A patient's cardiac monitor shows a pattern of undulations of ...

[DyllonKazuo]

A patient's cardiac monitor shows a pattern of undulations of varying contours and amplitude with no measurable ECG pattern. The patient is unconscious and pulseless. Which action should the nurse take first?
 
  a. Perform immediate defibrillation.
  b. Give epinephrine (Adrenalin) IV.
  c. Prepare for endotracheal intubation.
  d. Give ventilations with a bag-valve-mask device.

Question 2

Which laboratory result for a patient with multifocal premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) is most important for the nurse to communicate to the health care provider?
 
  a. Blood glucose 243 mg/dL
  b. Serum chloride 92 mEq/L
  c. Serum sodium 134 mEq/L
  d. Serum potassium 2.9 mEq/L

[Melissahxx]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
The patient's rhythm and assessment indicate ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest; the initial action should be to defibrillate. If a defibrillator is not immediately available or is unsuccessful in converting the patient to a better rhythm, the other actions may be appropriate.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Hypokalemia increases the risk for ventricular dysrhythmias such as PVCs, ventricular tachycardia, and ventricular fibrillation. The health care provider will need to prescribe a potassium infusion to correct this abnormality. Although the other laboratory values also are abnormal, they are not likely to be the etiology of the patient's PVCs and do not require immediate correction.