In cardiac arrest with shockable rhythms, when should defibrillation be performed?

In cardiac arrest with shockable rhythms, when should defibrillation be performed?

• A. After confirming there is no pulse.
• B. After completing one cycle of CPR.
• C. After receiving authorization from incident command.
• D. Immediately as soon as a defibrillator is available.

Answer: (D)

In a cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm, the best move is to deliver defibrillation as soon as the device is ready. These rhythms are the ones most likely to be restored by a quick shock, and every moment without a shock lowers the chance of survival. You don’t need to wait to confirm no pulse, you don’t wait for a full CPR cycle, and you don’t wait for authorization—you shock right away when the defibrillator is available. After delivering the shock, resume CPR immediately with minimal delay to keep blood flow going while the heart resets.

In a cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm, the best move is to deliver defibrillation as soon as the device is ready. These rhythms are the ones most likely to be restored by a quick shock, and every moment without a shock lowers the chance of survival. You don’t need to wait to confirm no pulse, you don’t wait for a full CPR cycle, and you don’t wait for authorization—you shock right away when the defibrillator is available. After delivering the shock, resume CPR immediately with minimal delay to keep blood flow going while the heart resets.