The nurse is caring for a client in the telemetry unit and notices the rhythm below. The client is unresponsive and pulseless. After calling for assistance, what should be the nurse's next action?

Cardiovert in the synchronized mode.

Defibrillate immediately with a biphasic machine.

Take a full set of vital signs.

Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is B

A. Cardiovert in the synchronized mode: Synchronized cardioversion is used for hemodynamically unstable but conscious patients with rhythms like atrial fibrillation or supraventricular tachycardia. It is not appropriate for a pulseless patient with ventricular fibrillation, as synchronization requires detectable R-waves.

B. Defibrillate immediately with a biphasic machine: The rhythm strip shows ventricular fibrillation (VF) a life-threatening arrhythmia characterized by chaotic, irregular waveform with no identifiable PQRST and no effective cardiac output. The patient is unresponsive and pulseless, making immediate defibrillation the priority action, as per Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) guidelines.

C. Take a full set of vital signs: The client is already unresponsive and pulseless, making a full set of vitals irrelevant at this moment. Immediate resuscitation efforts, including defibrillation and CPR, take priority.

D. Initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation: While CPR is a critical part of the algorithm for pulseless rhythms, defibrillation is the first priority in ventricular fibrillation when a defibrillator is available and ready. CPR should be started immediately after the shock if no pulse returns.

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Correct Answer is C

Explanation

A. Atria is taking longer to depolarize and contract: This would be indicated by a prolonged or abnormal P wave, not a normal PR interval. The rhythm strip shows clearly visible, normal-appearing P waves followed by QRS complexes, ruling this out as the correct interpretation.

B. Conduction time is slowed from the SA node to the ventricles: A slowed conduction time would result in a PR interval longer than 0.20 seconds, characteristic of first-degree AV block. The PR interval on this strip measures within the standard range (0.12–0.20 seconds), so this is not accurate.

C. The PR interval is within the normal time limits: The PR interval on the ECG strip spans about 3 to 4 small boxes (0.12–0.16 seconds), which is within the normal range of 0.12 to 0.20 seconds. This indicates normal conduction from the atria through the AV node to the ventricles.

D. Ventricular repolarization is delayed: Delayed ventricular repolarization refers to a prolonged QT interval, not an abnormality in the PR interval. The PR interval evaluates atrial conduction, not ventricular repolarization, so this is an incorrect association.

A. calculate the number of small squares between one QRS complex and the next one and divide by 1500. B. use the 3 second markers to count the number of QRS complexes in 6 seconds and multiply by 10. C. count the number of large squares in the R-R interval and divide by 300. D. print a 1-minute ECG strip and count the number of QRS complexes.

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

A. calculate the number of small squares between one QRS complex and the next one and divide by 1500: This method provides an accurate heart rate calculation, but it is more time-consuming and typically used when precision is needed. It is not the quickest method for rapid bedside estimation of rate.

B. use the 3 second markers to count the number of QRS complexes in 6 seconds and multiply by 10: This is the fastest and most commonly used method for quickly estimating heart rate on an ECG strip. By counting the QRS complexes in a 6-second interval and multiplying by 10, the nurse gets an approximate beats-per-minute rate.

C. count the number of large squares in the R-R interval and divide by 300: This method also provides a quick estimate of heart rate but is best suited for regular rhythms. If the rhythm is irregular, this approach can yield inaccurate results.

D. print a 1-minute ECG strip and count the number of QRS complexes: While accurate, this method is inefficient for quick bedside estimation and is rarely used in practice for rapid assessment due to the time it takes to obtain and interpret a full-minute strip.

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The nurse is caring for a client in the telemetry unit and notices the rhythm below. The client is unresponsive and pulseless. After calling for assistance, what should be the nurse's next action?

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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

The nurse who is working in the telemetry unit measures the PR interval of the client's rhythm strip depicted below. What is the nurse's analysis of the PR interval?

Correct Answer is C

Explanation

When using an ECG rhythm strip to quickly estimate the ventricular rate for a client, the nurse should:

Correct Answer is B

Explanation

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