What should you do for an unresponsive child or infant whom you did not see collapse?

When dealing with an unresponsive child or infant, especially when you did not witness the collapse, the most appropriate action is to provide care for 2 minutes before calling for help. This approach is based on the understanding that the conditions leading to the child's unresponsiveness could be critical and require immediate intervention, such as administering rescue breaths or chest compressions, particularly in cases of respiratory distress or cardiac arrest.

Performing care first allows you to address potential life-threatening issues promptly. For young children and infants, time can be crucial, and starting basic life support measures early could make a significant difference in their outcomes. After about 2 minutes of care, calling for emergency assistance ensures that advanced medical help arrives, allowing for continued care without unnecessary delays in treatment.

The other options suggest either calling for help immediately or performing CPR without prior assessment, which could lead to delays in vital interventions in certain situations. In cases where the child or infant needs immediate assistance, providing care first is beneficial and aligns with the guidelines for basic life support in pediatric emergencies.