Which term describes shocking the heart to restart it or reset an abnormal rhythm?

• A. Shocking the heart to restart it or reset an abnormal rhythm
• B. Abnormal rhythm of the heart
• C. A stationary clump of platelets
• D. Difficulty breathing while lying down

Answer: (A)

Defibrillation is the electric shock delivered to the heart to reset its rhythm and restart a heartbeat when a life‑threatening arrhythmia occurs. By depolarizing a large portion of the heart muscle at once, it briefly halts chaotic electrical activity, allowing the heart’s natural pacemaker to reestablish a normal rhythm. This is done with an AED or defibrillator in emergencies when there is ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. The other descriptions refer to the rhythm itself, a clot, or breathing trouble, none of which describe the act of delivering an electrical shock to restore normal heart rhythm.