Ventricular fibrillation is classified as which of the following?

Ventricular fibrillation is classified as which of the following?

• A. A form of stable arrhythmia
• B. A type of cardiac arrest
• C. An effective heartbeat
• D. A normal variant of heart rhythm

Answer: (B)

Ventricular fibrillation is classified as a type of cardiac arrest because it represents a critical condition in which the heart's electrical activity becomes erratic and uncoordinated. In this state, the ventricles fail to contract effectively, resulting in the heart's inability to pump blood and maintain adequate circulation. This lack of circulation leads to loss of consciousness and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Understanding that ventricular fibrillation is a severe arrhythmia underscores the importance of immediate medical intervention, such as defibrillation, to restore a normal rhythm. Various other arrhythmias can occur, but ventricular fibrillation specifically signifies a collapse in the heart's functional capacity, aligning it closely with the definition of cardiac arrest.