If a pediatric patient has a pulse but is not breathing normally, what should you do?

In a situation where a pediatric patient has a pulse but is not breathing normally, the appropriate action is to provide rescue breaths. This approach is critical because even with a pulse, the patient cannot effectively oxygenate their blood if they are not breathing adequately. Rescue breaths allow you to deliver oxygen directly into the lungs, which is necessary to support the patient's vital organs and prevent respiratory failure.

Providing rescue breaths involves ensuring a proper airway clearance, using techniques such as the head-tilt-chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuver to open the airway, and then delivering breaths at a rate appropriate for a pediatric patient. This timely intervention can help revive normal breathing patterns and stabilize the patient's condition until further help arrives.

Starting chest compressions is not indicated in this scenario, as the presence of a pulse suggests adequate circulation. Monitoring the patient is also insufficient, as immediate action is needed to address the inadequate breathing. Waiting for emergency response can cause unnecessary delays in providing critical support that may be lifesaving.