What happens during a cardiac arrest?

During a cardiac arrest, the heart stops functioning effectively, leading to a cessation of blood circulation. This can occur due to various reasons, often including an underlying heart condition, trauma, or a serious medical emergency. When the heart stops pumping blood, oxygenated blood is no longer delivered to vital organs, which can result in unconsciousness and quickly lead to irreversible damage or death if not treated immediately.

The other options do not accurately describe what occurs during a cardiac arrest. For instance, a grand mal seizure pertains to a specific neurological event, not directly tied to heart function. Similarly, while a blocked airway may cause respiration to stop, it is not the defining characteristic of cardiac arrest. Lastly, pulse and respiration increasing rapidly is typical of other conditions, such as acute distress or over-exertion, rather than the state of cardiac arrest, where both functions actually cease.