Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

What demonstrates closed-loop communication when instructing a medical assistant to retrieve the AED?

1. "I will get the AED now."

2. "Did you say to get the AED?"

3. "Go for it!"

4. "I'll go get the AED."

The correct answer is: "I'll go get the AED."

Closed-loop communication is an essential concept in emergency situations, particularly in a healthcare setting. It ensures that messages are accurately received and understood. In this context, clear communication not only aids in the effective execution of life-saving measures but also minimizes the risk of errors. The correct choice exemplifies closed-loop communication because the medical assistant is clearly stating their understanding of the instruction to retrieve the AED. This response confirms the request and indicates that the action will be taken, thus completing the communication loop. The speaker knows that their directive has been received accurately, and the recipient is taking actionable steps based on that understanding. In contrast, other options either lack clarity or do not confirm that the message was fully understood. For instance, saying "I will get the AED now" might indicate intent but does not show confirmation of understanding the request. "Did you say to get the AED?" asks for confirmation rather than affirming the action is being taken, which can lead to uncertainty. The phrase "Go for it!" lacks clarity and does not specifically acknowledge the instruction about the AED. Therefore, the best representation of closed-loop communication in this scenario is the response that clearly states the understanding and intention to retrieve the AED.