AED Quiz: Shock or No Shock? Test Your Judgment

1. Which cardiac rhythm is most responsive to defibrillation?

Ventricular fibrillation

Asystole

Pulseless electrical activity

Bradycardia

2. What is the primary goal of defibrillation?

Restart the heart immediately

Depolarize the myocardium to terminate disorganized electrical activity

Increase heart rate

Lower blood pressure

3. An unresponsive, pulseless patient has a rhythm showing coarse waves on the monitor. Should an AED deliver a shock?

Yes, this is ventricular fibrillation

No, this is asystole

No, this requires medications only

Yes, but only after 3 minutes of CPR

4. What is asystole and is it shockable?

Organized rhythm; yes, shock immediately

Disorganized rhythm; yes, shock immediately

Flat line with no electrical activity; no, not shockable

Slow organized rhythm; no, not shockable

5. A patient has pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Should the AED deliver a shock?

Yes, always

No, PEA is not a shockable rhythm

Yes, but only if the monitor shows organized complexes

No, but aggressive CPR and medications are needed

6. What does the term 'shockable rhythm' refer to in cardiac arrest?

Any rhythm with a pulse

Ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia

Any rhythm requiring chest compressions

Bradycardic rhythms

7. How does the standard defibrillator dose for adults compare to pediatric patients?

Adults receive half the energy

Adults receive the same energy as children

Adults receive higher energy (biphasic 200 J or equivalent)

Energy level does not vary by age

8. A patient has a heart rate of 35 bpm with a regular rhythm and a pulse. Should an AED shock this patient?

Yes, bradycardia is shockable

No, this patient has a perfusing rhythm and a pulse

Yes, but only if unresponsive

No, bradycardia requires pacing only

9. What is the primary advantage of biphasic defibrillators over monophasic defibrillators?

Biphasic uses lower energy with improved outcomes

Biphasic delivers only one shock

Monophasic is more effective for asystole

Biphasic requires higher energy levels

10. During defibrillation, the current flow is interrupted briefly. What is this pause primarily used for?

Allow patient assessment

Reset the defibrillator

Prevent staff injury

All of the above

11. A patient converts from ventricular fibrillation to an organized rhythm with a palpable pulse after defibrillation. What is this outcome called?

Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)

Defibrillation success

Rhythm conversion

Electrical stability

Submit

13. True or False: An AED can be used safely on a patient with a transdermal medication patch on the chest.

True

False

14. What is the recommended interval for CPR between defibrillation attempts if no ROSC is achieved?

Every 1 minute

Every 2 minutes

Every 5 minutes

Continuous without interruption

15. A patient has fine ventricular fibrillation (low-amplitude waves). Should defibrillation be attempted?

No, fine VF is not shockable

Yes, but CPR should precede shock by 1-2 minutes

Yes, immediately without delay

No, medications must be given first