An infant is considered to be at high risk for SIDS. Which of the following items should be used to monitor the infant?

• A. Apnea monitor
• B. Capnograph
• C. Oximeter
• D. Transcutaneous monitor

Answer: (A)

An apnea monitor is used because it directly detects pauses in breathing and can alert caregivers immediately when a breathing stop occurs, allowing prompt assessment and intervention. This makes it the most appropriate monitoring device for an infant considered high risk for SIDS, since the primary concern is detecting apnea events that could compromise safety. Other monitors like capnography, oximetry, or transcutaneous devices assess ventilation or oxygenation status but do not provide the same direct, proactive alert for apnea as reliably as an apnea monitor. It’s important to remember that monitoring does not replace safe sleep practices, but for high-risk infants, apnea monitoring targets the specific risk of breathing pauses.