Which rhythm is considered non-shockable and relevant to termination criteria?

• A. Asystole
• B. Ventricular fibrillation
• C. Ventricular tachycardia
• D. Pulseless electrical activity

Answer: (A)

Non-shockable rhythms are those where defibrillation cannot help because there is no organized electrical activity to reset. In cardiac arrest, shockable rhythms like ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia respond to defibrillation, while non-shockable rhythms are managed with ongoing CPR and medications rather than shocks. Asystole represents a true flat line—no electrical activity and no pulse. Since there’s nothing to defibrillate, defibrillation isn’t effective, and if asystole persists despite good CPR and advanced care, it becomes a key factor in termination decisions. The other options either describe rhythms that require defibrillation (shockable) or non-shockable states with some electrical activity that can still be reversible (making them less definitive for termination criteria).