Foundations and Adult Health Nursing Study Guide Answers Related

Review Foundations and Adult Health Nursing Study Guide Answers related questions and content

During surgery, the nurse notices an abnormal heart rhythm on the patient's cardiac monitor. What is the nurse's priority action?

  • A. Administer antiarrhythmic medication
  • B. Assess the patient's vital signs and symptoms
  • C. Document the rhythm in the patient's chart
  • D. Inform the anesthesiologist immediately
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The nurse's priority action when noticing an abnormal heart rhythm on the patient's cardiac monitor during surgery is to assess the patient's vital signs and symptoms. This is important because the nurse needs to gather more information about the patient's condition to determine the significance of the abnormal rhythm and the potential impact on the patient's health. By assessing the vital signs and symptoms, the nurse can obtain a more complete picture of the situation and make informed decisions about the next steps in caring for the patient. Once the assessment is done, appropriate actions such as administering medication or notifying the anesthesiologist can be taken based on the findings.