Final answer:
If the AED does not advise a shock for a patient in cardiac arrest, you should continue CPR. The AED not recommending a shock suggests that the rhythm is not shockable. It is essential to maintain chest compressions to ensure blood flow to the brain and other organs.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you are on the scene where a 65-year-old female patient is in cardiac arrest and CPR is in progress, and the AED (Automated External Defibrillator) does not advise a shock, your next intervention should be to continue CPR. Automated external defibrillators are commonly carried on ambulances and found in many public places, designed to be used by anyone. The AED automatically diagnoses the patient's heart rhythm and, if appropriate, delivers a shock.
However, in cases where the AED does not recommend a shock, it indicates that the heart rhythm is not one that is correctable by defibrillation (e.g., asystole or an organized rhythm without a pulse). Therefore, the focus must return to providing high-quality chest compressions to maintain blood flow, particularly to critical organs like the brain. Stopping CPR or placing the patient in the recovery position would be inappropriate, as would be replacing the AED, assuming it is functioning correctly. Inserting a Combitube, or any advanced airway, might be considered, but only if you are trained and it does not interfere with the delivery of continuous high-quality chest compressions.