During an in-hospital cardiac arrest response, what should the resuscitation team ensure is in progress immediately?

High-quality CPR is the cornerstone of effective management during an in-hospital cardiac arrest. It is crucial for maintaining blood flow to vital organs and increasing the chances of a successful resuscitation. Immediate initiation of high-quality CPR ensures that compressions are being delivered at the correct depth and rate, with minimal interruptions, which helps sustain circulation until advanced life support measures can be implemented.

In this scenario, focusing on high-quality CPR aligns with established guidelines that prioritize rapid intervention to maximize the likelihood of returning spontaneous circulation. The first few minutes of cardiac arrest are critical, and prompt, effective CPR significantly improves outcomes for patients. Advanced interventions can be initiated simultaneously, but without high-quality CPR, those measures may be less effective.

The other options, while potentially important in certain situations, do not compare in urgency during the initial response to a cardiac arrest. Patient sedation is not immediately relevant in this context, fluid resuscitation is typically not a primary action in cardiac arrest management, and elective surgery is inappropriate and irrelevant during an emergency situation.