Your patient is a 13 year-old male drowning victim. He was initially in cardiac arrest with a pulseless, wide-complex bradycardia. He is intubated and being ventilated with supplemental oxygen. After CPR and intubation, the patient is now in ventricular tachycardia with a weak radial pulse. Which of the following would be an appropriate treatment for this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient is in ventricular tachycardia with a weak radial pulse, indicating that he has a perfusing rhythm. Therefore, synchronized cardioversion would be the appropriate treatment to convert the patient back into a normal sinus rhythm. Amiodarone, lidocaine, and procainamide are all antiarrhythmic medications, but they are not typically used as first-line treatment for stable ventricular tachycardia.

Your Patient Is a 13 Year-Old Male Drowning Victim