Question

The telemetry technician notified Nurse Allyson that Mr. Jones is having arrhythmia. Which of the following is the priority nursing intervention at this time?

1) Administer medication to stabilize the heart rhythm
2) Notify the physician immediately
3) Prepare for cardioversion
4) Assess the patient's vital signs and oxygen saturation levels

Answer 1

The priority nursing intervention when a patient is having an arrhythmia is to assess the patient's vital signs and oxygen saturation to guide further treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority nursing intervention for a patient, Mr. Jones, who is experiencing arrhythmia is to first assess the patient's vital signs and oxygen saturation levels. This initial assessment includes checking the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation (SpO2) to determine the severity of the arrhythmia and the patient's overall hemodynamic stability. Based on the assessment findings, nursing and medical interventions can be prioritized. Interventions may range from the administration of medication, to preparing for potential cardioversion, or notifying the physician depending on the urgency and the patient's condition. It is always critical to assess first to obtain objective data guiding appropriate and timely interventions.