A patient who was admitted with a myocardial infarction experiences a 45-second episode of ventricular tachycardia, then converts to sinus rhythm with a heart rate of 98 beats/minute. Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
a. Immediately notify the health care provider.
b. Document the rhythm and continue to monitor the patient.
c. Perform synchronized cardioversion per agency dysrhythmia protocol.
d. Prepare to give IV amiodarone (Cordarone) per agency dysrhythmia protocol.
ANS: D
The burst of sustained ventricular tachycardia indicates that the patient has significant ventricular irritability, and antidysrhythmic medication administration is needed to prevent further episodes. The nurse should notify the health care provider after the medication is started. Defibrillation is not indicated given that the patient is currently in a sinus rhythm. Documentation and continued monitoring are not adequate responses to this situation.
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