When should the rescuer operating the AED clear the victim?
A While the pads are being applied and after shock delivery
B Before shock delivery
C During analysis and before shock delivery
D While the AED is being powered on and before analysis
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is C: During analysis and before shock delivery.
Explanation:
An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is used in cases of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) to restore normal heart rhythm. The AED analyzes the heart’s rhythm to determine if a shock is needed to reset the heart. It is crucial that the rescuer follows specific steps to ensure the victim’s safety while using the AED.
The primary purpose of “clearing” the victim is to prevent any accidental interference with the AED’s electrical shock. When the AED is delivering a shock, it sends a controlled electrical current through the body to the heart to correct abnormal rhythms (such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia). Any physical contact with the victim during the shock delivery could result in harm to the rescuer, alter the shock’s effectiveness, or cause injury to bystanders.
Why the correct answer is C:
- During analysis and before shock delivery is the correct time to clear the victim. This ensures that no one is touching the victim when the AED is analyzing the heart rhythm. If a shock is needed, clearing the victim ensures that the electrical shock can be delivered safely and effectively.
- Before shock delivery: Once the AED analyzes the rhythm and determines a shock is needed, the AED prompts the rescuer to ensure everyone is clear. The rescuer should verbally warn bystanders and step back, ensuring no contact with the victim.
- Analysis phase: The AED conducts its rhythm analysis. At this point, it’s essential that no one touches the victim, as movement or contact could interfere with the analysis and lead to inaccurate results.
Why the other answers are incorrect:
- A (While the pads are being applied and after shock delivery): The pads should be applied to the victim before analysis, and clearing is important before shock delivery. After shock delivery, no further immediate action regarding “clearing” is necessary.
- B (Before shock delivery): This is partially correct because you need to clear the victim before the shock is delivered, but the critical time to clear is during the analysis phase when the AED is checking the heart’s rhythm.
- D (While the AED is being powered on and before analysis): The AED can be powered on without needing to clear the victim, but it is necessary to clear the victim before the AED analyzes the rhythm and before shock delivery.
In summary, the safest and most effective time to clear the victim is during the rhythm analysis phase and immediately before the shock is delivered, to ensure the shock is delivered without interference.