The patient in pulseless ventricular tachycardia is defibrillated twice and received appropriate meds given per ACLS protocol. The following rhythm is now present. What should the nurse do next?
1. Continue monitoring and observing the patient for PVCs.
2. Place the patient on a maintenance lidocaine infusion.
3. Realize that the patient has been successfully converted to NSR.
4. Check the patient for a pulse and continue CPR if one is not present.
4
Rationale 1: Further assessment is needed to determine if the treatment was successful.
Rationale 2: Lidocaine is not indicated at this time and is used for ventricular dysrhythmias not responsive to other medications.
Rationale 3: Without further assessment, this cannot be determined.
Rationale 4: The return of a pulse should be assessed after defibrillating the patient to determine that the patient is not in pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Without verifying pulses, NSR cannot be determined.
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