Final answer:
CPR should be administered to a pediatric patient if there are signs of an abnormal heart rate and clinical symptoms of distress, unresponsiveness, or abnormal breathing. Apgar score criteria and the specific age-related normal heart rates help in assessing the necessity for intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the initiation of CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for a pediatric patient, it's important to evaluate both heart rate and respiration. According to the Apgar score, which assesses newborns shortly after birth, heart rate and respiration are critical criteria. A newborn with an Apgar score below 7 five minutes after birth may need assistance, and a score below 5 suggests an emergency. Newborns typically have a resting heart rate of about 120 beats per minute (bpm), and this will decrease as they grow older. For adult patients, normal resting HR ranges from 60-100 bpm, while anything below 60 bpm is considered bradycardia.
However, CPR may be necessary if there are signs of abnormal heart rates or if the patient exhibits clinical symptoms like unresponsiveness or abnormal breathing. When CPR is performed, chest compressions should be at least 5 cm deep and at a rate of 100 compressions per minute.