For a patient with a total artificial heart (TAH), what is the recommended action?

• A. Contact BH for instructions
• B. Start chest compressions immediately
• C. Apply AED and analyze rhythm before action
• D. Leave device in place and transport without change

Answer: (A)

When a patient has a total artificial heart, the pump provides all circulatory support and standard CPR or defibrillation can risk damaging the device or cannulas. Because the device requires device-specific management, the exam emphasizes obtaining instructions from the base hospital before taking further action. Contacting the base hospital ensures you get guidance tailored to the TAH setup, including how to handle power, alarms, and transport priorities, without risking harm to the device. Chest compressions or applying an AED without instruction could cause injury or interfere with the device’s function, and simply transporting without any guidance could miss critical steps needed for this patient.