Final answer:
Placing defibrillation pads directly over an implanted medical device can cause malfunction of that device. Defibrillators use a conducting gel to safely transfer energy through the skin to the heart, and proper pad placement is essential to avoid interference with any implanted medical devices.
Step-by-step explanation:
If defibrillation pads are placed directly over an implanted medical device, there is a risk of malfunction of the medical device. When a defibrillator delivers a high-energy electrical shock, it is targeted at resetting the heart's electrical activity to correct arrhythmias. If this electrical discharge interacts with an implanted medical device such as a pacemaker or defibrillator, it could potentially damage the device or alter its function. To mitigate this risk, pads are generally placed away from these devices to ensure effective and safe delivery of the defibrillation therapy.
It is also important to understand that a defibrillator uses conducting gel which plays a critical role in the effective transfer of energy to the body. Without this gel, the resistance of the skin’s path would be much higher, and thus, a significantly higher voltage would be required to achieve the same current, resulting in an increased risk of burns and other complications. This highlights the careful balance between voltage, current, resistance, and safety when using such medical devices.