AED indication

AED indication

• A. On a responsive adult who is not breathing normally.
• B. On an unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally; apply pads as soon as available and follow device prompts.
• C. Only after checking pulse.
• D. After performing rescue breaths, only if the patient is in shock.

Answer: (D)

AED is indicated for an unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally. In that situation, the priority is to start CPR and apply the pads as soon as they’re available, then follow the device prompts. You don’t wait to check for a pulse or to perform rescue breaths before using the AED; the machine will analyze the rhythm and tell you whether a shock is advised. Placing the pads and turning on the device should happen right away, and you continue CPR until the device directs otherwise. The other scenarios— a responsive person, or delaying for a pulse check, or waiting to perform rescue breaths first—do not meet the indication for defibrillation.

AED is indicated for an unresponsive adult who is not breathing normally. In that situation, the priority is to start CPR and apply the pads as soon as they’re available, then follow the device prompts. You don’t wait to check for a pulse or to perform rescue breaths before using the AED; the machine will analyze the rhythm and tell you whether a shock is advised. Placing the pads and turning on the device should happen right away, and you continue CPR until the device directs otherwise. The other scenarios— a responsive person, or delaying for a pulse check, or waiting to perform rescue breaths first—do not meet the indication for defibrillation.