Final answer:
Amy should check for breathing and a carotid pulse for at least five seconds but not more than 10. This helps to assess the immediate medical state of an individual. In the context of newborns, heart rate and respiration are critical Apgar criteria for determining their well-being.
Step-by-step explanation:
Amy should simultaneously check for breathing and a carotid pulse for at least five seconds but no more than 10. When you feel your pulse, you are feeling the pressure of the blood as your heart pumps it through your arteries. Measuring your pulse rate for 10 seconds and then for 1 minute can help determine if there's a consistent factor of 6 difference, which confirms the pulse rate is stable. In the context of Apgar scores, assessing heart rate and respiration is crucial for newborns, with certain scores indicating the necessity of medical intervention.
The Apgar criteria involve assessing newborns on five parameters: skin color, heart rate, reflex, muscle tone, and respiration, with scores assigned at 1 minute and 5 minutes post-birth to gauge the newborn's condition and possible distress.By checking for breathing and a pulse simultaneously, Amy can determine if the person is responsive and has a functioning cardiovascular system.