Which rhythm is non-shockable in pediatric resuscitation?

• A. Ventricular fibrillation
• B. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia
• C. Asystole
• D. Pulseless Electrical Activity

Answer: (D)

In pediatric resuscitation, defibrillation is used for rhythms where there is disorganized electrical activity that could be reversed by a shock, specifically ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Pulseless electrical activity shows electrical activity on the monitor but no palpable pulse and no effective cardiac output, so shocking won’t restore a pulse. The heart’s electrical signals aren’t translating into mechanical contraction, which is why PEA is treated with high-quality CPR and addressing reversible causes rather than defibrillation. Asystole is also non-shockable for the same reason—there is no electrical activity to restart with a shock.