Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Practice Exam

What is the recommended response for a patient experiencing ventricular fibrillation?

1. Immediate defibrillation

2. CPR for 5 minutes

3. Administration of epinephrine

4. Continuous monitoring

The correct answer is: Immediate defibrillation

The recommended response for a patient experiencing ventricular fibrillation is immediate defibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening arrhythmia characterized by rapid, disorganized electrical activity in the heart, leading to ineffective pumping and loss of pulse. This condition requires urgent intervention, as the longer defibrillation is delayed, the poorer the chances of survival and recovery become. Immediate defibrillation delivers a controlled electric shock to the heart, which can reset its electrical activity and restore a normal rhythm. The process should be initiated as soon as possible because it is critical in minimizing the time the patient spends in a state of cardiac arrest. In ACLS protocols, rapid recognition of the arrhythmia and immediate defibrillation are crucial steps in optimizing outcomes for patients in cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation. Although CPR can be beneficial and is an important component of resuscitation efforts, especially if defibrillation is not available immediately, it is not the primary action in the case of ventricular fibrillation. Other treatments, like epinephrine, may play a role in advanced resuscitation but are not the first-line response for ventricular fibrillation, as these do not correct the rhythm directly. Continuous monitoring is essential during the resuscitation process but