In cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation, what is the priority action?

Enhance your preparation for the HESI exam with targeted questions and detailed explanations. Utilize practice quizzes to grasp essential concepts and improve your readiness for success.

Multiple Choice

In cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation, what is the priority action?

Explanation:
In ventricular fibrillation the heart’s electrical activity is chaotic and it cannot pump blood, so there’s no effective circulation. The priority is to deliver a defibrillating shock as quickly as possible because defibrillation can terminate the chaotic rhythm and allow the heart’s normal conduction system to resume a usable rhythm. Survival is highest when defibrillation occurs early, so once a defibrillator is ready, shock promptly and then resume high-quality CPR and follow the device prompts. Other actions like addressing pain or monitoring blood pressure don’t restore circulation in this moment and aren’t the immediate focus during an arrest.

In ventricular fibrillation the heart’s electrical activity is chaotic and it cannot pump blood, so there’s no effective circulation. The priority is to deliver a defibrillating shock as quickly as possible because defibrillation can terminate the chaotic rhythm and allow the heart’s normal conduction system to resume a usable rhythm. Survival is highest when defibrillation occurs early, so once a defibrillator is ready, shock promptly and then resume high-quality CPR and follow the device prompts. Other actions like addressing pain or monitoring blood pressure don’t restore circulation in this moment and aren’t the immediate focus during an arrest.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy