Your patient is in cardiac arrest and you detect a faint pulse after CPR. What is your next action?

In the scenario where a patient is in cardiac arrest and a faint pulse is detected after CPR, the appropriate next step is to assist respirations via bag-valve mask. This is crucial because even if a faint pulse is felt, the patient may not be adequately breathing or may need assistance to ensure adequate oxygenation. The presence of a faint pulse indicates that there may be some perfusion; however, it does not guarantee that the patient is breathing effectively on their own.

By using a bag-valve mask, you can provide ventilations and ensure that oxygen is delivered to the lungs, which is essential for brain and organ function. Delivering positive pressure ventilations can help revive spontaneous circulation and improve the chance of survival until more advanced interventions can be implemented.

Continuing CPR without interruption or administering a shock would not address the immediate need for oxygenation if the patient is not breathing adequately. Inserting an oropharyngeal airway could be necessary for airway management, but if the patient is not breathing, assisting with ventilations is the priority to restore effective oxygenation.