What should be done when checking the responsiveness of an infant?

When checking the responsiveness of an infant, the appropriate technique involves shouting and tapping the foot. This method is particularly effective for infants because their small body size and fragility make certain actions, such as tapping the shoulder or shaking, inappropriate.

Tapping the foot is gentle and less likely to cause any harm, while still being a reliable way to stimulate a response. Infants typically respond to voice and touch, and this approach allows health care providers to gauge if the infant is conscious and responsive, which is critical for assessing the situation accurately.

Other techniques like shaking or pinching may lead to injury and distress in the infant, making them unsuitable methods for checking responsiveness. Therefore, tapping the foot combined with vocalization creates a safe and effective way to assess an infant's level of alertness.