Ontario Paramedic Practice Exam

What additional action should be taken if a patient has a shockable rhythm after ROSC?

1. Administer antiarrhythmic medication

2. Continue chest compressions

3. Provide rapid transport to a cardiac facility

4. Be prepared to defibrillate as needed

The correct answer is: Be prepared to defibrillate as needed

If a patient has a shockable rhythm after ROSC, it is important to be prepared to defibrillate as needed in case the heart goes into cardiac arrest again. Continuing chest compressions is important to maintain adequate blood flow, but the potential threat of cardiac arrest must also be addressed. Administering antiarrhythmic medication or providing rapid transport to a cardiac facility may be necessary depending on the situation, but they are not the immediate and primary action to take for a shockable rhythm after ROSC. Therefore, the best answer is to be prepared to defibrillate as needed.