A 67-year-old patient is unresponsive, and an EMT checks for a pulse prior to applying...

The correct answer is B. Ventricular tachycardia only.

Key Concept: Shockable Rhythms and Pulse Presence

The two primary shockable rhythms are:

Ventricular fibrillation (VF)

Ventricular tachycardia (VT)

Ventricular Fibrillation (VF):

Chaotic, disorganized electrical activity

No effective cardiac output

Always pulseless

NREMT-aligned reference:

“Ventricular fibrillation results in no pulse due to ineffective quivering of the ventricles.”

Ventricular Tachycardia (VT):

Rapid, organized ventricular rhythm

May be:

Pulseless VT (cardiac arrest)

Perfusing VT (with a pulse)

NREMT-aligned reference:

“Ventricular tachycardia may present with or without a pulse.”

Why B is correct:

Only ventricular tachycardia can sometimes produce a pulse

VF never produces a pulse

Why the other options are incorrect:

A. VF only → Incorrect; VF is always pulseless

C. Both → Incorrect; VF cannot produce a pulse

D. Neither → Incorrect; VT can produce a pulse

Exact Extracts (NREMT/AHA-aligned references):

“Shockable rhythms include ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia.”

“Ventricular tachycardia may be with or without a pulse.”

“Ventricular fibrillation produces no cardiac output.”

Clinical Priority Summary:

Among shockable rhythms, only ventricular tachycardia can still produce a pulse, making B the correct answer.