American Lifeguard Practice Exam

An electrical shock delivered to the heart to correct certain abnormal heart rhythms is known as what?

1. Cardioversion

2. Defibrillation

3. Pacing

4. Resuscitation

The correct answer is: Defibrillation

The term commonly used for delivering an electrical shock to the heart to correct certain abnormal heart rhythms is defibrillation. This procedure is essential in cases such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, where the heart's normal rhythm is disrupted, preventing effective blood circulation. Defibrillation involves a controlled discharge of electricity that aims to depolarize a critical mass of the heart muscle. This can help restore a normal rhythm by interrupting the chaotic electrical activity that characterizes these arrhythmias. The method typically employs an automated external defibrillator (AED) or a manual defibrillator, making it a crucial intervention in emergencies where the heart is not beating effectively. While cardioversion is also a technique that uses electrical shocks to restore normal heart rhythm, it is specifically utilized for different rhythms and often done under sedation, distinguishing it from defibrillation, which may be used in more urgent situations. Pacing refers to the use of electrical impulses to maintain an appropriate heart rate, often in patients with bradycardia, while resuscitation encompasses the broader process of restoring life and circulation, which may include techniques like CPR and the use of defibrillation but is not specific to the act of delivering a shock to correct