If the AED indicates a shock is advised, which rhythm is the patient most likely in?

If the AED indicates a shock is advised, which rhythm is the patient most likely in?

• A. Ventricular fibrillation.
• B. Asystole.
• C. Pulseless electrical activity.
• D. Normal sinus rhythm.

Answer: (A)

When an AED says a shock is advised, you’re dealing with a shockable rhythm—the heart’s electrical activity is disorganized in a way that defibrillation can reset. The classic example is ventricular fibrillation, where the ventricles quiver rapidly without any coordinated rhythm, producing no effective pulse or circulation. Delivering a shock aims to stop this chaotic activity so the heart can reestablish an organized beat. By contrast, asystole has no electrical activity, and pulseless electrical activity shows some electrical activity but no effective pumping; both are non-shockable. Normal sinus rhythm is already organized and would not require a shock. So, the rhythm most likely present when a shock is advised is ventricular fibrillation.

When an AED says a shock is advised, you’re dealing with a shockable rhythm—the heart’s electrical activity is disorganized in a way that defibrillation can reset. The classic example is ventricular fibrillation, where the ventricles quiver rapidly without any coordinated rhythm, producing no effective pulse or circulation. Delivering a shock aims to stop this chaotic activity so the heart can reestablish an organized beat. By contrast, asystole has no electrical activity, and pulseless electrical activity shows some electrical activity but no effective pumping; both are non-shockable. Normal sinus rhythm is already organized and would not require a shock. So, the rhythm most likely present when a shock is advised is ventricular fibrillation.