Which statement describes an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)?

Which statement describes an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)?

• A. It can only pace the heart
• B. It cannot defibrillate
• C. It can control heart rhythm and perform cardioversion for life-threatening arrhythmias
• D. It is external

Answer: (C)

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is placed under the skin with leads into the heart and continuously monitors heart rhythm. It can pace the heart if the rhythm slows, and it can deliver a shock to reset the heart when a life-threatening arrhythmia occurs. In some cases, it also performs cardioversion to restore a normal rhythm. This combination of ongoing rhythm control and the ability to terminate dangerous rhythms with therapy is what makes the statement describing its capabilities the best fit. It is not external, and it does more than just pace or just defibrillate, so those other descriptions don’t apply.

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is placed under the skin with leads into the heart and continuously monitors heart rhythm. It can pace the heart if the rhythm slows, and it can deliver a shock to reset the heart when a life-threatening arrhythmia occurs. In some cases, it also performs cardioversion to restore a normal rhythm. This combination of ongoing rhythm control and the ability to terminate dangerous rhythms with therapy is what makes the statement describing its capabilities the best fit. It is not external, and it does more than just pace or just defibrillate, so those other descriptions don’t apply.