Final answer:
If ventricular tachycardia is observed on an ECG monitor, urgent medical attention is required. Defibrillation may be needed to correct the heart rhythm and AEDs can be used in public areas for rapid response.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you recognize ventricular tachycardia on the ECG monitor, immediate action is required. Ventricular tachycardia can deteriorate into more severe conditions such as ventricular fibrillation, which is a medical emergency. As the abnormal electrical pattern increases the frequency between the QRS complexes, leading to a faster heart rate (pulse), it indicates that the heart is not pumping blood efficiently. In a hospital setting, this could quickly escalate to a 'code blue' situation.
In response to ventricular tachycardia, if the patient is stable and has a pulse, medications and cardiac consultation might be necessary. In cases where the patient becomes unstable or pulseless, urgent treatment with a controlled electric shock, in the form of defibrillation or cardioversion, may be required. Defibrillation is the most direct intervention, where special paddles apply a charge to the heart from an external electrical source to reestablish a normal sinus rhythm.
Outside of the hospital, early use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) can be crucial. AEDs can deliver a shock that may terminate the arrhythmia and allow the heart's natural pacemaker to resume normal rhythm. These devices are often located in public areas and are designed to be used by nonmedical personnel, with voice-guided instructions to facilitate rapid response in an emergency situation.