After 30 seconds of PPV, if heart rate is greater than 60 but less than 100, what should you do?

• A. Continue PPV
• B. Initiate chest compressions
• C. Stop resuscitation
• D. Administer medications

Answer: (A)

When there’s a pulse present, the priority during pediatric resuscitation is to support ventilation and oxygenation. If after 30 seconds of PPV the heart rate is between 60 and 100, there is some circulation, so you continue providing rescue breaths to improve oxygen delivery and reassess rather than starting chest compressions. Chest compressions are reserved for situations where the pulse is not present or there is persistent poor perfusion with a pulse ≤60 despite adequate ventilation. Stopping resuscitation or giving medications isn’t indicated at this moment; you keep ventilating and monitor the patient, ready to escalate if the heart rate falls or signs of poor perfusion develop.