The Nurse Is Performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on a Patient

The nurse is performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a patient who is in cardiac arrest. An automatic external defibrillator (AED) is available. Which activity will allow the nurse to assess the patient's cardiac rhythm?

A) Apply adhesive patch electrodes to the chest and move away from the patient.
B) Apply standard electrocardiograph monitoring leads to the patient and observe the rhythm.
C) Hold the defibrillator paddles directly against the patient's chest.
D) Connect electrocardiograph electrodes to a telephone monitoring device and wait until the rhythm is analyzed.