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A nurse cares for a client who is on a cardiac monitor. The monitor displayed the rhythm shown below: Which action should the nurse take first?
- A. Assess airway, breathing, and level of consciousness
- B. Administer an amiodarone bolus followed by a drip
- C. Cardiovert the client with a biphasic defibrillator
- D. Begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ventricular dysrhythmias and ventricular fibrillation require immediate assessment of the client's airway, breathing, and level of consciousness to determine if the client is alert and breathing. If the client is pulseless, the nurse should call a Code Blue and begin CPR. Defibrillation is the treatment of choice for pulseless ventricular fibrillation. Amiodarone is the antiarrhythmic of choice, but it is not the first action.
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A nurse prepares to defibrillate a client who is in ventricular fibrillation. Which priority intervention should be performed prior to defibrillating the client?
- A. Make sure the defibrillator is set to the synchronous mode
- B. Administer 1 mg of intravenous epinephrine
- C. Assess that everyone is clear of contact with the client and the bed
- D. Assess that everyone is clear of contact with the client and the bed
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: To avoid injury, the rescuer commands that all personnel clear contact with the client or the bed and ensures their compliance before delivery of the shock. A precordial thump is not indicated when a defibrillator is available. Epinephrine administration is part of advanced cardiac life support but is not the priority before defibrillation.
A nurse assesses a clients electrocardiograph tracing and observes that not all QRS complexes are preceded by type of nurse. How should the nurse interprets this observation?
- A. The client has hyperkalemia causing irregular QRS complexes.
- B. Ventricular tachycardia is overriding the normal atrial rhythm?
- C. The clients chest leads are not making significant contact with the skin.
- D. Ventricular and atrial depolarizations are initiated from different sites.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Normal rhythm shows one P wave preceding each QRS complex, indicating that all depolarization is initiated at the sinoatrial node. QRS complexes without a P wave indicate a different source of initiation of depolarization. This findings on an electrocardiograph tracing is not an indication of hyperkalemia, ventricular tachycardia, or disconnection of leads.
A nurse assists with the cardioversion of a client experiencing acute atrial fibrillation. Which action should the nurse take prior to the initiation of cardioversion?
- A. Administer a sedative to reduce anxiety
- B. Turn off oxygen therapy
- C. Ensure a tongue blade is available
- D. Position the client on their side
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: For safety during cardioversion, the nurse should turn off any oxygen therapy to prevent fire. The other interventions are not appropriate for a cardioversion. The client should be placed in a supine position.
A nurse supervises an unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) applying electrocardiographic monitoring. Which statement should the nurse provide to the UAP related to this procedure?
- A. Clean the skin and clip hairs if needed
- B. Add gel to the chest prior to applying them
- C. Place the electrodes on the posterior chest
- D. Turn off oxygen prior to monitoring the client
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: To ensure the best signal transmission, the skin should be clean and hairs clipped. Electrodes should be placed on the anterior chest, and no additional gel is needed. Oxygen has no impact on electrocardiographic monitoring.
A nurse assesses a clients electrocardiogram (ECG) and observes the reading shown below: How should the nurse document this clients ECG strip?
- A. Ventricular rhythm
- B. Ventricular fibrillation
- C. Sinus rhythm with premature atrial contractions (PACs)
- D. Sinus rhythm with premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Sinus rhythm with PVCs has an underlying regular sinus rhythm with ventricular depolarization that sometimes precedes atrial depolarization. Ventricular dysrhythmias and ventricular fibrillation would not have sinus beats present. Premature atrial contractions are atrial contractions initiated from another region of the atria before the sinus node initiates atrial depolarization.