Basic Life Support (BLS) Practice Exam

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Which step is a universal step for operating an AED?

Assess the victim's responsiveness
Placing the pads on the victim's bare chest
Performing chest compressions
Checking for a pulse

The correct answer is: Placing the pads on the victim's bare chest

Placing the pads on the victim's bare chest is a universal step for operating an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). This action is crucial because the pads are designed to deliver an electrical shock to the heart in cases of certain types of cardiac arrest, specifically ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. For the AED to function effectively, direct contact between the pads and the skin is necessary to transmit the shock accurately. The other options, while important in the overall context of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and emergency response, are not universal steps for AED operation. Assessing the victim's responsiveness is essential to determine the level of consciousness and whether further medical intervention is needed. Performing chest compressions is a vital part of CPR but is not directly related to the AED’s operation itself. Checking for a pulse, while necessary to assess the victim's circulatory status, is not a required step for using the AED, as the device will guide the user through the necessary steps after the pads are applied. Thus, applying the pads to the bare chest is a standardized, critical component of using an AED in an emergency situation.