Is it possible to program a shock vector on the DX that could cause exit block and possible death?

Is it possible to program a shock vector on the DX that could cause exit block and possible death?

• A. Sometimes true
• B. Not possible
• C. True
• D. False

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is patient safety with programmable medical devices. A shock vector is the path the current takes through the chest during defibrillation. If that path is configured incorrectly, the energy could be delivered in a way that doesn’t terminate a dangerous rhythm and, in a worst-case misconfiguration, could contribute to harm, including hemodynamic instability or death. Because the device is programmable, there is a theoretical possibility that a vector could be set in a way that increases risk. In real clinical practice, safety checks, interlocks, and strict protocols exist to prevent such dangerous configurations, making harm extremely unlikely. But the possibility isn’t absolutely ruled out, so the statement is true.

The main idea here is patient safety with programmable medical devices. A shock vector is the path the current takes through the chest during defibrillation. If that path is configured incorrectly, the energy could be delivered in a way that doesn’t terminate a dangerous rhythm and, in a worst-case misconfiguration, could contribute to harm, including hemodynamic instability or death. Because the device is programmable, there is a theoretical possibility that a vector could be set in a way that increases risk. In real clinical practice, safety checks, interlocks, and strict protocols exist to prevent such dangerous configurations, making harm extremely unlikely. But the possibility isn’t absolutely ruled out, so the statement is true.