Ace the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Test 2025 – Pump Up Your Skills and Save Lives!

An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) utilizes the mechanism of delivering an electrical shock to restore a normal heart rhythm by interrupting the chaotic electrical activity that occurs during certain types of cardiac arrest, such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

When the heart is in these abnormal rhythms, it cannot effectively pump blood, and this jeopardizes the patient’s life. The electrical shock from the AED essentially "resets" the heart's electrical system, allowing it to regain a coordinated rhythm and resume effective contractions. This process is critical because restoring a normal rhythm increases the chances of survival and can help the heart return to its natural pacemaker functionality.

In contrast to the other options, the AED does not increase blood flow to the brain directly, provide oxygen to the lungs, or perform any form of manual massage to stimulate circulation. Its primary function is specifically focused on correcting abnormal electrical activity through defibrillation.