An infant's heart can beat as many as ____ times or more per minute if the body needs to compensate.

Infants have naturally high heart rates when compared to older children and adults. A normal resting heart rate for an infant generally ranges from 100 to 160 beats per minute. However, when an infant's body is under stress or in a compensatory state, such as during illness or when they are experiencing a decrease in oxygen supply, their heart rate can increase significantly to help maintain adequate blood flow to vital organs.

A heart rate of 160 beats per minute is within the upper limits of what is considered normal during moments of high demand, such as during fever, dehydration, or shock. The body uses this increased heart rate as a mechanism to enhance circulation and ensure that enough oxygen is delivered to tissues, which is crucial in a growing infant. Therefore, the correct answer reflects the physiological response of an infant's heart in times of compensation.