Which AED pad placement is correct for an adult patient?

The correct placement of AED pads for an adult patient is crucial for the effective delivery of defibrillation therapy. The pads should be positioned in specific locations to ensure that the electrical impulses can effectively pass through the heart.

In this case, the chosen option places one pad on the upper right chest, just below the right clavicle. This pad is positioned on the right side of the sternum, providing a conductive pathway across the heart. The second pad is placed on the lower left chest along the midaxillary line, which is located on the left side of the torso, midway between the front and back of the body. This configuration allows the electricity to travel through the heart muscle, facilitating the restoration of a normal heart rhythm in cases of cardiac arrest.

Correct pad placement follows the anatomical landmarks to maximize the effectiveness of the shock delivered by the AED. This configuration also minimizes the risk of injury to other tissues and improves the chances of successful defibrillation. The other options either place the pads incorrectly, fail to follow safe conductive pathways, or do not conform to anatomy, potentially leading to ineffective shocks. Proper training and adherence to these guidelines are essential for health care providers performing CPR and using an AED in emergency situations.