer: (A)

In adult CPR, the goal is to compress the heart effectively by depressing the chest over the heart’s midline. Placing the heel of the hand on the center of the chest, on the sternum just below the nipple line, positions the force directly over the heart to generate the best blood flow with each compression. This midline, lower-sternum landmark avoids guarding the abdomen and ensures the chest is compressed in the right location. Placing the hand on the left side or on the abdomen would not effectively compress the heart, and while the heart sits behind the sternum, the critical landmark is the center of the chest just below the nipples, not an area off to the side or above the abdomen.