The nurse realizes that the patient in the critical care area with ventricular t

The nurse should immediately assess the patient to see how the potentially life-threatening rhythm is being tolerated. The nurse should be prepared to cardiovert the patient in ventricular tachycardia with a pulse according to standing prescriptions. The nurse in critical care needs to be aware of standing prescriptions for each patient prior to an emergent event and needs to have the necessary emergency equipment and medications ready. Class III antidysrhythmic medications (potassium channel blockers) are typically administered. Observation prior to calling a physician is not an appropriate action when a potentially life-threatening rhythm is identified. Defibrillation is only conducted in ventricular tachycardia when the patient is pulseless; otherwise, time is taken to synchronize for cardioversion.

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