While triaging at a motor-vehicle crash, what should you do for an unresponsive 5-year-old child who is apneic?

In the scenario of an unresponsive, apneic 5-year-old child, the priority is to ensure that the child has an adequate airway and is receiving appropriate breathing assistance. Palpating for a carotid pulse is a crucial step in determining the child's circulatory status; if there is no pulse, immediate resuscitation efforts would need to begin.

In pediatric emergencies, especially with an unresponsive child, the assessment of the pulse can guide the rescuer on the next appropriate action. If a pulse is detected, the focus would shift to providing rescue breaths and ventilating the child to address the apneic state. If no pulse is found, CPR would be initiated immediately. This means that assessing the pulse is integral to determining the immediacy and nature of intervention needed.

While classifying the child as immediate, deceased, or delivering rescue breaths may seem like valid options, without confirming the presence of a pulse or initiating basic life support measures, the rescuer could miss critical steps in effectively addressing the situation. Therefore, palpating for a carotid pulse is the correct first action, as it allows the responder to make informed decisions about the next course of action for resuscitation.