Question

A 53-year-old man has shortness of breath, chest discomfort, and weakness. The patients blood pressure is 102/59 mm hg, the heart rate is 230/min, the respiratory rate is 16 breaths/min, and the pulse oximetry reading is 96%. The lead II ECG is displayed below. Patient has a peripheral IV is in place. What is the next action? (strip missing displays tachycardic sinus rhythm with narrow QRS)

Answer 1

The next action for a 53-year-old man with severe tachycardia and symptoms of instability is immediate medical intervention, possibly including medication or cardioversion and treatment of the underlying cause.

Step-by-step explanation:

The next action for a 53-year-old man with a heart rate of 230 beats per minute (bpm) is likely to be urgent medical intervention to address the tachycardia. Given that the narrow QRS complex is suggestive of a supraventricular origin and the rapid heart rate accompanied by symptoms such as weakness and chest discomfort, it is critical. The initial steps might involve administration of fast-acting medications to slow down the heart rate or cardioversion if drug therapy is ineffective. It is equally important to identify and treat the underlying cause. Measures, such as supplemental oxygen, will likely be considered based on his pulse oximetry reading and other clinical signs.

Overall, rapid assessment and management of this hemodynamic instability to prevent organ damage and to stabilize the patient are the immediate priorities in this medical emergency.