Question

A patient has a witnessed loss of consciousness. The lead II ECG reveals this rhythm. Which is the appropriate treatment?

A) Sinus Bradycardia: Administer atropine.

B) Ventricular Tachycardia: Perform synchronized cardioversion.

C) Third-Degree Heart Block: Insert a temporary pacemaker.

D) Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): Administer adenosine.

E) Asystole: Initiate high-quality CPR and administer epinephrine.

Answer 1

For a third-degree heart block indicated by an ECG, the correct treatment is inserting a temporary pacemaker to maintain a proper heart rate and effective blood pumping.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient has a witnessed loss of consciousness and the lead II ECG reveals a third-degree heart block, the appropriate treatment would be C) Inserting a temporary pacemaker. Third-degree heart block is a type of arrhythmia where there's no correlation between the atrial and ventricular activity, meaning the electrical signals from the atria are not properly conducted to the ventricles. In such cases, a temporary pacemaker can be used to maintain an adequate heart rate and ensure the heart continues to pump blood effectively. Other treatment options vary depending on the type of arrhythmia present.