A patient has a normal cardiac rhythm and a heart rate of 72 beats/minute. The nurse determines that the P-R interval is 0.24 seconds. The most appropriate intervention by the nurse would be to
a. notify the health care provider immediately.
b. give atropine per agency dysrhythmia protocol.
c. prepare the patient for temporary pacemaker insertion.
d. document the finding and continue to monitor the patient.
ANS: D
First-degree atrioventricular (AV) block is asymptomatic and requires ongoing monitoring because it may progress to more serious forms of heart block. The rate is normal, so there is no indication that atropine is needed. Immediate notification of the health care provider about an asymptomatic rhythm is not necessary.
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