ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

What mechanical device is used to correct an ineffectual cardiac rhythm?

1. Defibrillator

2. Cardiac monitor

3. Crash cart

4. Resuscitation bag

The correct answer is: Defibrillator

A defibrillator is a mechanical device specifically designed to deliver a controlled electric shock to the heart. This shock helps reset the heart's electrical system by halting chaotic rhythms, allowing the heart to re-establish an effective and organized rhythm. Defibrillators are vital in emergencies such as cardiac arrest, where a patient may be experiencing arrhythmias like ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. While other devices mentioned are important in cardiac care, they serve different purposes. A cardiac monitor is used to visually display the heart's rhythm and rate but does not correct any ineffectual rhythms on its own. A crash cart is a portable unit that contains emergency medications and equipment, including a defibrillator, but is not a device that directly corrects cardiac rhythms. A resuscitation bag, also known as a bag-valve-mask (BVM), is utilized to assist with ventilation in patients who cannot breathe adequately but does not specifically address the heart's rhythm issues. Thus, the defibrillator is uniquely suited to this critical task.