Ontario Paramedic Practice Exam

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What are the indications of performing manual defibrillation?

Obviously Dead
Equal to or over 30 days
Altered Level of Awareness
VF or pulseless VT

The correct answer is: VF or pulseless VT

The indication for performing manual defibrillation is the presence of ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT). When a patient is in these critical arrhythmias, they are unable to effectively pump blood due to chaotic electrical activity in the heart or a rapid heart rhythm that does not allow for adequate filling and contraction. Manual defibrillation delivers an electrical shock to restore normal rhythm and potentially save the patient's life. This intervention is vital as VF and pulseless VT are life-threatening conditions that require immediate corrective action to prevent cardiac arrest and death. In contrast, conditions such as being obviously dead would not benefit from defibrillation, as there is no return to a viable state possible. The option referring to being equal to or over 30 days does not pertain to any physiological imperative for defibrillation. Lastly, an altered level of awareness can be caused by numerous factors, but does not specifically indicate the need for defibrillation unless it is accompanied by arrhythmia; therefore, it is not a standalone indication for this critical procedure.