Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Practice 2026 - Free CPR Practice Questions and Study Tips.

A shockable rhythm is one that can be treated with defibrillation to potentially restore a normal heart rhythm. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) is classified as a shockable rhythm because it presents a rapid heartbeat originating from the ventricles, which can be life-threatening if not treated promptly. Administration of electrical shocks can interrupt this chaotic electrical activity, allowing the heart to reset to a normal rhythm.

In contrast, asystole is a state of no electrical activity in the heart, whereby there is no rhythm to shock, making it non-shockable. Pulseless electrical activity (PEA) reflects organized electrical activity without effective heart contractions, and while it may appear that the heart is functioning, the lack of mechanical output signifies that shock will not be effective. Lastly, bradycardia refers to a slower than normal heart rate and is usually treated with medications or pacing techniques rather than defibrillation. Thus, recognizing pulseless ventricular tachycardia as a shockable rhythm is essential for effective CPR and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) protocols.