A number of patients in an acute cardiac care unit of a hospital have diagnoses of impaired cardiac conduction. Which of the following patients is most deserving of immediate medical attention?
A) A 46-year-old man whose cardiac telemetry shows him to be in ventricular tachycardia
B) A 69-year-old woman who has entered ventricular fibrillation
C) A 60-year-old man with premature ventricular contractions (PVC) and a history of atrial fibrillation
D) A 60-year-old woman who has just been diagnosed with a first-degree AV block

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Ventricular fibrillation, or ventricular flutter, is a life-threatening emergency that would necessitate immediate intervention. Ventricular tachycardia is also a serious condition but less so than ventricular fibrillation. PVCs and a first-degree AV block would not normally require emergency intervention.

A Number of Patients in an Acute Cardiac Care Unit