AED Flashcard
Rationale
C. Rationale: If the first shock was a success, the heart would not immediately elicit a perfusing rhythm. To support its function, immediately resuming chest compressions for 2 minutes is still necessary.
Question
After using an AED to deliver a shock to a patient in cardiac arrest, what should be your next action?
a. Check for pulse
b. Check for breathing
c. Chest compressions
d. Positive pressure ventilation
Answer
c. Chest compressions
Rationale
C. Rationale: A dose attenuator is a part of the AED that is attached to the electrodes in the pediatric pads. It significantly reduces the energy to be delivered to infants and children to 35–50 J from the adult dose of 150–360 J. If a dose attenuator is not available, an adult dose may be used for a child.
Question
By what mechanism does the AED convert an adult energy dose to the appropriate pediatric dose?
a. By using the negative electrode in the pad
b. By switching a button in the pad
c. By a dose attenuator attached to the electrode in the pediatric pad
d. By changing the diameter of the wire connecting the AED to the pad
Answer
c. By a dose attenuator attached to the electrode in the pediatric pad
Rationale
B. Rationale: The CPR guidelines recommend pad placement in the anterior-anterior position for older children and adults. However, for infants and small children, the pads are to be placed in an anterior-posterior position due to their small chests.
Question
How are the AED pads placed in an infant or a young child with a small chest?
a. Anterior-anterior
b. Anterior-posterior
c. Posterior-posterior
d. Anterior-lateral
Answer
b. Anterior-posterior
Rationale
B. Rationale: When the pads are too big, the recommended pad placement is the anterior-posterior placement, where one pad is placed on the chest in the front, and the other is placed on the patient’s back approximately in line with the heart.
Question
If the patient’s thorax is too small for both AED pads to fit on the anterior thorax, the pads should be placed:
a. Anterior-anterior
b. Anterior-posterior
c. Cut in half to fit the patient
d. B and C
Answer
b. Anterior-posterior
Rationale
A. Rationale: Cardiac arrest rhythms that need defibrillation are ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia.
Question
In cardiac arrest, which one of the following arrhythmias needs defibrillation?
a. Ventricular fibrillation
b. Asystole
c. Pulseless electrical activity
d. Supraventricular tachycardia
Answer
a. Ventricular fibrillation
Rationale
A. Rationale: The heart needs some time to recover even after the administration of a successful shock. Prompt, high-quality CPR performed for 2 minutes immediately after defibrillation should help the heart achieve a perfusing rhythm before doing the next rhythm check.
Question
The AED is charged, and you are prompted to defibrillate. What is your next step after delivering the initial shock?
a. Perform high-quality CPR
b. Deliver another round of shock
c. Observe the patient
d. Immediately start mouth-to-mouth resuscitation
Answer
a. Perform high-quality CPR
Rationale
C. Rationale: When the electrical energy crosses paths with 100% oxygen, it may cause combustion leading to a fire that may burn the patient. Therefore, before giving the first shock, it is recommended to move sources of 100% oxygen at least 1 meter away from the defibrillator.
Question
The electrical energy from an AED that comes into contact with 100% oxygen may cause:
a. Decreased oxygen concentration
b. Ineffective dose delivery
c. Combustion
d. There is no effect if the electrical energy crosses paths with 100% oxygen
Answer
c. Combustion
Rationale
B. Rationale: Most AED packs contain a razor as part of the routine equipment. It is best to shave off the chest hair, particularly over the area where the AED pads will be placed, to ensure good contact of pads to the skin for proper, accurate, and even delivery of electrical shock energy to the patient. If a razor is not available, DO NOT under any circumstances relocate the two AED pad placement and deliver a shock to any part of the body other than the chest. Instead, attach the AED pads more firmly on the chest, applying more pressure to secure placement.
Question
You are a trained lay rescuer providing conventional CPR to a large man in the airport. The airport staff hands you an AED. You remove the man’s shirt and realize that he has an abundance of chest hairs. What is an important step to remember when attaching AED pads to the patient in preparation for defibrillation?
a. Turn the patient to his belly, place the two AED pads to his back, and then defibrillate through the patient’s back.
b. Use a razor to shave the man’s chest hair, particularly over the area where the AED pads will be placed, then defibrillate.
c. Place the two AED pads over his belly where there is less hair and defibrillate.
d. Place the two AED pads on either side of his chest where there is less hair and defibrillate.
Answer
b. Use a razor to shave the man’s chest hair, particularly over the area where the AED pads will be placed, then defibrillate.
Rationale
A. Rationale: To make sure that a shock is delivered to the patient, remove the transdermal patch and wipe the adhesive thoroughly before placing the AED pad. DO NOT relocate the AED pad placement to accommodate the transdermal patch and deliver a shock to any part of the body other than the chest. The lay rescuer must not defibrillate over the transdermal patch.
Question
You are preparing to apply an AED to a patient in cardiac arrest and notice a transdermal patch over the area where you are to place the AED pads. You should:
a. Remove the transdermal patch and wipe the adhesive before placing the AED pad, and then defibrillate as prompted.
b. Place the AED pad over the patch and defibrillate as prompted.
c. Steer clear of the transdermal patch, place the AED pad in a different location, and defibrillate as prompted.
d. Make do with only one AED pad, leaving the area with the transdermal patch alone, and defibrillate as prompted.
Answer
a. Remove the transdermal patch and wipe the adhesive before placing the AED pad, and then defibrillate as prompted.
Rationale
C. Rationale: The adult pads can be used by applying them to the child’s chest and back. Optimally, pediatric patients should be delivered the appropriate defibrillation dose of 35–50 J. In situations where only the adult pads are available, it is still better to defibrillate the patient, even with the adult dose of 150–360 J, rather than not defibrillating at all. High-quality CPR and early defibrillation translate to a higher chance of survival, especially if performed within 4 minutes of a witnessed cardiac arrest. Furthermore, the energy required to induce damage to the heart is significantly more than the dose used to defibrillate adults.
Question
You are resuscitating a 5-year-old girl. You have provided high-quality CPR and are now ready to defibrillate. The AED given to you has only adult pads. What do you do?
a. Forego the defibrillator and wait for EMS to arrive.
b. Forego the defibrillator and continue CPR instead.
c. Defibrillate the patient using the adult pads with an adult dose.
d. Defibrillate the patient using only one adult pad.
Answer
c. Defibrillate the patient using the adult pads with an adult dose.