Which device is used to detect abnormal electrical activity in the heart and can administer a shock?

The device designed specifically to detect abnormal electrical activity in the heart and also administer a shock is the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The AED is equipped with sensors that monitor the heart's electrical rhythms. When it detects a life-threatening arrhythmia, such as ventricular fibrillation, it can deliver an electric shock to restore a normal rhythm.

The AED is often used in emergency situations to quickly respond to cardiac arrest, making it crucial for saving lives in cases of sudden heart failure. Its portability and ease of use allow even bystanders with minimal training to help in critical scenarios.

In contrast, devices like cardiac monitors and electrocardiograms (ECGs) serve primarily to monitor and record the heart's electrical activity without the capability to deliver a shock. A pacemaker, while it can help manage abnormal heart rhythms, primarily delivers electrical impulses to stimulate the heart rather than to correct life-threatening arrhythmias through defibrillation.