Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 85%
Simulated
A nurse is caring for a client who develops a ventricular fibrillation rhythm. The client is unresponsive, pulseless, and apneic. Which of the following actions is the nurse's priority?
Correct answer
B
Rationale
Defibrillation is the priority action for a client in ventricular fibrillation. This life-threatening arrhythmia causes the heart to quiver rather than pump effectively, and defibrillation is the only way to restore a normal rhythm. Immediate defibrillation is critical to prevent death.