If an assessment of an infant 1 minute after birth results in an APGAR score of 2 (0-3), what action should the therapist take?

A score of 2 on the APGAR assessment indicates that the infant is in critical distress and requires immediate intervention. The APGAR score evaluates five criteria: appearance, pulse, grimace response, activity, and respiration, with each category scored from 0 to 2. A total score of 0 to 3 signifies that the infant is severely depressed and likely needs resuscitation to support breathing and circulation.

In this scenario, the appropriate action is to initiate resuscitation efforts, which may include providing positive pressure ventilation, stimulating the infant to breathe, and administering chest compressions if necessary. The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, as prompt action can significantly improve the infant's chances of survival and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Monitoring vital signs, assessing feeding needs, or providing comfort measures are not suitable responses in this case, as they do not address the immediate life-threatening condition indicated by the low APGAR score.