A patient presents to the emergency department with palpitations, light-headedness, and a rapid pulse. On the monitor, you observe a narrow-complex tachycardia with no discernible P waves and a ventricular rate of 180 bpm. The patient is hemodynamically stable. What is the most appropriate initial intervention for this rhythm?
Give atropine intravenously.
Administer intravenous amiodarone over 10 minutes.
Perform immediate synchronized cardioversion.
Administer intravenous adenosine rapidly followed by a saline flush.
Adenosine is often used as an initial intervention for stable patients with narrow-complex tachycardias, particularly when the rhythm is suspected to be supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). It can help to restore a normal heart rhythm by temporarily slowing down the heart. Synchronized cardioversion is typically reserved for patients who are hemodynamically unstable. Amiodarone is used for ventricular dysrhythmias or atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response in certain cases, and atropine is used in the management of bradycardia, not tachycardia.
Ask Bash
Bash is our AI bot, trained to help you pass your exam. AI Generated Content may display inaccurate information, always double-check anything important.
What is the role of adenosine in treating narrow-complex tachycardia?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
Why is synchronized cardioversion not appropriate for stable patients?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
When would intravenous amiodarone be the first-line treatment?
Open an interactive chat with Bash
BCEN CEN
Cardiovascular Emergencies
Your Score:
Report Issue
Bash, the Crucial Exams Chat Bot
AI Bot
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Nursing and Medical Assistants Package Join Premium for Full Access