Dysrhythmia Treatment Modalities worksheet
(Answers can be found within the power point document).
Key things to consider
– Is the patient symptomatic? Chest pain, dyspnea, dizzy, diaphoretic, cool/clammy.
– No – might just observe
– Yes- likely will treat.
– Is the patient hemodynamically unstable? low blood pressure, ↓ LOC, ↓
Oxygenation, pulse/pulseless.
– No - but Yes to symptoms then treat – may need IVP medication/s
– Yes - treat quickly. May need IVP meds OR cardioversion/defib, BLS --do NOT forget
about your initial assessment = BLS steps (1) scene/ environment safety, (2) assess for signs of
life = breathing/pulse, hey are you okay? (4) call code/911, (5) compressions, etc
Important Points
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Cardioversion vs. Defibrillation
• Both use electrical energy to “reboot/restart” the heart – after electricity is delivered, there is a
cessation of all electrical activity, a flat line will appear on the monitor, followed by the initiation
of, hopefully, a return to their normal rhythm a “resetting” of the electrical activity allowing
the SA node (natural pacemaker) to once again “take charge” of electrical conduction
• Cardioversion
– Used when the patient has a pulse.
– Usually lower amount of electricity/energy is used (not tested on amount of energy
used).
– Must hit the synchronized button – tell yourself synchronized cardioversion.
• Once the sync button is pushed you will see spikes on the “R” wave. The
electricity must be delivered on the R wave. If the electricity is delivered on the
“T” wave (when the ventricle is resting) – can send them into V fib -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpoubRYVdhs ----- nice You Tube video.
This study source was downloaded by 1244232 from cliffsnotes.com on 08-06-2025 06:10:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.cliffsnotes.com//study-notes/27994838
, • Defibrillation
– Used when the patient does not have a pulse.
– Higher amount of electricity/energy used.
– Who cares when you deliver the shock – the patient does not have a pulse and is dead
or will be shortly! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOfZ_IUpvns
PLEASE SEE HANDOUT "Emergency Treatment of Lethal or Unstable Dysrhythmias and know
WELL.
1. Man presents with dizziness, feels like he's going to pass out. His B/P is 80/40, O2 sat 98%.
Identify the rhythm and treatment?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Could be the same treatment as 1 above.
This study source was downloaded by 1244232 from cliffsnotes.com on 08-06-2025 06:10:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.cliffsnotes.com//study-notes/27994838
(Answers can be found within the power point document).
Key things to consider
– Is the patient symptomatic? Chest pain, dyspnea, dizzy, diaphoretic, cool/clammy.
– No – might just observe
– Yes- likely will treat.
– Is the patient hemodynamically unstable? low blood pressure, ↓ LOC, ↓
Oxygenation, pulse/pulseless.
– No - but Yes to symptoms then treat – may need IVP medication/s
– Yes - treat quickly. May need IVP meds OR cardioversion/defib, BLS --do NOT forget
about your initial assessment = BLS steps (1) scene/ environment safety, (2) assess for signs of
life = breathing/pulse, hey are you okay? (4) call code/911, (5) compressions, etc
Important Points
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Cardioversion vs. Defibrillation
• Both use electrical energy to “reboot/restart” the heart – after electricity is delivered, there is a
cessation of all electrical activity, a flat line will appear on the monitor, followed by the initiation
of, hopefully, a return to their normal rhythm a “resetting” of the electrical activity allowing
the SA node (natural pacemaker) to once again “take charge” of electrical conduction
• Cardioversion
– Used when the patient has a pulse.
– Usually lower amount of electricity/energy is used (not tested on amount of energy
used).
– Must hit the synchronized button – tell yourself synchronized cardioversion.
• Once the sync button is pushed you will see spikes on the “R” wave. The
electricity must be delivered on the R wave. If the electricity is delivered on the
“T” wave (when the ventricle is resting) – can send them into V fib -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpoubRYVdhs ----- nice You Tube video.
This study source was downloaded by 1244232 from cliffsnotes.com on 08-06-2025 06:10:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.cliffsnotes.com//study-notes/27994838
, • Defibrillation
– Used when the patient does not have a pulse.
– Higher amount of electricity/energy used.
– Who cares when you deliver the shock – the patient does not have a pulse and is dead
or will be shortly! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOfZ_IUpvns
PLEASE SEE HANDOUT "Emergency Treatment of Lethal or Unstable Dysrhythmias and know
WELL.
1. Man presents with dizziness, feels like he's going to pass out. His B/P is 80/40, O2 sat 98%.
Identify the rhythm and treatment?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Could be the same treatment as 1 above.
This study source was downloaded by 1244232 from cliffsnotes.com on 08-06-2025 06:10:17 GMT -05:00
https://www.cliffsnotes.com//study-notes/27994838
