Complete the following sentence from the list of options

Monitor

The nurse is caring for a client who is admitted to the telemetry unit with a new onset of the following rhythm. The nurse assesses the rhythm as

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. The nurse plans to administer

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- for the rhythm and intravenous

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- to prevent blood clots.

A. Clients with left-sided heart failure often experience symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue, and fluid retention, which limit physical activity. However, they may still feel relatively comfortable when resting.
B. These symptoms are more commonly associated with allergic reactions or side effects of medications (such as ACE inhibitors) rather than heart failure.
C. This is not typical in the later stages of left-sided heart failure. In fact, clients may experience reduced urine output due to poor kidney perfusion.
D. Chest pain can occur due to ischemia, but this is not a hallmark symptom of left-sided heart failure, which is more characterized by dyspnea and fatigue.

A. Reporting the findings and anticipating a prescription for amiodarone may be necessary later, but the first step is to assess the patient's immediate condition (unresponsiveness, pulse status, etc.).
B. Although increasing monitor sensitivity and initiating a rapid response call might be helpful, these actions come after assessing the patient’s condition. If the patient is in distress or unresponsive, the nurse needs to check for a pulse and intervene right away.
C. This is a crucial action if the patient is unresponsive and pulseless (cardiac arrest). If the patient is found to be unresponsive and pulseless, starting chest compressions immediately and preparing for defibrillation is the next step. However, the first action is to check for pulse and responsiveness.
Why it's incorrect: Compressions and defibrillation are correct actions if the patient is pulseless, but before taking these steps, the nurse must assess the patient for responsiveness and check the carotid pulse. Starting CPR and preparing defibrillation without verifying the patient's condition could delay appropriate care.
D. Checking responsiveness and pulse is the most immediate and critical action because VT may be asymptomatic or cause deterioration, including cardiac arrest. Once pulse and responsiveness are determined, appropriate interventions (such as defibrillation or CPR) can be initiated quickly.