Question

The nurse is assisting to defibrillate a client in ventricular fibrillation. After placing the paddles on the client's chest and before discharging them, which intervention should be done?

1.Ensure that the client has been intubated.
2.Set the defibrillator to the "synchronize" mode.
3.Administer an amiodarone bolus intravenously.
4.Confirm that the rhythm is actually ventricular fibrillation.

Answer 1

Before defibrillating, the most critical step is to confirm that the rhythm is actually ventricular fibrillation. This intervention ensures that defibrillation is appropriate. Administering medication or setting to synchronize are not immediate actions at this point.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assisting in the defibrillation of a client in ventricular fibrillation, it is crucial to perform certain steps before discharging the defibrillator paddles. After placing the paddles on the client's chest, the most immediate and essential intervention is to confirm that the rhythm is actually ventricular fibrillation. This step ensures that the defibrillation is indeed the appropriate treatment. Ensuring proper intubation and setting the defibrillator to synchronize mode are not immediate actions in this scenario, and while administering an amiodarone bolus may be part of the treatment protocol, it is not a prerequisite for defibrillation. The defibrillator paddles or pads, used in hospital settings, deliver a controlled electric shock in an attempt to reset the heart's rhythm to a normal pattern.