Under what condition should CPR be initiated in pediatric patients?

Initiating CPR in pediatric patients is critically linked to their heart rate and overall condition. In this context, the correct choice focuses on the specific physiological threshold that requires intervention. When the heart rate in children drops below 60 beats per minute (bpm) and the patient shows symptoms, this indicates a state of severe bradycardia that can lead to cardiac arrest. This situation is particularly alarming in pediatric patients because they can deteriorate rapidly.

In young children, a heart rate below 60 bpm, coupled with symptoms such as lethargy, unresponsiveness, or altered mental status, signifies that the child's perfusion is inadequate, and failure to initiate CPR could result in irreversible damage or death. Recognizing this condition and responding promptly with CPR is essential for increasing the chances of survival.

Other choices do not provide the necessary urgency for initiating CPR. For instance, a heart rate below 80 bpm alone does not automatically warrant CPR unless accompanied by other critical symptoms. Similarly, while unresponsiveness indicates the need for immediate evaluation and potential resuscitation, it is the combination of bradycardia and symptoms that directly calls for CPR initiation. Signs of mild distress may not be severe enough to necessitate such an urgent intervention as CPR, which