Which element below is part of the Chain of Survival?

Which element below is part of the Chain of Survival?

• A. Defibrillation
• B. Routine laboratory testing
• C. Ambulance transportation only
• D. Discharge planning

Answer: (A)

Defibrillation is part of the Chain of Survival because delivering a rapid shock to a person in a shockable rhythm (such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless VT) can abruptly restore a perfusing heartbeat. Time matters most here—the sooner a shock is delivered, the better the chances of survival, especially when combined with immediate CPR and rapid access to advanced care. The Chain of Survival focuses on the first moments after cardiac arrest: recognizing the emergency, calling for help, starting CPR, and delivering defibrillation as quickly as possible. Routine laboratory testing, while important in medical care, does not occur during the resuscitation window and is not a step in the immediate chain. Ambulance transport is part of EMS response, but the chain centers on the critical actions taken in the field and immediately after (recognition, CPR, defibrillation, and early advanced care). Discharge planning happens after hospital care, not during the emergency response.

Defibrillation is part of the Chain of Survival because delivering a rapid shock to a person in a shockable rhythm (such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless VT) can abruptly restore a perfusing heartbeat. Time matters most here—the sooner a shock is delivered, the better the chances of survival, especially when combined with immediate CPR and rapid access to advanced care. The Chain of Survival focuses on the first moments after cardiac arrest: recognizing the emergency, calling for help, starting CPR, and delivering defibrillation as quickly as possible.

Routine laboratory testing, while important in medical care, does not occur during the resuscitation window and is not a step in the immediate chain. Ambulance transport is part of EMS response, but the chain centers on the critical actions taken in the field and immediately after (recognition, CPR, defibrillation, and early advanced care). Discharge planning happens after hospital care, not during the emergency response.