If a patient is found apneic with a pulse, what is the immediate action to take?

When a patient is found apneic but has a pulse, the priority is to ensure adequate oxygenation and ventilation. In this scenario, ventilating the patient with a bag-valve mask is the most appropriate immediate action.

The bag-valve mask is designed to provide positive pressure ventilation to a patient who is not breathing effectively on their own. By administering positive pressure breaths, you can help deliver oxygen to the lungs, promoting gas exchange despite the patient's inability to initiate breaths. This is crucial in preventing hypoxia, which can quickly become life-threatening.

It is important to note that while calling for advanced medical support is necessary in many situations, it does not provide immediate assistance in terms of ventilation. Administering oral glucose is applicable for patients with altered mental status due to hypoglycemia, which is not the case here. Beginning CPR is indicated if there is no pulse, but since the patient does have a pulse, this is not warranted. Therefore, utilizing the bag-valve mask for ventilation is the critical intervention in this scenario.