Final answer:
When administering adenosine to treat narrow-complex tachycardia, a provider should expect a transient asystole, which is a brief pause in heart rhythm before returning to normal.
Step-by-step explanation:
After administering adenosine for treatment of narrow-complex tachycardia with adequate perfusion, a provider should be alert for a result of transient asystole.
Adenosine works by momentarily stopping the heart's electrical conduction system to reset it, which can result in a brief period of asystole before the normal heart rhythm resumes. This effect is typically short-lived and is expected as part of the mechanism of action of adenosine in the correction of certain types of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). However, this can be alarming if not anticipated and properly monitored.