After the AED pads are attached to the victim's bare chest and ventricular fibrillation is detected, what is the next step?

After the AED pads are attached to the victim's bare chest and ventricular fibrillation is detected, what is the next step?

• A. Deliver a shock immediately
• B. Check for a pulse
• C. Follow the AED prompts
• D. Resume CPR

Answer: (C)

When an AED is in use, the immediate next step after pads are placed and ventricular fibrillation is detected is to follow the AED prompts. The device analyzes the heart rhythm and then instructs you what to do next—whether to deliver a shock and when, or to continue CPR. You should only act on the device’s instruction; this ensures you shock at the correct moment and that no one is touching the patient during shock delivery. If the AED indicates to resume CPR, do so right away after any shock or as directed. This is why simply delivering a shock immediately, or checking for a pulse manually, or resuming CPR without following the device’s prompts aren’t the right moves—the device guides the exact sequence.

When an AED is in use, the immediate next step after pads are placed and ventricular fibrillation is detected is to follow the AED prompts. The device analyzes the heart rhythm and then instructs you what to do next—whether to deliver a shock and when, or to continue CPR. You should only act on the device’s instruction; this ensures you shock at the correct moment and that no one is touching the patient during shock delivery. If the AED indicates to resume CPR, do so right away after any shock or as directed. This is why simply delivering a shock immediately, or checking for a pulse manually, or resuming CPR without following the device’s prompts aren’t the right moves—the device guides the exact sequence.