CPR AED Advanced 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient in cardiac arrest is lying in a small puddle of water. What should you do before applying the AED?
- Move the patient to a dry area or wipe the chest dry (Correct answer)
- Apply the pads anyway since water improves conductivity
- Wait for the puddle to evaporate
- Pour saline on the chest first
Correct answer: Move the patient to a dry area or wipe the chest dry
Standing water can divert the shock across the skin, so move the patient to a dry surface and dry the chest before placing pads.
Question 2: The AED advises 'no shock advised' but the patient remains unresponsive and pulseless. What is the next step?
- Immediately resume CPR starting with chest compressions (Correct answer)
- Remove the pads and stop
- Deliver a manual shock
- Wait 5 minutes before reassessing
Correct answer: Immediately resume CPR starting with chest compressions
A 'no shock advised' message means continue high-quality CPR and follow the AED's reanalysis prompts.
Question 3: An AED's battery indicator shows low charge during a routine check. What is the appropriate action?
- Replace the battery and document the maintenance (Correct answer)
- Use the device until it dies
- Ignore it until the next monthly check
- Recharge it with a household charger
Correct answer: Replace the battery and document the maintenance
A low battery must be replaced promptly so the AED is ready for an emergency.
Question 4: Why should AED pads be placed at least one inch away from an implanted pacemaker?
- To prevent the device from blocking shock delivery to the heart (Correct answer)
- Because pacemakers explode under shock
- To avoid damaging the AED
- Pacemakers must always be removed first
Correct answer: To prevent the device from blocking shock delivery to the heart
Placing a pad directly over an implant can reduce shock effectiveness, so offset the pad about an inch.
Question 5: For a child between 1 and 8 years old, what is the preferred AED configuration?
- Pediatric pads or a pediatric dose attenuator if available (Correct answer)
- Adult pads at full energy always
- No AED should ever be used on children
- Two adult AEDs simultaneously
Correct answer: Pediatric pads or a pediatric dose attenuator if available
Pediatric pads or an attenuator reduce the energy to a level appropriate for a child.
Question 6: If pediatric pads are unavailable for a 4-year-old in arrest, what should you do?
- Use adult pads, placing one on the chest and one on the back if needed to avoid overlap (Correct answer)
- Withhold defibrillation entirely
- Cut the adult pads in half
- Wait for EMS to bring pediatric pads
Correct answer: Use adult pads, placing one on the chest and one on the back if needed to avoid overlap
Adult pads may be used on a child when pediatric pads are unavailable, positioned front-and-back to prevent touching.
Question 7: What should rescuers do at the moment the AED says 'analyzing rhythm'?
- Ensure no one is touching the patient and stop CPR briefly (Correct answer)
- Continue compressions through the analysis
- Lift the patient's legs
- Disconnect the pads
Correct answer: Ensure no one is touching the patient and stop CPR briefly
Contact during analysis can cause artifact and a wrong rhythm interpretation, so everyone must stay clear.
CPR AED Advanced 2
A patient in cardiac arrest is lying in a small puddle of water.
What should you do before applying the AED?