What is the primary purpose of using pediatric pads on a child?

The primary purpose of using pediatric pads on a child is to ensure effective shock delivery. Pediatric pads are specifically designed for use on children because they have a lower energy output that is appropriate for a child's smaller body size and heart. This adjustment helps to deliver the electrical shock more safely and effectively, maximizing the chances of restoring a normal heart rhythm during a cardiac arrest situation.

Using adult pads on children could result in higher currents being delivered, which may not only be ineffective but also potentially harmful. Therefore, the use of pediatric pads is critical in ensuring that the defibrillation is administered at the right energy level for a child, resulting in the best possible outcomes during resuscitation efforts.

While minimizing discomfort, providing additional assistance, and reducing the time of CPR might also be relevant considerations in a broader context, the direct critical factor in successful defibrillation in pediatric patients is effective shock delivery, which pediatric pads facilitate.