Question

You and a team of trained providers are performing CPR on an adult patient. One team member has gone to get additional resources and the AED. Which of the following statements are true about AED use?

-Team members should rotate roles every 2 minutes, which is generally during the AED analysis, to prevent compressor fatigue.
-When the AED arrives, the team should stop CPR to set up the AED and apply the pads.
-The compressor should continue providing compressions until the AED pads are applied and the AED prompts that it is analyzing.
-After the shock is delivered and the AED prompts shock delivered, the team should immediately resume CPR.
-The AED operator and airway manager/ventilator should clear the patient while the AED analyzes, however the compressor should continue giving compressions until the AED prompts shock/no shock advised.

Answer 1

During CPR with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), roles should be rotated every 2 minutes, compressions continue until the AED is ready to analyze, and CPR should resume immediately after a shock without delay.

Step-by-step explanation:

During a cardiac emergency, the use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is paramount. Here are the accurate statements regarding AED use during CPR:

• Team members should rotate roles every 2 minutes, generally during the AED analysis, to prevent compressor fatigue and maintain the quality of chest compressions. This timing also aligns with the typical AED analysis cycle.
• When the AED arrives, the compressor should continue providing compressions until the AED pads are applied and the device is ready to analyze the heart rhythm. Stopping compressions can be detrimental to the patient and should be minimized.
• After the AED delivers a shock and prompts that it has been delivered, the team should immediately resume CPR, starting with chest compressions to ensure circulation of blood containing oxygen and essential nutrients.
• While the AED is analyzing, the AED operator and any assisting personnel should ensure the area is clear, but the person performing compressions should continue until the AED advises whether a shock is needed or not.