What type of electrical cardiac disturbance will an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) shock?

An Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) is specifically designed to detect and deliver a shock for certain life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias, primarily focusing on those that result in inadequate circulation. Ventricular fibrillation is one such arrhythmia where the heart's electrical activity becomes chaotic, preventing effective heartbeats and thus leading to a lack of blood flow. This is a critical situation that requires immediate intervention.

When the AED analyses the heart rhythm and detects ventricular fibrillation, it will prompt to deliver a shock aimed at resetting the heart's electrical system, allowing it to re-establish a normal rhythm. The AED is programmed to recognize this dangerous rhythm and provide a potentially life-saving shock.

In contrast, other choices do not represent immediate threats that would warrant the use of an AED. Normal sinus rhythm indicates healthy heart function and does not need any intervention. Atrial flutter, while it can be problematic, is not typically treated with defibrillation, and bradycardia generally refers to a slower-than-normal heart rate, which may not require defibrillation and could be managed by other means depending on the patient's symptoms.