Which rhythms are considered shockable in cardiac arrest protocols?

Which rhythms are considered shockable in cardiac arrest protocols?

• A. Atrial Fibrillation & Atrial Flutter
• B. Asystole & PEA
• C. Sinus Tachycardia & Sinus Bradycardia
• D. Ventricular Tachycardia & Ventricular Fibrillation

Answer: (D)

Defibrillation is used in cardiac arrest only for rhythms that produce chaotic, ineffective heartbeats that a shock can interrupt. The only rhythms that fit this scenario are ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. When these rhythms are present, delivering a prompt shock can reset the electrical activity of the ventricles and allow the heart to resume an organized, perfusing rhythm after CPR begins. Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are atrial disturbances; unless they are accompanied by a pulseless VT/VF, they are not treated with shock in this context. Sinus tachycardia and sinus bradycardia are organized rhythms that typically do not require defibrillation. Asystole and pulseless electrical activity reflect either no electrical activity or no effective cardiac output, respectively, and are not treated with a shock—they require CPR, airway management, and medications to support perfusion and address reversible causes.

Defibrillation is used in cardiac arrest only for rhythms that produce chaotic, ineffective heartbeats that a shock can interrupt. The only rhythms that fit this scenario are ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. When these rhythms are present, delivering a prompt shock can reset the electrical activity of the ventricles and allow the heart to resume an organized, perfusing rhythm after CPR begins.

Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are atrial disturbances; unless they are accompanied by a pulseless VT/VF, they are not treated with shock in this context. Sinus tachycardia and sinus bradycardia are organized rhythms that typically do not require defibrillation. Asystole and pulseless electrical activity reflect either no electrical activity or no effective cardiac output, respectively, and are not treated with a shock—they require CPR, airway management, and medications to support perfusion and address reversible causes.