A nurse is doing rounds and notes a patient in the following position: How would the nurse document this finding?

A. A high CVP, not a low CVP, is typically associated with fluid overload.
B. A low CVP indicates decreased fluid volume, which is characteristic of hypovolemia. This is particularly relevant to a patient with multiple traumas who may have significant blood loss.
C. While left ventricular failure can contribute to hemodynamic instability, it's not directly correlated with a low CVP.
D. This would affect the oxygenation status of the blood, rather than the overall blood volume and CVP.

A. Atrial fibrillation is consistent with the symptoms described. It causes irregular palpitations and dizziness due to the rapid and irregular ventricular rate. The significant pulse deficit can occur because the irregular rhythm may lead to intermittent weak or absent pulses. The ECG typically shows an irregular rhythm with no identifiable P waves and an irregularly irregular ventricular response.
B. Sinus bradycardia does not usually cause a rapid and irregular heart rate. It is characterized by a regular rhythm with a slow heart rate. While it can cause fatigue and dizziness, it does not typically present with an irregular rhythm or a significant pulse deficit. Therefore, it is less consistent with the symptoms described.
C. Sinus tachycardia is characterized by a rapid but regular heart rate. It does not typically present with an irregular rhythm or significant pulse deficit. While it may cause symptoms such as palpitations and

dizziness, the regular rhythm and absence of irregularity in the ECG make it less likely to be the cause of the significant irregular pulse deficit described.
D. First-degree AV block does not usually cause a rapid and irregular heart rate. It typically presents with a regular rhythm but with a prolonged PR interval. It is not typically associated with irregular palpitations or a significant pulse deficit. The symptoms described are not characteristic of first-degree AV block.