A 70-year-old woman with ongoing severe atrial fibrillation is scheduled for defibrillation. What is an aspect of the rationale and physiology of defibrillation treatment?
A) Interruption of disorganized impulses by the current allows the AV node to readopt its normal pacemaker role
B) Defibrillation can be achieved using either a transcutaneous or transvenous pacemaker.
C) Defibrillation must be coincided with the R wave of the ECG in order to be successful.
D) The goal is to depolarize the entire heart during the passage of current.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The benefits of defibrillation are achieved by depolarizing the heart during the passage of current, allowing the SA node to regain control. It is not achieved by the use of a pacemaker, and cardioversion, not defibrillation, is coincided with the R wave.

A 70-Year-Old Woman with Ongoing Severe Atrial Fibrillation Is Scheduled