The nurse is providing an educational seminar to a group of nursing students on the advantages of using an automated external defibrillator (AED). She knows that her teaching has been effective when the students reply:

Question

a. "Health care providers do not need to learn CPR to use the AED."
b. "The health care provider is given a printout of the rhythm change."
c. "The health care provider can safely use both CPR skills and AED skills."
d. "The health care provider can adjust the level of shock administered."

Answer 1

C
The advantage of the AED is that laypeople or health care providers trained in basic life support, who have less training than ACLS personnel, can defibrillate. AEDs eliminate the need for training in rhythm interpretation and make early defibrillation practical and achievable. The AED is an automated external defibrillator that incorporates a rhythm analysis system. Upon rhythm identification, some AEDs will automatically provide the electrical shock after a verbal warning (fully automated). Other AEDs will recommend a shock, if needed, and then will prompt the responder to press the shock button. The provider does not need to adjust anything.