How is ventricular tachycardia without a pulse treated?

How is ventricular tachycardia without a pulse treated?

• A. Synchronized cardioversion
• B. Observation
• C. Defibrillate (unsynchronized) + CPR
• D. Adenosine

Answer: (C)

Pulseless ventricular tachycardia is a cardiac arrest from a shockable rhythm, so the priority is rapid defibrillation. Deliver an unsynchronized shock to terminate the tachyarrhythmia, then immediately begin CPR and continue ACLS steps. If the patient had a pulse, the approach would be synchronized cardioversion rather than unsynchronized defibrillation. Observation won’t address the life-threatening rhythm, and adenosine is not effective for ventricular tachycardia and can be harmful in this scenario.

Pulseless ventricular tachycardia is a cardiac arrest from a shockable rhythm, so the priority is rapid defibrillation. Deliver an unsynchronized shock to terminate the tachyarrhythmia, then immediately begin CPR and continue ACLS steps. If the patient had a pulse, the approach would be synchronized cardioversion rather than unsynchronized defibrillation. Observation won’t address the life-threatening rhythm, and adenosine is not effective for ventricular tachycardia and can be harmful in this scenario.