Cardiovascular Disorders And Treatment Practice Test

Which term describes shocking the heart to restart it or reset an abnormal rhythm?

Shocking the heart to restart it or reset an abnormal rhythm Abnormal rhythm of the heart A stationary clump of platelets Difficulty breathing while lying down

Correct Answer:

Shocking the heart to restart it or reset an abnormal rhythm

Explanation:

Defibrillation is the electric shock delivered to the heart to reset its rhythm and restart a heartbeat when a life‑threatening arrhythmia occurs. By depolarizing a large portion of the heart muscle at once, it briefly halts chaotic electrical activity, allowing the heart’s natural pacemaker to reestablish a normal rhythm. This is done with an AED or defibrillator in emergencies when there is ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. The other descriptions refer to the rhythm itself, a clot, or breathing trouble, none of which describe the act of delivering an electrical shock to restore normal heart rhythm.

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