Final answer:
It is true that if a patient with ventricular tachycardia (VT) has a pulse, the condition can quickly lead to loss of pulse and cardiac arrest. External Automated Defibrillators (EADs) are life-saving devices used in such emergencies to administer defibrillation and re-establish a normal heart rhythm. Without prompt treatment, VT can escalate to ventricular fibrillation, leading to potentially fatal outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that "If a patient presents with VT with a pulse, they won't have a pulse for long" addresses the severity of ventricular tachycardia (VT) when a pulse is present. It is true that if a patient is experiencing VT with a pulse, it is a critical situation that can quickly deteriorate, leading to ventricular fibrillation or cardiac arrest if not promptly treated. During VT, the heart beats at a rapid rate and can be inefficient at pumping blood, which, if sustained, can result in fainting, collapse, or loss of pulse due to the deteriorating cardiac output.
External Automated Defibrillators (EADs) are crucial in such emergencies as they provide an electrical shock, known as defibrillation, to the heart. This shock aims to halt the chaotic heart rhythm and allows the heart's normal pacemaker cells to re-establish a regular rhythm. Without rapid defibrillation, ventricular tachycardia can lead to ventricular fibrillation, a more serious condition where the heart quivers ineffectively instead of pumping, ultimately leading to cessation of blood flow, brain death, and if left untreated, death of the patient.