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

Defibrillation aims to restore a normal heart rhythm during certain types of cardiac arrest, particularly ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. In these scenarios, the heart is not effectively pumping blood, and defibrillation delivers a high-energy shock to halt the chaotic electrical activity, allowing the heart's natural pacemaker to regain control and re-establish a coordinated rhythm.

Inducing a brief asystole, or a temporary absence of electrical activity in the heart, can occur as part of this process. However, the primary objective is to reset the heart's electrical system rather than to intentionally produce asystole. In practice, after defibrillation, most patients should not remain in asystole; they should ideally transition back to a normal heartbeat, which is why the statement may be misleading regarding the overall goal of defibrillation.

While some may think that brief asystole has a utility in this context, it is not the direct aim of defibrillation. As such, this statement does not accurately reflect the intent behind defibrillation.