In the case of an unresponsive 7-month-old female with a history of asthma, what should be your first action?

In the case of an unresponsive 7-month-old with a history of asthma, the primary concern is ensuring adequate ventilation and oxygenation. When a patient is unresponsive, they may not be able to maintain their own airway or achieve effective breathing on their own. Assisting ventilation with a bag-valve-mask (BVM) is the most critical and immediate action to provide the necessary support to maintain proper oxygenation and prevent further complications.

In this scenario, starting with a BVM helps ensure that the child receives adequate tidal volume and maintains a patent airway. This action directly addresses potential respiratory failure and reduces the risk of hypoxia. Once ventilation is established and the child’s airway is secured, other steps regarding oxygenation, assessment, or specific asthma treatments can follow, but the priority remains with managing the immediate respiratory support.

This approach is consistent with standard emergency protocols, where managing an unresponsive patient's airway and ventilation takes precedence over other interventions like administering oxygen or medications.