Safety & ProfessionalismQuestion 88 of 100
While attaching electrodes, the technician sees ventricular fibrillation appear on the screen and the patient becomes unresponsive. What is the first action?
a.Finish the 12-lead so the physician has a complete record
b.Document the time and rhythm in the chart
c.Reposition the electrodes to rule out artifact
d.Call for help and activate the facility's emergency response, then begin CPR according to training
Explanation
Ventricular fibrillation in an unresponsive patient is a cardiac arrest, and survival depends on immediate activation of the emergency response and prompt CPR and defibrillation. Completing the test or charting first wastes critical minutes. Checking for artifact is appropriate only when the patient is awake and stable, which is not the case here.
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