A 3-month-old recently alerted by apnea monitor and now breathing on own has vital signs P 160, R 28, SpO2 98% on room air. What should be the first consideration?

• A. Administer blow-by oxygen at 6 L/minute
• B. Check the functions of the apnea monitor
• C. Determine what care she provided
• D. Instruct her how to ventilate him

Answer: (C)

The key idea is to determine what actions the caregiver already took during the event. Knowing exactly what care she provided helps you interpret why the infant recovered and guides what you do next. Here, the infant is now breathing on his own with a normal-looking SpO2 (98% on room air) and a heart rate that is high but not inappropriate for a 3-month-old, so there isn’t an immediate need to deliver oxygen or ventilate. If the caregiver performed rescue breaths or CPR, that information explains the current stability and shapes your ongoing plan (continue close monitoring and reassess, and be prepared to support airway and breathing if signs worsen). Checking the apnea monitor’s function is useful, but it doesn’t override the need to know what care was provided, since a correct history can confirm whether any lifesaving actions were already taken. Providing blow-by oxygen or instructing ventilation would be premature given the current stable parameters and should follow after understanding the prior care and performing a focused assessment.