Final answer:
A Certified Patient Care Technician should use an electrocardiogram to determine the pulse rate of a patient with atrial fibrillation due to the irregularity of the heartbeat. An Automated External Defibrillator may be used for severe arrhythmias and a pacemaker may be implanted for chronic conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the pulse rate of a patient with atrial fibrillation, a Certified Patient Care Technician (CPCT) should use an electrocardiogram (EKG). Atrial fibrillation involves fast and irregular heartbeats, where the electric signals are abnormally rapid and chaotic. As a result, the pulse can be difficult to measure accurately by traditional means due to its irregularity. An EKG, however, can provide a precise measurement by recording the heart's electrical activity.
Furthermore, in severe cases of arrhythmias, like fibrillation, controlled electric shock treatments such as cardioversion or defibrillation may be necessary. Automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which are commonly found in public places and carried in ambulances, can analyze a patient's heart rhythm and apply a shock to restore normal rhythm. Defibrillator paddles are also used in hospital settings.
It is important to note that while the CPCT may participate in the initial assessment and monitoring of a patient, using an AED or defibrillator paddles would typically be within the scope of practice of more advanced medical personnel, such as nurses or emergency responders. Additional treatments for chronic arrhythmias may include the implantation of an artificial pacemaker which is programmed to stimulate the heart and maintain a normal rate.