Final answer:
During transport, continuous monitoring of heart rhythm is essential, with readiness to perform defibrillation or administer medication if arrhythmias occur. A pacemaker may be used for chronic conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rhythm interpretation during transport is crucial for the management of patients with heart arrhythmias. Those with severe symptoms may need urgent treatment with a controlled electric shock in the form of cardioversion or defibrillation. This action is similar to "rebooting" the heart to restore a normal rhythm. Additionally, for chronic arrhythmia cases, the heart may maintain a junctional rhythm originating in the AV node. To address this, a cardiologist may implant an artificial pacemaker which delivers electrical impulses to the heart muscle to maintain an effective pumping action.
Pacemakers can be programmed to provide stimulation either temporarily or continuously, and some also integrate defibrillators. During transport, it's essential to continually monitor the patient's heart rhythm, be prepared to administer antiarrhythmic medications or blood thinners, and have defibrillation equipment ready if needed to manage potential complications.