After the AED analyzes and a shockable rhythm is identified, what should you do?

After the AED analyzes and a shockable rhythm is identified, what should you do?

• A. Resume CPR and analyze again
• B. Delay CPR for 60 seconds
• C. Deliver one shock and immediately resume CPR
• D. Check pulse for 30 seconds

Answer: (C)

After a shockable rhythm is identified and you deliver a shock, the priority is to keep blood flowing by immediately resuming chest compressions. This rapid return to CPR helps maintain perfusion to the heart and brain, increasing the chance of return of spontaneous circulation once the heart rhythm stabilizes. You don’t pause to check a pulse or to reanalyze before starting compressions again, because pulse checks during CPR can be unreliable and interrupting compressions lowers effectiveness. The AED will continue to monitor and guide the next steps, including when another shock is indicated after you’ve performed a period of CPR.

After a shockable rhythm is identified and you deliver a shock, the priority is to keep blood flowing by immediately resuming chest compressions. This rapid return to CPR helps maintain perfusion to the heart and brain, increasing the chance of return of spontaneous circulation once the heart rhythm stabilizes. You don’t pause to check a pulse or to reanalyze before starting compressions again, because pulse checks during CPR can be unreliable and interrupting compressions lowers effectiveness. The AED will continue to monitor and guide the next steps, including when another shock is indicated after you’ve performed a period of CPR.