When should modified CPR be performed on an infant?

Modified CPR, also known as infant CPR, is specifically designed for providing care to infants who are unresponsive and not breathing. Performing modified CPR involves a unique approach to rescue breaths and chest compressions.

The correct point at which to perform modified CPR is when the provider has given two rescue breaths and observes that the infant's chest does not rise. This indicates that the airway may be obstructed, and the rescuer needs to proceed with chest compressions. The priority in infant CPR is to ensure that the airway is open and effective breaths are being delivered, so the failure of the chest to rise after providing rescue breaths is a crucial sign that more intervention is needed to circulate oxygenated blood throughout the infant's body.

In contrast, the options related to heartbeats, back blows, and chest compressions speak to different points in the overall emergency response but do not encapsulate the moment when modified CPR specifically should be initiated for an infant after two initial rescue breaths have proved ineffective. These elements come into play at different stages of the respiratory failure or cardiac arrest situation, but the decision to begin chest compressions is dependent upon the observation of the chest not rising after the initial rescue breaths.