Question

Electrical cardioversion is not recommended as the initial therapy for patients unless the heart rate is above ________?

1) 60 bpm
2) 70 bpm
3) 80 bpm
4) 90 bpm

Answer 1

Electrical cardioversion is generally not the first line of treatment unless a patient's heart rate exceeds 100 bpm, which is considered tachycardia.

Step-by-step explanation:

Electrical cardioversion is not recommended as the initial therapy for patients unless the heart rate is above 100 bpm. The normal resting heart rate (HR) for an adult is in the range of 60-100 bpm. A condition known as tachycardia occurs when the resting HR is above 100 bpm. If resting HR is above this threshold, it may warrant electrical cardioversion, especially if the patient experiences symptoms such as dizziness, shortness of breath, or chest pain. It's important to note that variations in HR can be quite normal, depending on individual health factors and activity levels. In the context of this question, the appropriate choice that aligns with the provided information is the option indicating a heart rate above normal resting levels and into tachycardia territory.