What action is taken if a patient is in cardiac arrest and has a pulse?

In a scenario where a patient is in cardiac arrest but still has a pulse, the immediate action is to provide high-quality rescue breaths. This is vital because although the heart may still be beating, the patient is unable to breathe effectively on their own, which can lead to inadequate oxygenation of the body's vital organs. High-quality rescue breaths help to deliver necessary oxygen to the lungs and, by extension, the bloodstream, maintaining crucial oxygen levels during this critical time.

Providing rescue breaths not only supports the patient's oxygenation but also aids in reversing the potential consequences of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) that can occur when a patient is in a state of cardiac arrest. It is important to focus on ventilatory support while monitoring the patient's pulse and overall condition, as this can help stabilize them until further advanced care, such as defibrillation or medications, can be administered by professionals trained in advanced life support.

The other options would not be appropriate in this context. Initiating CPR immediately would typically apply to situations where there is no pulse. Administering medications is often done at a later stage or by advanced care providers. Waiting for advanced care to arrive without first providing some form of treatment would not be beneficial and may worsen the patient's condition.