Question

The patient is admitted with sinus pauses causing periods of loss of consciousness. The patient is asymptomatic, awake and alert, but fatigued. He answers questions appropriately. When admitting this patient, the nurse should first:

a. prepare the patient for temporary pacemaker insertion.
b. prepare the patient for permanent pacemaker insertion.
c. assess the patient's medication profile.
d. apply transcutaneous pacemaker paddles.

Answer 1

The nurse should first assess the patient's medication profile before considering pacemaker insertion or other interventions, ensuring proper diagnosis and treatment of sinus pauses causing unconsciousness.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient is admitted with sinus pauses causing periods of loss of consciousness, the initial step in their care should be to assess the patient's medication profile. The patient is currently asymptomatic, awake, alert, and appropriately responsive despite reported fatigue. Before any interventions like the insertion of a temporary pacemaker or the application of transcutaneous pacemaker paddles, a thorough medication review is essential to identify any potential causes or contributing factors to the arrhythmia. Additionally, proper assessment and diagnosis are crucial before deciding whether a temporary or permanent pacemaker implantation is indicated.