What is one of the primary roles of the AED during cardiac arrest?

The primary role of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) during a cardiac arrest is to analyze the heart's rhythm and determine if a shock is necessary. When a person experiences a cardiac arrest, their heart may be in a lethal rhythm, such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. The AED is designed to assess these rhythms by monitoring the electrical activity of the heart.

If the device detects a rhythm that is shockable, it will prompt the user to deliver a shock, which can help to restore a normal heart rhythm and is critical for survival. This function is vital because defibrillation is one of the most effective interventions in cases of certain types of cardiac arrest, and timely use of an AED can significantly improve the patient's chances of survival.

In contrast, the other options relate to functions that are important in the overall management of a cardiac arrest scenario, but they do not specifically describe the primary function of the AED. Providing oxygen, maintaining the airway, and performing chest compressions are all crucial steps in the chain of survival, but they are not the defining roles of the AED itself. The AED focuses specifically on rhythm analysis and defibrillation.