What action should be taken regarding CPR if a patient showing signs of cardiac arrest begins to breathe?

When a patient who is in cardiac arrest begins to show signs of spontaneous breathing, the appropriate course of action is to discontinue CPR and monitor the patient. This is because the return of independent breathing indicates that the patient may have regained effective circulation and is beginning to stabilize. It is crucial to place the patient in a recovery position to ensure that their airway remains open and to prevent aspiration, especially if they are unconscious.

Continuous monitoring is essential during this time to detect any changes in the patient's condition, such as the return of consciousness or any complications that may arise. If the patient shows any signs of deterioration, resuming CPR would be necessary.

While continuing CPR or augmenting chest compressions might seem appropriate, it would not be beneficial if the patient is already breathing independently. Alerting emergency services is always a vital step in any emergency response, but once the patient begins to breathe, the immediate focus should be on monitoring and maintaining their airway.