A: 1. Respond as quickly as possible (within 10 seconds).

2. If the alarm is a continuous (steady) sound, this indicates a monitor, lead or battery problem. If the alarm is intermittently beeping, this indicates a baby problem (event). If the alarm is beeping, count the beeps as you respond. Remember: Respond to ALL alarms as if each is a true event.

3) Check your baby first. Ignore the monitor until you are satisfied that your baby is all right.

• Check your baby's color. Is he or she pink? Pale? Dusky? Blue? Fingernails and lips are the best areas to observe.
• Without touching your baby, check his or her breathing. The nostrils and stomach are the best areas to observe breathing.

4) If your baby is breathing and his or her color is good, check the electrodes, lead wires and patient's cable to determine the cause of the false alarm.

5) If a color change (pale, dusky, bluish) is noted, immediately stimulate your baby. The greater the color change, the more you should stimulate.

6) If no color change is noted, continue to observe your baby without touching him or her until 10 seconds (each beep equals one second) have elapsed.

Note: If the monitor you have does not give a beep each second, your Apria Healthcare representative will inform you of the appropriate time interval per beep.

7) If your baby does not begin to breathe after 10 beeps, begin to stimulate him or her with a gentle touch.

8) If a gentle touch does not cause the baby to breathe, stimulate him or her more vigorously. "Flicking" the soles of his or her feet is an effective way to do this.

9) If your baby's color or heart rate does not return to normal with stimulation, perform CPR.

Note: Any time you have had to breathe for your baby, call 911 or your local emergency response system immediately so that he or she can be taken to the nearest emergency room. Take the monitor with you.

If you are having monitor problems or have any questions about apnea monitors, call your local Apria Healthcare branch.