BLS Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Use 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An AED is available but the victim has an implanted pacemaker or ICD visible under the skin on the chest. Where should the AED pad be placed?
- Directly over the implanted device
- At least 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the implanted device (Correct answer)
- On the victim's back only
- Do not use the AED if an ICD is present
Correct answer: At least 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the implanted device
AED pads should be placed at least 1 inch away from implanted pacemakers or ICDs to prevent interference with pad contact and effective defibrillation.
Question 2: Which of the following is TRUE about using an AED on an infant under 1 year of age?
- Use adult pads with no modification
- A manual defibrillator is preferred; if unavailable, use AED with pediatric pads or attenuator (Correct answer)
- AEDs are contraindicated in all infants
- Use AED but increase the energy dose
Correct answer: A manual defibrillator is preferred; if unavailable, use AED with pediatric pads or attenuator
A manual defibrillator is preferred for infants under 1 year; if unavailable, use an AED with pediatric pads or a dose attenuator, or adult pads as a last resort.
Question 3: After EMS arrives and takes over, the AED is still attached. What should the rescuer do?
- Remove the AED pads immediately
- Leave the AED attached and hand over to EMS, providing a summary of events (Correct answer)
- Turn the AED off to save battery
- Continue operating the AED independently
Correct answer: Leave the AED attached and hand over to EMS, providing a summary of events
Leave the AED attached and brief EMS on the number of shocks delivered, CPR performed, and timeline of events for continuity of care.
Question 4: A victim is wearing a wet shirt. What should you do before applying AED pads?
- Apply pads over the wet clothing
- Remove or cut the shirt and dry the chest before applying pads (Correct answer)
- Use extra tape to hold the pads over the wet clothing
- Deliver the shock without pad attachment
Correct answer: Remove or cut the shirt and dry the chest before applying pads
Clothing and moisture must be removed from the chest to ensure proper pad adhesion and accurate rhythm analysis.
Question 5: What is the correct sequence when using an AED as part of the BLS Chain of Survival?
- Recognize arrest → Call 911 → Start CPR → Use AED → Advanced care (Correct answer)
- Call 911 → Use AED → Start CPR → Advanced care
- Start CPR → Use AED → Call 911 → Advanced care
- Use AED → Call 911 → Start CPR → Advanced care
Correct answer: Recognize arrest → Call 911 → Start CPR → Use AED → Advanced care
The correct BLS sequence is: recognize cardiac arrest, call 911, start high-quality CPR, use AED as soon as available, then transfer to advanced care.
Question 6: You deliver a shock and the victim shows signs of life (breathing, movement). What should you do?
- Remove AED pads and discontinue monitoring
- Place the victim in recovery position if breathing normally and leave AED attached (Correct answer)
- Begin CPR regardless of signs of life
- Deliver a second shock to confirm the rhythm is stable
Correct answer: Place the victim in recovery position if breathing normally and leave AED attached
If the victim resumes normal breathing and has signs of life, place them in the recovery position (if no suspected spinal injury) and keep AED attached until EMS arrives.
Question 7: What is ventricular fibrillation (VF), and why is it the primary rhythm treated by an AED?
- A slow but organized heart rhythm that responds to medication
- Chaotic, disorganized electrical activity in the ventricles that prevents effective pumping, corrected by shock (Correct answer)
- A rhythm that causes high blood pressure
- An atrial rhythm that AEDs detect but do not treat
Correct answer: Chaotic, disorganized electrical activity in the ventricles that prevents effective pumping, corrected by shock
VF is chaotic electrical activity that prevents the heart from pumping blood; defibrillation delivers a shock to reset the heart's electrical system and restore an organized rhythm.
BLS Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Use 4
An AED is available but the victim has an implanted pacemaker or ICD visible under the skin on the chest.
Where should the AED pad be placed?