An unresponsive 10-month-old exhibits cyanosis. What should you do first?

In the case of an unresponsive 10-month-old exhibiting cyanosis, assisting with ventilation is the immediate priority. Cyanosis indicates that the child is not getting enough oxygen, which is critical in any situation involving an unresponsive patient. When a child is unresponsive and shows signs of inadequate oxygenation, such as cyanosis, it is essential to ensure that they are receiving proper ventilation to restore oxygen levels.

Assisting ventilation, typically through techniques such as using a bag-valve mask, can help provide the necessary air and oxygen until further advanced life support measures can be initiated. This is crucial because the child may not be breathing adequately or at all, and without intervention to ensure that oxygen is delivered to the lungs, the situation can quickly worsen.

While assessing blood pressure, checking pulse oximetry, or initiating chest compressions are important components of pediatric resuscitation, they are secondary to addressing the immediate need for oxygenation in this scenario. In this case, timely intervention to assist ventilation can be life-saving.