After the AED has delivered a shock, the EMT should:

After the AED has delivered a shock, the EMT should:

• A. immediately resume CPR.
• B. transport the patient at once.
• C. assess for a carotid pulse.
• D. re-analyze the cardiac rhythm.

Answer: (A)

After a shock, the heart may still not be pumping effectively, so the priority is to restore blood flow to vital organs. Immediately resuming CPR keeps oxygenated blood circulating to the brain and heart while the heart resets its rhythm, which improves the chances of return of spontaneous circulation. Pausing to check a pulse or delaying CPR can waste precious seconds and reduce perfusion. The AED will resume monitoring and reanalyze after the CPR interval, but the essential next step is to start chest compressions again right away, continuing for about two minutes before the next rhythm check or shock attempt.

After a shock, the heart may still not be pumping effectively, so the priority is to restore blood flow to vital organs. Immediately resuming CPR keeps oxygenated blood circulating to the brain and heart while the heart resets its rhythm, which improves the chances of return of spontaneous circulation. Pausing to check a pulse or delaying CPR can waste precious seconds and reduce perfusion. The AED will resume monitoring and reanalyze after the CPR interval, but the essential next step is to start chest compressions again right away, continuing for about two minutes before the next rhythm check or shock attempt.