When the pads are in place, the
AED automatically measures the person’s heart rhythm
and determines if a shock is needed. If it is, the machine tells the user to stand back and push a button to deliver the shock. The AED is programmed not to deliver a shock if a shock isn’t needed.
How do Aeds determine the need for shock?
When the pads are in place, the
AED automatically measures the person’s heart rhythm
and determines if a shock is needed. If it is, the machine tells the user to stand back and push a button to deliver the shock. The AED is programmed not to deliver a shock if a shock isn’t needed.
Can an AED recognize a shockable rhythm?
The
AED is only able to interpret the electrical activity of the heart
. We still must ensure pulse checks are done, as one of the shockable rhythms is able to have a pulse with it.
What rhythms can an AED detect?
An AED or Automated External Defibrillator is a portable electronic device used during CPR. It diagnoses cardiac arrhythmias. Specifically, it detects an arrhythmia called
ventricular fibrillation (V-Fib or VF for short)
.
Under what conditions might an AED not shock a person?
An AED will not shock
a person whose heart is not in a shockable rhythm
, even if the shock button is pushed. Use an AED as soon as it is available. Place the AED near the victim’s head and turn on the unit by pushing a button, lifting the lid or pulling the handle.
What are the 3 shockable rhythms?
Shockable Rhythms:
Ventricular Tachycardia, Ventricular Fibrillation, Supraventricular Tachycardia
. Much of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) is about determining the right medication to use at the appropriate time and deciding when to defibrillate.
What is the 1st thing you do to prepare the AED?
- 1Turn on the AED and follow the visual and/or audio prompts.
- 2 Open the person’s shirt and wipe his or her bare chest dry. …
- 3 Attach the AED pads, and plug in the connector (if necessary).
- 4Make sure no one is, including you, is touching the person.
What happens if you touch victim while AED is delivering shock?
Electricity will take the path of least resistance, so if there is water on the chest then
the shock will travel through
the water instead of the heart muscle. No one should touch the victim during delivery of the electrical shock by an AED. The AED will instruct everyone to stand clear.
What do you do immediately after AED shocks?
Begin CPR
after delivering the shock. If no shock is advised, begin CPR right away. Perform 2 minutes (about 5 cycles) of CPR and continue to follow the AEDs prompts. If you notice obvious signs of life, discontinue CPR and monitor breathing for any changes in condition.
What is the most common reason for CPR to be unsuccessful?
Common errors include
slow chest compression rates
, shallow chest compression depths, hyperventilation, long pauses in CPR before shock delivery, and delivery of electrical defibrillation for non-shockable rhythms.
What are the 7 steps of using an AED?
- Check unresponsiveness.
- Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number (if applicable) and retrieve the AED.
- Open the airway and check for breathing. …
- Check for a pulse. …
- Attach the AED electrode pads.
- Analyze the heart rhythm. …
- Press the “shock” button, if advised.
What are the 4 special situations you should look for before using an AED?
- Excessive chest hair. If the victim has a hairy chest you will need to remove the hair prior to placing the AED pads on the victim’s chest. …
- Medication Patches. …
- Water and/or sweat. …
- Pacemakers or Defibrillators. …
- Fully Automated AED.
What happens if you shock a non shockable rhythm?
A single shock will cause nearly half of cases to revert to a more normal rhythm with restoration of circulation if given within a few minutes of onset.
Pulseless electrical activity and asystole or flatlining
(3 and 4), in contrast, are non-shockable, so they don’t respond to defibrillation.
What are the 5 lethal rhythms?
You will learn about
Premature Ventricular Contractions, Ventricular Tachycardia, Ventricular Fibrillation, Pulseless Electrical Activity, Agonal Rhythms, and Asystole
. You will learn how to detect the warning signs of these rhythms, how to quickly interpret the rhythm, and to prioritize your nursing interventions.
Do you shock VT with a pulse?
Under current resuscitation guidelines symptomatic ventricular tachycardia (VT) with a palpable pulse is
treated
with synchronised cardioversion to avoid inducing ventricular fibrillation (VF), whilst pulseless VT is treated as VF with rapid administration of full defibrillation energy unsynchronised shocks.
Can you shock a flatline?
Defibrillation is not recommended
, despite commonly appearing on medical dramas as a remedy for asystole, but can be used for certain other causes of cardiac arrest.
