Final answer:
When a patient presents with apnea and no heartbeat, it is a medical emergency known as cardiac arrest. Immediate intervention is required, typically involving the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient presents with apnea (cessation of breath) and no heartbeat, it is a medical emergency known as cardiac arrest. In this situation, the heart no longer pumps blood or does so poorly. Immediate intervention is required, typically involving the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) which delivers an electrical shock to the heart to correct the abnormal heart rhythm and restore normal function.