Surgical Tech Practice Exam

The correct answer is the heart defibrillator, which is specifically designed to restore a normal heart rhythm in cases of arrhythmias, particularly life-threatening ones like ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. It does this by delivering an electrical shock, which can reset the heart's electrical activity and allow it to re-establish a normal rhythm. This intervention is crucial in emergency situations where the heart is not effectively pumping blood due to disorganized electrical activity. A cardiac pacemaker serves a different purpose; it provides electrical impulses to prompt the heart to beat at a normal rate. Its function is primarily focused on pacing rather than defibrillation. A ventricular assist device is a mechanical pump that supports heart function and blood flow in individuals with weakened hearts, but it does not directly convert an ineffective rhythm back to normal. A cardiac monitor is used to observe the heart's rhythm and detect abnormalities but does not perform any action to convert the rhythm itself. It is an important tool for monitoring but does not intervene in the rhythm alteration process.