The unresponsive patient was pulled from a frozen lake. A regular heart rhythm is noted on the monitor with a rate of 28 bpm. Upon assessment, there is no palpable pulse. The first responders report which rhythm to the receiving hospital?

Pulseless electrical activity (PEA). PEA or pulseless electrical activity is the presence of a cardiac electrical activity in the absence of a pulse (except for ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia). Unless proven otherwise, the patient described in the question has PEA. Sinus bradycardia would still create a palpable pulse. Even if the waveform is sinus, the PEA description takes precedence.

The unresponsive patient was pulled from a frozen lake. A regular...

NCLEX Practice
Categories
Physiological Adaptation
View Question

Category: Physiological Adaptation
Difficulty: 5

Topics: Cardiovascular Crisis Management Assessment

Want help? View the answer with rationale.

Additional Physiological Adaptation Questions

The patient is diagnosed with new, rapid atrial fibrillation and thinks the problem has been going on for two weeks. Which statement by the patient indicates an understanding of teaching about the diagnosis?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 5

Which statement is true regarding the provision of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the community with an automated external defibrillator (AED)?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 2

The nurse is providing diet education to a patient with left-sided heart failure. Which meal, if ordered by the patient, indicates the teaching has been effective?

Question Type: Multiple Choice - Select One
Difficulty: 2

Show Calculator

Want help? View the answer with rationale.

Rationale

Additional Physiological Adaptation Questions

Nursing Careers

Nursing Degrees

NCLEX