Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills: A Nursing Process Approach

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Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:
A Nursing Process Approach, 3rd edition

Name Date

Unit Position

Instructor/Evaluator: Position

SKILL 16-6

Performing Emergency Automated

External Defibrillation

Goal:The defibrillation is performed correctly without adverse

effect to the patient, and the patient regains signs of circulation,

with organized electrical rhythm and pulse. Comments

1. Assess responsiveness. If the patient is not responsive, call
   for help and pull call bell, and call the facility emergency
   response number. Call for the AED. Put on gloves, if avail-
   able. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until the
   defibrillator and other emergency equipment arrive.


2. Prepare the AED. Power on the AED. Push the power
   button. Some devices will turn on automatically when the
   lid or case is opened.


3. Attach AED connecting cables to the AED (may be precon-
   nected). Attach AED cables to the adhesive electrode pads
   (may be preconnected).


4. Stop chest compressions. Peel away the covering from the
   electrode pads to expose the adhesive surface. Attach the elec-
   trode pads to the patient’s chest. Place one pad on the upper
   right sternal border, directly below the clavicle. Place the sec-
   ond pad lateral to the left nipple, with the top margin of the
   pad a few inches below the axilla.


5. Once the pads are in place and the device is turned on, fol-
   low the prompts given by the device. Clear the patient and
   analyze the rhythm. Ensure no one is touching the patient.
   Loudly state a “Clear the patient” message. Press ‘Analyze’
   button to initiate analysis, if necessary. Some devices
   automatically begin analysis when the pads are attached.
   Avoid all movement affecting the patient during analysis.


6. If ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation is
   present, the device will announce that a shock is indicated
   and begin charging. Once the AED is charged, a message
   will be delivered to shock the patient.


7. Before pressing the ‘Shock’ button, loudly state a “Clear the
   patient” message. Visually check that no one is in contact
   with the patient. Press the ‘Shock’ button. If the AED is
   fully automatic, a shock will be delivered automatically.

Copyright © 2011 by Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Skill Checklists for Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills:

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