If an assessment of an infant 1 minute after birth gives an APGAR score of 7 (7-10), what should the therapist do?

A score of 7 on the APGAR assessment indicates that the infant is in a generally stable condition and does not require immediate intervention. The APGAR scoring system evaluates five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace response, activity, and respiration, with each criterion scored from 0 to 2. A score of 7 suggests that the infant is breathing adequately, has a good heart rate, and demonstrates appropriate muscle tone, indicating that the infant is responding well after birth.

In this context, routine care will involve monitoring the infant’s vital signs and ensuring that they are transitioning properly outside of the womb. This includes keeping the infant warm, checking their breathing and heart rate, and performing any necessary routine assessments.

Other options like resuscitating or stimulating with O2 would have been appropriate if the APGAR score had been lower (typically below 7), which would indicate potential distress requiring immediate intervention. Similarly, performing a detailed examination may be warranted later on but isn't the priority immediately after an APGAR score in the acceptable range. Therefore, monitoring and providing routine care in the case of a score of 7 is the most suitable approach.