Surgical Tech Practice Exam 2025 - Free Surgical Tech Practice Questions and Study Guide

Ventricular fibrillation is a critical condition that requires the use of a heart defibrillator. This situation arises when the heart's electrical activity becomes chaotic, preventing it from effectively pumping blood. In ventricular fibrillation, the heart muscles quiver ineffectively instead of contracting normally, leading to the cessation of blood circulation. A defibrillator delivers a high-energy shock to the heart, which can reset its electrical activity and restore a normal rhythm.

While bradycardia (slow heart rate), atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rhythm), and asystole (absence of electrical activity in the heart) may warrant different interventions, they are not typically treated with defibrillation in the same manner as ventricular fibrillation. A heart defibrillator is specifically indicated for the chaotic and life-threatening rhythm of ventricular fibrillation, making it essential for emergency response in such cases.