Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

You are caring for a 6-month-old infant who is unresponsive but has a pulse. What should you do?

1. Perform a primary assessment and provide initial interventions

2. Perform chest compressions immediately

3. Administer oxygen until help arrives

4. Monitor the infant without any intervention

The correct answer is: Perform a primary assessment and provide initial interventions

The correct action is to perform a primary assessment and provide initial interventions. In cases where an infant is unresponsive but still has a pulse, the priority is to assess the situation to determine the cause of unresponsiveness and to ensure the airway is clear. The primary assessment involves checking the airway, breathing, and circulation, which are crucial steps to provide appropriate care. By assessing the infant’s airway and ensuring that it is open, you can determine if any obstruction is present. If the infant is not breathing adequately, providing rescue breaths is essential. Monitoring without intervention would not suffice because the unresponsiveness may lead to further deterioration. Similarly, administering oxygen is important but is secondary to ensuring that the airway is clear and that breathing is occurring effectively. Performing chest compressions is not indicated since the infant has a pulse; compressions should only be initiated if there is no pulse. Thus, starting with a primary assessment enables you to take necessary and timely actions to address the unresponsiveness effectively.