In pediatric CPR/AED terminology, pediatric refers to which age range for AED use?

• A. 1-8 years
• B. 0-12 years
• C. Newborn to 1 year
• D. Puberty to 18 years

Answer: (A)

In CPR/AED use, you tailor defibrillation to the patient’s size and age. Pediatric guidelines typically define this group as children who are not yet adolescents, with a common cutoff around 8 years old. The energy and pads used are different from adults to protect a smaller heart and chest.

The best answer is the range of 1 to 8 years because that window aligns with how pediatric settings are designed in many AEDs: lower energy and pediatric pads to suit a child’s physiology, while younger than 1 year (infants) usually has separate guidance, and those who are about to reach puberty are often treated as adults. The other ranges include ages outside this pediatric window (infants, older children nearing adolescence, or broad ages up to 12 or 18) and don’t match the typical pediatric AED guidance.