What action should be taken if a child is unresponsive but has normal breathing?

When a child is unresponsive but has normal breathing, the most appropriate action is to monitor the child closely. This approach allows healthcare providers to ensure that the child remains stable while waiting for further assistance or assessing their condition regularly. Keeping a watchful eye is crucial for any changes in their breathing or responsiveness, which could indicate a deterioration that requires immediate intervention.

In such a situation, initiating CPR would be inappropriate, as the child is breathing normally, and CPR is warranted only when there is no breathing or heartbeat. Providing rescue breaths alone would also be incorrect since it applies to a scenario where the child is not breathing. Calling for emergency services, while essential if the situation does not improve or worsens, is secondary to ensuring the child is monitored continuously until help arrives. This helps to balance the need for immediate action with the fact that the child is not in immediate respiratory distress.