How does an AED function in a medical emergency?

An automated external defibrillator (AED) functions by analyzing the heart's rhythm during a medical emergency, specifically when a person is experiencing a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia, such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. If the AED detects a rhythm that is shockable, it will deliver an electrical shock to the heart. This shock can help to reset the heart's rhythm, allowing it to re-establish an effective and normal heartbeat.

The capability of an AED to analyze heart rhythms is fundamental to its role in emergency care. It ensures that shocks are only delivered when necessary, which increases the chances of survival for someone in cardiac arrest. This automated decision-making process is crucial since immediate and appropriate action can significantly impact the patient's outcomes.

Other choices, such as administering CPR, stabilizing fractures, or providing medication for heart attacks, do not accurately describe the functions of an AED. CPR is performed by a trained responder or bystander but is not something that an AED does by itself. Stabilizing fractures and administering medications are outside the scope of what an AED is designed to do.