What question should the nurse ask first when a child is found not breathing?

In an emergency situation where a child is found not breathing, the priority is to assess the condition and circumstances of the child immediately. Asking, "What did the infant look like when you found him?" is essential because it provides immediate information regarding the infant's responsiveness, skin color, facial expression, or any signs of distress or abnormal positioning.

This information can help the nurse quickly determine the severity of the situation and if immediate resuscitation is required. Observations such as if the child was pale, blue, or in an unusual position can give critical clues about the potential cause of the unresponsiveness, such as airway obstruction or asphyxiation.

In emergency care, timely and effective assessment can significantly influence outcomes, making this question the most useful for guiding immediate intervention. Other options, while potentially relevant, do not provide as direct information about the current state of the child that would influence immediate care decisions.