The nurse is caring for a client admitted following a ST ele…
The nurse is caring for a client admitted following a ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). The client arrives from the cardiac catheterization lab to the ICU after having two stents placed in the right coronary artery (RCA). Two hours after arriving to the ICU, the nurse hears the monitor alarming and notes that the rhythm has changed. The patient no longer has identifiable P waves and has narrow QRS complexes. The heart rate is 167 BPM. The client’s blood pressure is decreasing and complains of lightheadedness and diaphoresis. Based on the client’s presentation and current clinical situation, what is the priority intervention at this time?