Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

When using an AED on children, which of the following is a recommended practice?

1. Use standard adult pads

2. Use pediatric pads and an energy reducer

3. Do not use an AED on children

4. Adjust the AED settings for a higher energy

The correct answer is: Use pediatric pads and an energy reducer

Using pediatric pads and an energy reducer is a recommended practice when utilizing an AED on children. This approach is grounded in the need to minimize the risk of injury to a child's smaller body and developing heart. Pediatric pads are specifically designed to deliver a lower dose of energy suitable for a child's physiology, reducing the chance of causing harm while still allowing for effective defibrillation. Additionally, energy reducers, when available on the AED, further ensure that the electrical shock delivered is appropriate for a child, matching their needs more closely than adult settings. In contrast, employing standard adult pads may deliver too much energy for a child, which could lead to unsafe outcomes. The assertion that an AED should not be used on children is inaccurate; defibrillation can be lifesaving in pediatric cases of cardiac arrest, provided it is done with the right equipment and settings. Increasing the energy settings of the AED would also not be appropriate for children, as it could cause severe harm without increasing the likelihood of successful defibrillation. Thus, the correct method prioritizes safety and efficacy by using pediatric-specific equipment.