What is the recommended action when an Apparent Life Threatening Event occurs?

• A. Observe and Monitor at Home
• B. Transport the Child
• C. Begin CPR Immediately
• D. Provide Oxygen and Discharge

Answer: (B)

When an Apparent Life-Threatening Event occurs, the next step is to transport the child to an emergency department for urgent medical evaluation. Even if the child seems to recover, ALTEs can signal underlying conditions such as respiratory, cardiac, metabolic, infectious, or neurologic problems that require professional assessment, testing, and monitoring. Transport ensures the child is evaluated by clinicians who can determine the cause, rule out serious illness, and provide appropriate treatment or reassurance.

If the child is currently in distress—not breathing or with no pulse—begin CPR immediately and summon help. Oxygen can be given as needed, but it does not substitute for hospital evaluation. The emphasis is on getting the child to advanced care promptly rather than observing at home or discharging after a brief stabilization.