What should you do if the AED arrives but only has adult pads and no pediatric setting for a 6-year-old patient?

Using adult AED pads on a 6-year-old patient is appropriate if pediatric pads are not available. Adult AED pads are designed to deliver a shock effectively to patients of various ages, including children. While pediatric pads are recommended for younger patients to deliver a lower energy dose suitable for their developing hearts, the critical factor in a cardiac emergency is to provide immediate defibrillation.

In situations where adult pads must be used, they can still provide adequate treatment. It's important to apply them properly, ensuring they are placed on the patient's chest adequately to maximize the chance of successful defibrillation. If using adult pads, it's advisable to place them in a manner that avoids overlapping to reduce the risk of skin burns and ensure effective contact with the heart.

Waiting for pediatric pads could lead to unnecessary delays in providing life-saving shocks, and although CPR is always critical, the immediate goal in a situation where an AED is available is to use it as soon as possible when there are signs of cardiac arrest. Thus, using the adult pads is the best course of action when pediatric pads are not available.