What should be done if a pediatric patient shows no signs of normal breathing or just gasping?

When a pediatric patient exhibits no signs of normal breathing or is only gasping, immediate action is crucial. In this scenario, initiating CPR is essential because gasping is not considered an effective means of breathing and indicates a life-threatening situation. Timely CPR can help maintain blood flow and oxygen delivery to vital organs until emergency medical services arrive.

By starting chest compressions and providing rescue breaths (if trained), you are directly addressing the critical need to oxygenate the body and support circulation. This rapid response can significantly increase the child's chances of survival and reduce the risk of severe brain damage due to lack of oxygen.

In the context of this situation, while activating emergency response and checking for a pulse can be important steps, they should not delay the initiation of CPR if the patient is not breathing adequately. Monitoring the patient without performing CPR would also be inappropriate since immediate intervention is vital. Therefore, beginning CPR is the most appropriate action to take in this life-threatening emergency.