What is the function of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?

The function of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is to provide lifesaving electrical shocks to patients experiencing cardiac arrest. When a person suffers from sudden cardiac arrest, their heart may stop beating effectively, leading to the cessation of blood flow to vital organs. An AED can analyze the heart's rhythm and determine whether a shock is necessary. If a shock is warranted, the device delivers an electrical pulse that can disrupt the abnormally rapid or ineffective heart rhythms, allowing the heart to reset and potentially resume its normal rhythm. This prompt action can greatly increase the chances of survival, making AEDs crucial in emergency response situations.

Other options describe different medical devices or procedures that do not align with the primary function of an AED. For instance, providing supplementary oxygen relates to respiratory support rather than defibrillation, monitoring heart rates is typically done using an electrocardiogram (ECG) or similar devices, and assisting with CPR is essential but separate from the AED’s primary role of delivering shocks. Thus, the specific lifesaving action that an AED performs in cases of cardiac arrest distinguishes it from these other functions.