AED Flashcard
Rationale
C. Rationale: AED is an abbreviation for automated external defibrillator. It is a medical device that can interpret the patient’s heart rhythm and suggest if the patient has a cardiac arrest rhythm that should be shocked.
Question
AED is an abbreviation for:
a. Automatic electrical discharge
b. Association of emergency doctors
c. Automated external defibrillator
d. Acute electrical deficiency
Answer
c. Automated external defibrillator
Rationale
C. Rationale: The AED is applied as soon as it arrives at the scene. Early defibrillation is key to increasing the chances of survival after cardiac arrest. Defibrillation is most successful when the rescuer defibrillates during the electrical phase of resuscitation. This phase occurs in the first 4 to 5 minutes after cardiac arrest.
Question
In a witnessed cardiac arrest, rescuers should apply an AED to the patient:
a. When paramedics arrive
b. When a person with training is available
c. As soon as the AED arrives
d. After five cycles of chest compressions
Answer
c. As soon as the AED arrives
Rationale
False. Rationale: If an AED does not have a pediatric mode or dose attenuation, the rescuer should still proceed with using the adult AED.
Question
If the AED does not have a dose attenuating mode, you should not use the AED on a pediatric patient.
a. True
b. False
Answer
b. False
Rationale
C. Rationale: The heart takes time to recover into a perfusing rhythm after giving a successful shock. Therefore, according to the American Heart Association Basic Life Support guidelines, it is advised to provide chest compressions to circulate blood to the myocardium before performing a pulse check.
Question
You apply an AED to a patient rescued from drowning and give a shock. What is your next course of action?
a. Give another shock until the patient responds.
b. Perform a pulse check.
c. Resume CPR for 2 minutes.
d. Insert an advanced airway.
Answer
c. Resume CPR for 2 minutes.
Rationale
B. Rationale: The American Heart Association BLS guidelines recommend using the AED as soon as it is available. Witnessed cardiac arrests are most likely due to shockable rhythms such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. The treatment is immediate defibrillation to convert the rhythm to a perfusing normal sinus rhythm.
Question
You are performing high-quality CPR on a 34-year-old electrician in cardiac arrest after being shocked by a high-tension wire. You haven’t yet completed the 2 minutes of chest compressions, but an AED is already attached to the patient. What is your next course of action?
a. Complete the cycle of chest compressions
b. Activate the AED at once
c. Perform compression-only CPR
d. Insert an advanced airway as soon as possible
Answer
b. Activate the AED at once
Rationale
B. Rationale: The key to performing basic life support is the immediate utilization of an AED. The most common cause of sudden cardiac arrest is due to a shockable cardiac arrest rhythm.
Question
You are rescuing a 62-year-old man who was clutching his chest before collapsing and losing consciousness in an airplane. He has abnormal breathing and no pulse. You begin chest compressions. After 30 seconds of chest compressions, an AED is available. What is your next course of action?
a. Complete at least 2 minutes of chest compressions before applying the AED.
b. Apply the AED for the immediate delivery of a shock.
c. Give mouth-to-mouth ventilation at a ratio of 30 chest compressions to 2 ventilations.
d. Perform a precordial thump and continue chest compressions.
Answer
b. Apply the AED for the immediate delivery of a shock.
Rationale
B. Rationale: If the self-adhesive pad is too large for the patient, the clinician should place one pad on the anterior chest and the other pad on the posterior chest.
Question
You realize that the pads in the AED unit are too big for the pediatric patient’s chest when applied side by side. In this case, you should:
a. Apply the pads side by side anyway.
b. Place one pad on the anterior chest and the other pad on the back.
c. Do not use the AED unit because it’s for adult use only.
d. Look for another AED with infant pads.
Answer
b. Place one pad on the anterior chest and the other pad on the back.