The nurse is evaluating the following rhythm strip on a client in the telemetry unit. The client is alert and oriented but complains of slight nausea after eating breakfast. What is the nurse's best action?

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.

A. “I probably will not have any transfusion reactions from my own blood.” - Autologous transfusions
generally have a lower risk of transfusion reactions because they involve the client’s own blood.
B. “This is the blood I’ve been giving for the past 6 weeks for myself.” - This is a correct understanding of the process of autologous blood donation, where the client donates blood for their own use.
C. An autologous blood transfusion involves the collection and storage of a patient's own blood for later transfusion. This significantly reduces the risk of bloodborne infections, such as hepatitis, HIV, and other blood-borne diseases, as the blood is coming from the patient themselves.
D. “Since I have O negative blood, it’s a good thing I’m getting my own blood.” - The client may not need additional teaching here because O negative blood is universally compatible, but the reason they are getting their own blood is due to the autologous donation process, not because of blood type.