Cardiac Rhythm Monitoring in the ASC

A patient in PACU is on a three-lead monitor. You notice the line looks messy and irregular, but the patient is awake, talking, and has a good pulse. What should you do first?

Which rhythm is considered normal sinus rhythm?

A sedated patient’s heart rate drops to 42 bpm and blood pressure is 72/40. What is the nurse’s best action?

Which of the following is a shockable rhythm under ACLS guidelines?

A patient suddenly collapses. The monitor shows a flat line. What should you do first?

Rhythm strip shows regular rhythm, rate 80 bpm, upright P waves before each QRS, PR interval 0.16 sec, QRS narrow.

Rhythm strip shows irregularly irregular rhythm, no visible P waves, narrow QRS complexes, rate ~110 bpm.

Rhythm strip shows sawtooth “flutter” waves, rate ~150 bpm, consistent pattern, narrow QRS.

Rhythm strip shows wide, regular complexes at 180 bpm, no P waves. Patient is pulseless.

Rhythm strip shows chaotic, disorganized electrical activity with no identifiable P, QRS, or T waves. Patient is pulseless.