A nurse is monitoring a client on telemetry who has been admitted for new-onset chest pain. The nurse observes a change in the client’s rhythm from normal sinus rhythm to an irregular rhythm with no identifiable P waves and a wavy baseline. The client’s blood pressure is stable. Which action should the nurse take next?
Prepare the client for immediate defibrillation.
Continue observing the rhythm and document the findings in the client’s chart.
Assess the client and notify the healthcare provider.
Administer oxygen and increase the telemetry monitoring frequency.
The correct answer is to assess and notify the healthcare provider promptly. The described telemetry reading is consistent with atrial fibrillation (AF), an irregular rhythm where the atria quiver instead of contracting effectively. While the client is currently hemodynamically stable, this rhythm carries risks such as thromboembolism and potential loss of stable cardiac output. Immediate notification ensures timely management, identification of underlying causes, and the initiation of appropriate interventions, such as anticoagulation or rate/rhythm control. While administering oxygen may seem appropriate, there is no evidence the client is hypoxic, and unnecessary interventions should be avoided. Additionally, increasing cardiac monitoring alone does not address the underlying condition. Documentation is essential but should not delay immediate actions in managing a potentially serious rhythm change.
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