VF cardiac arrest — DipIMC MCQ

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EasyResuscitationVF cardiac arrestDipIMC

A 61-year-old collapses at a gym. He is pulseless, bystander CPR is ongoing and the monitor shows coarse ventricular fibrillation. What is the most appropriate immediate action?

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Correct answer: A — Deliver a shock and resume chest compressions immediately

Explanation lettering: C = shown as A · A = shown as B · B = shown as C

C is correct: A shockable rhythm requires prompt defibrillation with immediate resumption of compressions to minimise peri-shock pause. A is less suitable because it creates avoidable delay in a time-critical presentation; B is less suitable because a detailed survey is inappropriate before correcting an immediate threat; D is less suitable because it moves the patient before the decisive threat or destination issue is addressed; E is less suitable because it delays the immediate life-saving step in the cABCDE sequence. The most tempting alternative is therefore suboptimal because it either delays the time-critical pre-hospital intervention or sends the patient to the wrong level of care. The key DipIMC principle is focused cABCDE decision-making with early pre-alert, triage or retrieval escalation when the scene physiology demands it.

Reference: Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025; JRCALC Guidelines