Which rhythm is considered shockable in pediatric arrest?

Which rhythm is considered shockable in pediatric arrest?

• A. Pulseless electrical activity
• B. Sinus tachycardia
• C. Ventricular fibrillation
• D. Asystole

Answer: (C)

In pediatric arrest, only rhythms that show disorganized or chaotic electrical activity without a coordinated heartbeat are treated with defibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation fits this pattern: the ventricles quiver with no effective pumping, so a shock can reset the electrical activity and allow the heart to restart a perfusing rhythm. The other rhythms described do not benefit from a shock. Pulseless electrical activity shows electrical activity present but not enough to produce a pulse, so defibrillation isn’t appropriate as the first step. Asystole has no electrical activity at all, so a shock won’t work. Sinus tachycardia is a fast, organized rhythm, usually with a pulse, and is not a cause of cardiac arrest requiring defibrillation. Therefore, ventricular fibrillation is the rhythm considered shockable.

In pediatric arrest, only rhythms that show disorganized or chaotic electrical activity without a coordinated heartbeat are treated with defibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation fits this pattern: the ventricles quiver with no effective pumping, so a shock can reset the electrical activity and allow the heart to restart a perfusing rhythm. The other rhythms described do not benefit from a shock. Pulseless electrical activity shows electrical activity present but not enough to produce a pulse, so defibrillation isn’t appropriate as the first step. Asystole has no electrical activity at all, so a shock won’t work. Sinus tachycardia is a fast, organized rhythm, usually with a pulse, and is not a cause of cardiac arrest requiring defibrillation. Therefore, ventricular fibrillation is the rhythm considered shockable.