AED Quiz and AED Test Practice: Defibrillator Operation
55 exam-style questions covering 18% of the CPR/AED exam. Instant feedback on every answer, progress tracking, no signup required.
This domain is part of the CPR / AED Certification practice test. Each question is tagged by exam objective and difficulty so you can drill exactly the areas you need.
Sample Questions
What is the main purpose of an AED during cardiac arrest?
- A. To analyze the heart rhythm and deliver a shock when a shockable rhythm is detected
- B. To replace chest compressions for the entire resuscitation
- C. To give rescue breaths automatically
- D. To confirm the person's identity before care begins
An AED identifies rhythms that may need defibrillation and can deliver a shock when indicated. This is the correct answer.
A rescuer is using an AED on an adult. What is the main purpose of an AED during cardiac arrest?
- A. During the shift, to analyze the heart rhythm and deliver a shock when a shockable rhythm is detected
- B. During the shift, to confirm the person's identity before care begins
- C. During the shift, to replace chest compressions for the entire resuscitation
- D. During the shift, to give rescue breaths automatically
An AED identifies rhythms that may need defibrillation and can deliver a shock when indicated. This is the correct answer.
What does defibrillation do?
- A. It checks the carotid pulse for the rescuer
- B. Delivers a controlled electrical shock to interrupt an abnormal rhythm
- C. It performs chest compressions automatically in all models
- D. It gives oxygen through the lungs
Defibrillation uses a controlled shock to interrupt certain life-threatening abnormal rhythms. This is the correct answer.
Which pad placement is commonly used for adults and children 8 years and older?
- A. Both pads on the same side of the neck
- B. Anterolateral placement
- C. Both pads over the stomach
- D. One pad on each wrist
Anterolateral placement is a standard AED pad position. This is the correct answer.
What should rescuers do after opening the AED case and turning it on if needed?
- A. Disconnect the battery to reset the unit
- B. Follow the AED prompts
- C. Wait for EMS before applying pads
- D. Ignore the voice prompts and guess the sequence
AED operation relies on following the device prompts step by step. This is the correct answer.
During AED skills practice, which rhythms are shockable in basic AED teaching?
- A. A definite pulse with normal breathing
- B. Normal sinus rhythm with normal breathing
- C. Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia
- D. Agonal gasps without rhythm analysis
AEDs may advise a shock for shockable rhythms such as ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. This is the correct answer.
Which rhythms are shockable in basic AED teaching?
- A. Normal sinus rhythm with normal breathing (per AHA technique)
- B. Agonal gasps without rhythm analysis (per AHA technique)
- C. Ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia (per AHA technique)
- D. A definite pulse with normal breathing (per AHA technique)
AEDs may advise a shock for shockable rhythms such as ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. This is the correct answer.
Why is early defibrillation important?
- A. It eliminates the need to call for emergency help
- B. It allows rescuers to stop CPR permanently after the first shock
- C. It works best when delayed until the person wakes up
- D. It improves survival chances when a shockable rhythm is present
Early AED use improves the chance of survival for shockable cardiac arrest rhythms. This is the correct answer.
Key Terms in This Domain
- AED purpose: Analyzes the heart rhythm and delivers a shock if a shockable rhythm (VF or pulseless VT) is detected, the only definitive treatment for VF
- "Clear" before analysis and shock: Ensure no one is touching the victim during rhythm analysis and shock delivery, visually and verbally confirm "I'm clear, you're clear, all clear"
- Transdermal medication patch: Remove the patch and wipe the area before applying pads; patches can interfere with shock delivery and cause burns
- Pregnant victim: AED use is safe and appropriate during pregnancy; place pads as usual and do not delay defibrillation
- Metal surfaces and jewelry: Metal surfaces are not a contraindication; remove or move jewelry away from pads but do not delay defibrillation to do so
- Chain of Survival (out-of-hospital): Recognition and activation of EMS → immediate high-quality CPR → rapid defibrillation → advanced resuscitation → post-cardiac-arrest care → recovery
- Scene safety: Before approaching, check for hazards (traffic, fire, electricity, violence, water, fumes); do not become a second victim
- Witnessed vs unwitnessed arrest: A witnessed sudden collapse in an adult is likely cardiac (shockable); a child found unresponsive is more often respiratory
- Hand placement (adult): Heel of one hand on the lower half of the sternum, second hand on top with fingers interlaced
- Newly born considerations: Newborns immediately after birth are not the focus of standard CPR/AED courses (covered by NRP); for infants beyond the immediate post-birth period, infant CPR rules apply
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Other CPR/AED Domains
- 1.0 Introduction and Chain of Survival
- 2.0 Assessment and Recognition
- 3.0 Adult CPR
- 4.0 Child and Infant CPR
- 6.0 Choking and Airway Obstruction
- 7.0 Special Situations and Recovery
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