Question

The medical direction physician orders you to deliver additional shocks to a patient in cardiac arrest while en route to the hospital. What is the correct procedure to follow?

A) wait for the arrival of the ACLS system.
B) deliver the shocks without stopping CPR.
C) stop the vehicle before reanalyzing the rhythm.
D) refuse to defibrillate the patient while en route.

Answer 1

Deliver the additional shocks as ordered by the physician without stopping CPR, as this is in line with the functionality of modern AEDs equipped in ambulances.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a medical direction physician orders the delivery of additional shocks to a patient in cardiac arrest while en route to the hospital, you should deliver the shocks without stopping CPR. Modern automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are designed to analyze the patient's heart rhythm and administer shocks with the appropriate energy and waveform. It is crucial to continue CPR during this process to maintain blood flow to the patient's brain and other vital organs until a normal heart rhythm is restored. Moreover, ambulances are typically equipped with these devices, enabling paramedics to provide this lifesaving treatment on the move.