Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 95%
Simulated
Passage / Scenario
A nursing student is looking at a telemetry screen with multiple rhythms. The unit is a step-down cardiac unit with delicate patients. Patients on Census. The unit has:1. 84-year-old male with AFib, diaphoretic, and complaining of fatigue.
2. 45-year-old female with SVT not responding to adenosine.
3. 78-year-old female with bradycardia who was given atropine and epinephrine, yet unresolved.
4. 80-year-old male in pulseless Ventricular fibrillation being coded and transferred to Intensive Care Unit.
5. 69-year-old female who arrived at the unit symptomatic and currently being coded is pulseless with Ventricular Tachycardia.
The nurse on the step-down unit explains to the nursing student the electricity to be used for each dysrhythmia. Select the correct electricity to be used to manage the dysrhythmias listed:Transcutaneous Pacing, Defibrillation, or Synchronized cardioversion?Dysrhythmias:
Rationale
Correct Answer:
Rationale:
- Ventricular fibrillation requires Defibrillation to deliver a shock to reset the heart's electrical activity.
- PVC-run ventricular tachycardia with a pulse should be managed with synchronized cardioversion to restore normal rhythm.
- Atrial Flutter also requires Synchronized cardioversion to correct the rhythm.
- Bradycardia with input type Check should be managed by checking and addressing the underlying cause, not with any of the listed electrical interventions.
Rationale:
- Ventricular fibrillation requires Defibrillation to deliver a shock to reset the heart's electrical activity.
- PVC-run ventricular tachycardia with a pulse should be managed with synchronized cardioversion to restore normal rhythm.
- Atrial Flutter also requires Synchronized cardioversion to correct the rhythm.
- Bradycardia with input type Check should be managed by checking and addressing the underlying cause, not with any of the listed electrical interventions.