What type of rhythm should the AED look for in a patient?

The AED is designed to identify specific chaotic heart rhythms that are indicative of life-threatening conditions requiring defibrillation. The correct response focuses on shockable rhythms, specifically ventricular fibrillation (VF) and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). These rhythms reflect a lack of effective heart function, where the heart is quivering or beating wildly without the ability to pump blood effectively.

When an AED analyzes a patient's heart rhythm, it searches for these shockable rhythms to deliver a therapeutic electrical shock. This shock can help to restore a normal heartbeat by disrupting the erratic electrical activity of the heart, allowing it to re-establish a coordinated rhythm.

In contrast, other types of rhythms listed do not respond to defibrillation. Normal sinus rhythm is the healthy state of the heart, and while it represents normalcy, it does not require intervention. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) indicates that electrical activity is present without an effective pulse, but this situation cannot be treated with an AED shock. Bradycardia, characterized by a slow heart rate, may or may not require intervention depending on the patient's condition but does not warrant defibrillation. Thus, the AED's focus on shockable rhythms like ventricular fibrillation is crucial for improving survival