When utilizing an AED on a patient with a pacemaker or ICD, what is the correct action?

When using an AED on a patient who has a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), it is essential to position the AED pads correctly to ensure effective defibrillation while avoiding interference with the implanted device. The correct action is to adjust the pad placement to avoid directly placing them over the pacemaker or ICD. This is crucial because placing the pads directly over the implanted device may inhibit the delivery of an effective shock and could also potentially cause damage to the device itself.

In this situation, careful pad placement ensures that the electrical shock can be effectively delivered to the heart muscle rather than being disrupted by the presence of the device. The pads should typically be placed in the standard anterior-lateral position, but must be situated in such a way that they do not directly cover the pacemaker or ICD.

Considering other options: Skipping the use of the AED is not appropriate, as defibrillation might still be necessary for a patient in cardiac arrest. Using only one pad instead of two would not provide the necessary biphasic waveform required for effective defibrillation.