Which statement best defines ventricular fibrillation?

Which statement best defines ventricular fibrillation?

• A. Chaotic electrical activity in the ventricles leading to uncoordinated contraction and pump failure.
• B. Regular rhythmic contraction of the ventricles.
• C. Blockage of coronary arteries.
• D. Atrial fibrillation.

Answer: (A)

Ventricular fibrillation occurs when the ventricles are driven by chaotic electrical impulses, causing the ventricles to quiver instead of contracting in a coordinated way. Because the contraction isn’t synchronized, there’s no effective pumping of blood, leading to rapid loss of consciousness and collapse unless rapid defibrillation and CPR restore a normal rhythm. This differs from a normal, regular ventricular contraction, a blockage of coronary arteries (which relates to a heart attack), or atrial fibrillation (disorganized atrial activity with an irregular ventricular response, not chaotic ventricular activity).

Ventricular fibrillation occurs when the ventricles are driven by chaotic electrical impulses, causing the ventricles to quiver instead of contracting in a coordinated way. Because the contraction isn’t synchronized, there’s no effective pumping of blood, leading to rapid loss of consciousness and collapse unless rapid defibrillation and CPR restore a normal rhythm. This differs from a normal, regular ventricular contraction, a blockage of coronary arteries (which relates to a heart attack), or atrial fibrillation (disorganized atrial activity with an irregular ventricular response, not chaotic ventricular activity).