In the management of myocardial infarction, what should you monitor and be prepared to do?

• A. Monitor pulse and breathing and be prepared to give CPR.
• B. Do nothing.
• C. Avoid any checks.
• D. Only monitor blood pressure.

Answer: (A)

In myocardial infarction, the patient can deteriorate rapidly and may progress to cardiac arrest. The essential action is to continuously monitor vital signs, especially the pulse and breathing, because these indicators tell you whether the patient is still circulating and oxygenating or if their condition is worsening. If the pulse or breathing stops, you must start CPR immediately to maintain circulation and oxygen delivery until advanced help arrives. Being able to recognize a collapse and act quickly with CPR (and use an AED if available) can save the patient’s life.

Choices that ignore monitoring or actions—doing nothing, avoiding checks, or focusing only on blood pressure—miss the critical signs of respiratory failure or cardiac arrest. Only monitoring blood pressure fails to detect cessation of heart rhythm or breathing, which are the decisive factors in this scenario.