CHAPTER 1 Cardiovascular System^59
- Defibrillation (refer to ACLS protocol).
- Endotracheal intubation to manually compress a bag to squeeze air (referred
to as bag valve mask ventilation) and thus, oxygen, into the lungs. - Administer buffering agent to correct acidosis:
- sodium bicarbonate
- Administer antiarrhythmics to control arrhythmia:
- lidocaine
- epinephrine
- bretylium
- procainamide
NURSING DIAGNOSES
- Impaired gas exchange
- Decreased cardiac output
- Ineffective tissue perfusion
NURSING INTERVENTION
- Begin CPR (place on monitor, BP, P, R, pulse-oximetry.
- Perform defibrillation, if certified.
- Prepare to administer medications per physician’s order or protocol.
- Explain to the patient:
- Note: Patient is more than likely noncoherent. Speak to family.
- Call the physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant if the patient
experiences dizziness. - The importance of regular examinations.
Ventricular Tachycardia
WHAT WENT WRONG?
Abnormal electrical impulses within the ventricles cause the heart to contract more
than 160 beats per minute. This results in inadequate filling of the ventricles with
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