A 70-year-old male collapses while shopping. Bystanders describe him as clutching his chest before falling. On your arrival, he is in cardiac arrest w...

Question

A 70-year-old male collapses while shopping. Bystanders describe him as clutching his chest before falling. On your arrival, he is in cardiac arrest with VF on the monitor. Your first shock at 150 J biphasic is unsuccessful. Per RCUK 2025, what energy should be used for subsequent shocks?

Accepted Answer

The same energy (150 J) or higher if the defibrillator is capable of escalating energy

Answer

Always use the maximum energy (360 J) for all subsequent shocks

Answer

Energy does not matter - the waveform is more important than the energy level

Answer

200 J for the second shock, 360 J for the third

Answer

The energy should be reduced to 120 J for subsequent shocks

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Defibrillation Energy Escalation

A 70-year-old male collapses while shopping. Bystanders describe him as clutching his chest before falling. On your arrival, he is in cardiac arrest with VF on the monitor. Your first shock at 150 J biphasic is unsuccessful. Per RCUK 2025, what energy should be used for subsequent shocks?