Final answer:
In Step 2 of the Adult Tachycardia Algorithm for Stable, Wide QRS, healthcare providers should consider the administration of adenosine as a potential intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Adult Tachycardia Algorithm is a clinical guideline used in emergency settings to manage patients with rapid heart rates. In Step 2, when dealing with stable patients presenting with a wide QRS complex on the electrocardiogram (ECG), healthcare providers may opt to administer adenosine.
Adenosine is a medication used to treat certain supraventricular tachycardias, and its mechanism of action involves slowing the electrical conduction through the heart, allowing the sinus node to regain control of the rhythm.
Adenosine is typically administered as a rapid intravenous (IV) bolus. The recommended initial dose is often 6 milligrams (mg) followed by a 20-milliliter (ml) saline flush. If there is no response, a second dose of 12 mg may be administered in a similar manner. Adenosine has a very short half-life, lasting only a few seconds, which is why it is administered rapidly. The goal is to terminate the abnormal rhythm and restore normal sinus rhythm.
In summary, Step 2 of the Adult Tachycardia Algorithm involves considering adenosine administration for stable patients with a wide QRS complex. Adenosine's rapid onset and short duration make it an effective intervention for certain supraventricular tachycardias, aiding in the restoration of normal heart rhythm in selected cases.