Atrial Dysrhythmia and Cardioversion You arc caring for a patient who was admitted for an dective ca.rcliovusion. She was seen in her physician's office this morning for complaints of SOB and...

Atrial Dysrhythmia and Cardioversion

You arc caring for a patient who was admitted for an dective ca.rcliovusion. She was seen in her physician's office this morning for complaints of SOB and palpitations that started around 7 AM. She has a history of hypertension and diabetes but no previous cardiac history. In the office, her ECG showed atrial fibrillation with a ventricular response between 120 and 130 beats/min. Previous ECGs had all shown normal sinus rhythm, and since her symptoms were new and time of onset was just a few hours ago, her physician dected to treat her with cardioversion. Her BP is 136174 and she is breathing comfortably at this time. You place her on the bedside cardiac monitor in lead V₁

What are the diagnostic features of AF that you expect to see on the monitor?

11 her admitting diagnosis of AF cmtect?

What other treatments beude1 electrical cardiovenion would be appropriate for managing this rhythm?

You gather the equipment and supplies needed for the cardioversion. The cardiologist arrives and an anesthesiologist is present to sedate the patient. The cardiologist asks you to deliver a 100 joule shock after the patient is asleep.

What safety con1ideration1 an: necenary before delivering the cardioversion shock?

The shock is ddivercd and Figure 3-23B shows the post-shock rhythm.

What is the rhythm?