The AG-ACNP is caring for a 79-year-old male who has been su…

The AG-ACNP is caring for a 79-year-old male who has been successfully resuscitated. He had a sudden, witnessed collapse in a shopping mall where he was found to be in pulseless VT. He has a prior history of CAD with a single coronary stent placed 2 years ago. He now has stable vital signs but remains comatose. His 12-lead ECG shows ST segment depressions in the anterior leads. Which statement regarding the role of cardiac catheterization in his care is true?  Cardiac catheterization is:

An unrestrained driver presents to the ED after a head-on mo…

An unrestrained driver presents to the ED after a head-on motor vehicle crash with airbag deployment. The patient is awake and alert. GCS = 15. Vital signs: heart rate 94, blood pressure 138/78, respiratory rate 28, and SpO2 99% on room air. Chest wall is symmetrical, but tender to palpation. Breath sounds are diminished throughout related to shallow respirations. Chest x-ray is negative for any acute changes. Initial management should include which of the following?

An 83-year-old male who was on the telemetry unit for a hear…

An 83-year-old male who was on the telemetry unit for a heart failure exacerbation has been transferred to the intensive care unit due to new onset atrial fibrillation with a rapid ventricular response. He was given a diltiazem bolus followed by a continuous diltiazem infusion without successful rate control. It has been less than 48 hours and direct current cardioversion is being considered. The success of electrical cardioversion is inversely proportional to which of the following?