Ace the Basic Life Support (BLS) Challenge 2026 – Breathe Life into Your Skills!

The cessation of effective heart function is characterized by cardiac arrest. During cardiac arrest, the heart is unable to pump blood effectively, leading to a significant drop in blood flow to vital organs, including the brain. This condition, if not treated promptly, can result in death or irreversible damage to critical organs within minutes.

In this context, respiratory failure refers to a situation where the respiratory system fails to maintain adequate gas exchange, but this does not directly pertain to heart function itself. Cardiac rhythm disturbance relates to irregular heartbeats, which may or may not lead to arrest; however, it does not signify a complete lack of heart function. Cerebral arrest pertains more to the cessation of brain activity and is not synonymous with the heart's function. Thus, cardiac arrest is the precise term that refers to the heart's inability to function effectively, making it the correct answer.