What is the function of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED)?

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) plays a critical role in managing sudden cardiac arrest by analyzing the heart's rhythm and determining if a shock is necessary to restore a normal heartbeat. When a person experiences a cardiac arrest, their heart may go into a dangerously irregular rhythm, such as ventricular fibrillation. The AED detects these arrhythmias through its analysis capability and only delivers a shock if it recognizes that the heart is in a shockable rhythm. This prompt intervention can help reestablish a functional cardiac rhythm, potentially saving a life.

While the other options may describe functions related to emergency response or medical care, they do not accurately reflect the primary function of an AED. Inflating the lungs is related to ventilation processes in respiratory emergencies, providing CPR instructions is typically the role of a dispatcher or a trained bystander, and monitoring brain activity pertains to neurological assessments rather than the cardiac functions addressed by an AED.