Question

1. You are caring for M.S.in the CCU, when all of a sudden the monitor alarm begins sounding. You look up and see ventricular tachycardia on the monitor. M.S. is unresponsive, pulseless, and apneic. Outline the steps you will take to treat this lethal arrhythmia:

2. You are also caring for A.B. who has had an inferior MI. His monitor alarm sounds off and you notice his heart rate has dropped to 38 beats per minute and he is having multiple premature ventricular beats. He is complaining of chest pain and looks apprehensive. His systolic BP has fallen 20 points from the reading one hour ago. Outline the steps you will take to treat Mr. Macon's rhythm disturbance:

3. Mr. Jones’s monitor alarm sounds and you look up to see asystole. Mr. Jones is unresponsive, pulseless, and apneic. Outline the steps you would take in managing this arrhythmia:

4. C. D., age 90, is eating lunch in her room in the CCU when her monitor alarms sound. You note she is in ventricular tachycardia. She is awake, alert, and seems concerned that you rushed in to check her V/S. Her HR is 150 and her BP is 120/78, which is unchanged from her last reading. She denies chest pain. Her skin is pink, warm, and dry. Outline the steps you would take in managing this arrhythmia:

Answer 1

1, Lethal arrhythmias:
-Defibrillation using automated external defibrillators helpful to regulate the rhythm
-Anti-arrhythmic drugs can prevent a fast heart rate.
-Catheter ablation
-Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator(ICD)
2, Premature ventricular contraction:
-Beta-blockers can suppress premature contractions.
-calcium channel blockers, antiarrhythmic drugs can regulate the heartbeat.
-Radiofrequency catheter ablation can treat irregular contractions.
3, Asystole:
-Immediate CRP required
-administer epinephrine 1mg IV push
4, Ventricular tachycardia:
-Administer anti-arrhythmic drugs like lidocaine to regulate heart rate.