What should you do if a child is unresponsive but has a pulse greater than 60 bpm?

When dealing with a child who is unresponsive but has a pulse greater than 60 beats per minute, the appropriate action is to call for emergency medical services (EMS) and provide ventilations. This choice is based on the understanding that the presence of a pulse indicates that the child's heart is still functioning sufficiently to pump blood, but their unresponsiveness suggests they may be in a state of respiratory distress or failure.

In such cases, the primary concern is to ensure that the child is receiving adequate oxygenation. Providing ventilations will help deliver oxygen to the lungs and, subsequently, to the bloodstream. This is vital because, even with a pulse, a lack of effective breathing can lead to hypoxia and further deterioration of the child’s condition.

Monitoring without intervention may lead to a missed opportunity to prevent further harm, as the child's unresponsiveness is a serious sign that requires timely action. While it is crucial to assess the child's condition, simply observing them doesn't address the immediate need for respiratory support.

Initiating CPR or delivering chest compressions is unwarranted in this scenario since the presence of a pulse is confirmed. CPR is typically reserved for situations where the patient has no pulse or is in cardiac arrest, which is not the case here