Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Practice Exam

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When placing pads for defibrillation, where should one pad be positioned on the victim's chest?

Upper-right chest
Directly over the sternum
Left side of the neck
Lower-left abdomen

The correct answer is: Upper-right chest

The correct positioning of the pads for defibrillation is crucial for effective delivery of an electric shock to restore normal heart rhythm. Placing one pad on the upper-right chest ensures that the electrical current flows through the heart muscle effectively. Specifically, this pad should be positioned to the right of the sternum, typically in the region of the second intercostal space, where it can best capture the electrical activity of the heart. The other options do not provide the optimal placement for defibrillation. Placing a pad directly over the sternum may not facilitate the necessary electrical pathway across the heart. Positioning a pad on the left side of the neck or the lower-left abdomen would also disrupt the intended pathway for the current, reducing the chances of successful defibrillation. For proper defibrillation, adhering to the standard pad placement protocol significantly increases the likelihood of restoring a viable cardiac rhythm.