Question

EMS personnel arrive to find a patient in cardiac arrest. Bystanders are performing CPR. After attaching a cardiac monitor, the responder observes the rhythm strip shown above. What is the most important early intervention?

(V-fib)

Answer 1

For a patient in cardiac arrest with V-fib on a rhythm strip, early defibrillation using an AED is the most important intervention. This can terminate the arrhythmia and allow normal heart rhythm to resume. Prior to defibrillation, CPR is recommended to maintain vital blood flow.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important early intervention for a patient found in cardiac arrest with a rhythm strip indicating ventricular fibrillation (V-fib) is defibrillation. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel should immediately use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to deliver an electrical shock to the heart. The purpose of this intervention is to terminate the arrhythmia and allow the body's natural pacemaker to re-establish a normal heart rhythm. Defibrillators, particularly AEDs, are portable devices found in many public places that can diagnose heart rhythms and deliver a shock with appropriate energy and waveform. Prior to defibrillation, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is often recommended to maintain blood flow to vital organs.