Final answer:
The nurse's first action after identifying ventricular tachycardia should be to assess airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). Immediate defibrillation may follow, using automated external defibrillators (AED), especially in the case of ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening condition. AEDs can analyze the heartbeat and provide verbal instructions for use, with CPR often recommended before defibrillation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse identifying ventricular tachycardia on a cardiac monitor, especially in a patient being evaluated for myocardial infarction, would first need to perform an assessment of airway, breathing, and circulation (ABCs). This is critical before taking further action such as resuscitation or defibrillation. In cases of cardiac or ventricular fibrillation where the heart beats irregularly, eliminating effective blood pump function, the immediate application of a defibrillator can be lifesaving by delivering a shock to correct the arrhythmia, allowing the body's natural pacemaker to resume a normal rhythm.
Automated external defibrillators (AED) have made it easier to address these emergencies, as they are designed to be used by the layperson and provide direct verbal instructions to help in crisis situations. These devices analyze the patient's heart rhythm and automatically apply a shock with the appropriate energy, often after CPR is recommended.
In the scenario provided, after assessing ABCs, the nurse could move to notify the "Code" team and healthcare provider, prepare for immediate defibrillation, or begin CPR, depending on the patient's specific situation and responses.