Medical-surgical Nursing Demystified

(^58) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified

• Explain to the patient:
  
  
  • Note: If asytole exists, patient is not conscious. Talk to family members if
    they are present. Refer to Basic Life Support (BLS) protocol.
  
  
  • Call the physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant if the patient
    experiences dizziness.
  
  
  • The importance of regular examinations.
  
  
  
  

Ventricular Fibrillation

WHAT WENT WRONG?

Electrical impulses, that trigger the ventricles to contract, fire erratically. This causes

the ventricles to quiver and prevents regular effective contractions, resulting in the

disruption of blood flow to the body. The usual causes are ventricular tachycardia,

electrolyte disturbances, myocardial infarction, electric shock, and drug toxicities.

PROGNOSIS

Prognosis depends on how long it takes to establish a beating heart.

HALLMARK SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

• No pulse


• Breathing is stopped (apnea)


• No palpable blood pressure

INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS

• Electrocardiogram:
  
  
  • Chaotic ventricular rhythm.
  
  
  • QRS irregular and wide.
  
  
  • P-wave barely noticeable.
  
  
  
  

TREATMENT

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).


• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).

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