The School Nurse Role in Preparing for Sudden Cardiac Arrest in the School Setting

Abstract

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) were introduced for first responders in 1992 to manage adult cardiac arrest and are now common in many public places. Today AEDs are capable of shocking children under 8 years of age, or less than 55 pounds. This presents a challenge for school nurses, particularly as the prevalence of chronic medical conditions of school children continues to increase. Preparing for a cardiac emergency for a person of any age is stressful and requires a coordinated approach to best manage sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). The school nurse’s responsibility is to assess the school setting and the need for an AED, and when indicated, determine the best AED guidelines in schools that accommodate people of all ages.