Which of the following is a priority intervention for someone in ventricular fibrillation?

Ventricular fibrillation (VF) is a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia that results in ineffective quivering of the heart instead of proper pumping action. This condition leads to a lack of blood flow to the body, causing cardiac arrest and requiring immediate medical intervention.

The priority intervention for someone in ventricular fibrillation is defibrillation. The process of defibrillation involves delivering an electrical shock to the heart in order to restore a normal rhythm. This intervention is critical because, without prompt action, VF can lead to death or severe disability due to prolonged hypoxia and inadequate circulation.

In contrast, other interventions, while they may be part of the broader management of cardiac arrest or related conditions, do not address the immediate need to restore a normal rhythm effectively. For instance, aspirin is used to reduce blood clotting in certain cardiac events, but it has no effect on arrhythmias like VF. Providing supplemental oxygen is important during resuscitation efforts, but it does not directly resolve the underlying issue of VF. Likewise, positioning the patient flat on their back may be necessary for other procedures or assessments, but it does not directly contribute to the treatment of ventricular fibrillation itself. Thus, defibrillation is the most critical priority intervention in this