The electrical activity of the client's heart is being continuously monitored while he is on the coronary care unit. Suddenly, the nurse finds that the client is experiencing ventricular fibrilla-tion
Which of the following actions should the nurse prepare to take? a. Administer atropine.
b. Prepare for CPR and defibrillation.
c. Prepare the client for surgical placement of a pacemaker.
d. Instruct the client to perform the Valsalva manoeuvre.
B
The nurse should prepare for CPR and defibrillation. Ventricular fibrillation is a life-threatening rhythm.
Atropine is used for sinus bradycardia with hypotension and decreased cardiac output. In this case, the nurse should prepare to administer CPR, not atropine.
A pacemaker may be required for the client with sinus bradycardia. It is not the treatment for ventricular fibrillation.
The Valsalva manoeuvre is used to treat supraventricular tachycardia, not ventricular fibrillation.
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A client with a diagnosis of depression has not seen her mood and affect improve with the use of antidepressants, and the worsening of her symptoms has prompted her physician to order ECT
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