New York State Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) Practice Exam

What is one reason for using an automated external defibrillator (AED)?

1. To monitor heart rate continuously

2. To detect a shockable rhythm in a patient

3. To provide medication delivery during cardiac arrest

4. To establish a patient's airway

The correct answer is: To detect a shockable rhythm in a patient

Using an automated external defibrillator (AED) is primarily aimed at detecting a shockable rhythm in a patient experiencing a cardiac arrest. The AED is designed to analyze the heart rhythm and determine whether it is arrhythmic, specifically looking for rhythms like ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia that can benefit from defibrillation. If a shockable rhythm is identified, the AED delivers an electric shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm, which is often crucial in increasing the chances of survival. In contrast, other options do not align with the primary function of an AED. Monitoring heart rate continuously is a function of different devices, such as cardiac monitors or telemetry systems. Providing medication delivery during cardiac arrest is not a role of the AED; instead, medications are typically administered by advanced life support providers. Establishing a patient's airway is a critical intervention in emergency care, but it falls under basic airway management techniques, which are separate from the function of an AED. Thus, detecting a shockable rhythm remains the central purpose of using an AED in emergency scenarios.