A 60-year-old man collapses in a coffee shop and is unresponsive. What is the most appropriate next step after 2 minutes of chest compressions when an AED arrives?

The most appropriate next step after 2 minutes of chest compressions when an AED arrives is to continue CPR, turn on the AED, attach the pads, and wait for the AED to analyze the rhythm. This approach adheres to the guidelines for performing high-quality CPR and maximizing the chances of survival in a patient experiencing cardiac arrest.

Continuing CPR while the AED is being prepared is crucial as it helps maintain blood flow to vital organs, especially the brain and heart, during this critical time. The use of the AED is important once it arrives on the scene; however, the analysis of the heart rhythm should be done while compressions continue. Most AEDs will prompt the user to stop compressing to allow for analysis of the rhythm after the pads are attached, but until the pads are ready, ongoing compressions are preferred. This ensures that the heart remains perfused until a shock can be delivered, if needed.

This method optimizes the use of time and resources during a cardiac emergency by ensuring that care is constant and that the AED is ready to assist once the pads are applied and the rhythm analyzed. Each moment counts in such situations, and maintaining effective CPR is essential to improving the likelihood of a successful intervention.