In cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation, what is the priority action?

In cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation, what is the priority action?

• A. Treating pain
• B. Assessing respirations
• C. Initiating defibrillation
• D. Monitoring blood pressure

Answer: (C)

In ventricular fibrillation the heart’s electrical activity is chaotic and it cannot pump blood, so there’s no effective circulation. The priority is to deliver a defibrillating shock as quickly as possible because defibrillation can terminate the chaotic rhythm and allow the heart’s normal conduction system to resume a usable rhythm. Survival is highest when defibrillation occurs early, so once a defibrillator is ready, shock promptly and then resume high-quality CPR and follow the device prompts. Other actions like addressing pain or monitoring blood pressure don’t restore circulation in this moment and aren’t the immediate focus during an arrest.

In ventricular fibrillation the heart’s electrical activity is chaotic and it cannot pump blood, so there’s no effective circulation. The priority is to deliver a defibrillating shock as quickly as possible because defibrillation can terminate the chaotic rhythm and allow the heart’s normal conduction system to resume a usable rhythm. Survival is highest when defibrillation occurs early, so once a defibrillator is ready, shock promptly and then resume high-quality CPR and follow the device prompts. Other actions like addressing pain or monitoring blood pressure don’t restore circulation in this moment and aren’t the immediate focus during an arrest.