What is a potential complication of performing defibrillation improperly?

Defibrillation, when performed properly, aims to correct life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. However, if defibrillation is conducted improperly, one significant complication can result in burns or skin injuries. This harm can arise from several factors, such as incorrect pad placement, using an inappropriate energy setting, or not ensuring that there is no contact with the patient during defibrillation.

The pads need to be appropriately positioned on the patient's chest to allow the electrical current to map through the heart effectively; otherwise, the current may dissipate through the tissues superficially, causing burns at the site of the pads or elsewhere on the body. Additionally, if the skin is wet or if the pads are not in full contact with the skin, it can result in arcing, which can also lead to burns.

While other options present various consequences that may arise in the context of a medical emergency, they do not accurately capture the specific risks associated with improper defibrillation. For example, improved heart rhythm would be the intended outcome of proper defibrillation, not a complication. Cardiac arrest could potentially result from a lack of effective treatment but does not specifically relate to the act of performing defibrillation