If a patient’s pulse becomes absent after assessing them for 2 minutes in respiratory arrest, what should you do?

Starting CPR immediately is the correct response when a patient's pulse becomes absent after assessing them for 2 minutes in respiratory arrest. When a patient is not breathing and then loses their pulse, it indicates that the heart has stopped beating, leading to the potential for cardiac arrest. CPR is critical in this situation because it helps maintain blood flow to vital organs, including the heart and brain, until advanced medical help can arrive.

Performing CPR consists of chest compressions and, if trained, rescue breaths, which together can significantly increase the chances of survival by providing oxygenated blood to the body's essential organs. It is crucial to act swiftly because every second counts in such emergencies.

While calling emergency services is an important step, it should ideally be done simultaneously with initiating CPR, especially in a healthcare context where the goal is to respond immediately. Monitoring for breathing or administering oxygen alone would not be sufficient since the absence of a pulse indicates the need for immediate intervention to restore circulation.