Final answer:
Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening condition where the heart beats in an uncoordinated manner; it is typically treated with defibrillation using an AED to restore normal heart rhythm.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is characterized by the heart beating in a rapid, uncoordinated manner, disrupting the heart's ability to effectively pump blood. This condition is a serious medical emergency often called "code blue" in a hospital setting and can lead to brain death if not treated quickly.
The most common treatment for VF is defibrillation, which involves the use of special paddles to deliver an electrical shock in hopes of reestablishing a normal sinus rhythm. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) have been developed for use by the general public and can provide verbal instructions to assist a nonmedical person during a cardiac emergency.