What should be assessed before performing CPR on an infant or child?

Before performing CPR on an infant or child, it is crucial to assess both breathing and responsiveness. This step is essential because it helps determine whether the child is in need of resuscitation. Checking for responsiveness involves gently shaking the child and calling out to them to see if they respond; a lack of response indicates a severe medical emergency.

Additionally, assessing breathing involves looking for signs of normal breathing or abnormal breathing patterns. If the child is not breathing or only gasping, it indicates that CPR is necessary. Therefore, this initial assessment provides vital information that guides the rescuer's next steps, ensuring that CPR is only initiated when truly needed.

While heart rate, skin temperature, and pupil dilation are important assessments in various medical contexts, they are not the immediate priorities when performing CPR. Instead, the focus should be on whether the infant or child is responsive and breathing adequately, as this directly influences the urgent need for resuscitation efforts.