Board of Legal SpecializationPractice Exam

What is primary focus during early defibrillation in the cardiac emergency response?

1. Restoring an effective heart rhythm

2. Preventing brain damage

3. Providing comfort to the patient

4. Assessing the length of code

The correct answer is: Restoring an effective heart rhythm

In the context of a cardiac emergency response, the primary focus during early defibrillation is to restore an effective heart rhythm. When a person experiences a cardiac arrest, their heart may be in a state of ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, both of which are life-threatening arrhythmias. The immediate administration of a defibrillation shock can help to reset the heart's electrical activity, allowing it to resume a normal rhythm. Restoring an effective heart rhythm is crucial because the sooner this can be achieved, the higher the chances are for survival and recovery. Each minute that passes without defibrillation decreases the likelihood of survival significantly due to the lack of blood flow and oxygen to vital organs, especially the brain. While preventing brain damage and providing comfort are important considerations in patient care, these follow the immediate priority of stabilizing the heart's rhythm. Similarly, assessing the length of the code is not a primary focus during the early stages of a cardiac emergency; rather, it is more relevant for documentation and after-action analysis.