Question 9 of 20 A nurse is preparing to defibrillate a client brought into the emergency department in ventricular fibrillation (VF) using an automatic external defibrillator (AED). After picking up the pads, what is the nurse's next action? Wipe the chest with a dry towel. Place the pads on the the client's chest per pictorial instructions. Analyze the heart rhythm to determine if the client requires a shock. Call out "Clear!" and press the button to deliver a shock. SUBMIT ANSWER

In the scenario described, the nurse is preparing to use an automatic external defibrillator (AED) on a client in ventricular fibrillation (VF). The correct sequence of actions is crucial for effective defibrillation. 1. **Wipe the chest with a dry towel**: This step is important to ensure good contact between the pads and the skin, but it is not the immediate next action after picking up the pads. 2. **Place the pads on the client's chest per pictorial instructions**: This is the next logical step after picking up the pads. Proper placement of the pads is essential for effective defibrillation. 3. **Analyze the heart rhythm to determine if the client requires a shock**: This action is performed after the pads are placed on the chest. The AED will automatically analyze the rhythm once the pads are in place. 4. **Call out "Clear!" and press the button to deliver a shock**: This step occurs only if the AED indicates that a shock is needed after analyzing the rhythm. Given this sequence, the nurse's next action after picking up the pads should be to **place the pads on the client's chest per pictorial instructions**.