Final answer:
AEDs are safe to use on pregnant women with proper pad placement, patients with pacemakers or ICDs if pads are not directly above the device, when jewelry is not in the path of the pads, and on metal surfaces if precautions are taken. Use of AEDs near flammable materials or in water necessitates caution and possibly moving the patient first. CPR is often recommended before AED application.
Step-by-step explanation:
Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are critical life-saving devices used to correct abnormal heart rhythms, particularly cardiac or ventricular fibrillation. For an AED to be used safely, certain conditions must be met:
- It is safe to use an AED on a pregnant patient as long as AED pads do not incorporate breast tissue.
- If a patient has a pacemaker or ICD, place the AED pads at least one inch away from the device to avoid interference with the shock.
- In the presence of jewelry or body piercings, avoid placing pads directly over metallic objects to prevent burns.
- A patient lying on a metal surface can be defibrillated safely provided that the AED pads do not touch the metal, and no one is in contact with the patient during the defibrillation process.
Scenarios involving flammable or combustible materials like free-flowing oxygen, or a large puddle of water, require caution. In such cases, it is best to move the patient to a safer area if possible before using the AED. CPR is also recommended before the application of an AED in many scenarios to improve the chances of survival.