A patient in the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU)…

A patient in the Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU) develops a sudden onset of narrow-complex tachycardia with a rate of 220 beats per minute. The patient’s blood pressure is 124/64 and the pulse oximetry is 99%. The patient has vascular access in the right arm and has not been given any vasoactive drugs. A 12-lead ECG confirms supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with no evidence of cardiac ischemia. The heart rate has not responded to a modified valsalva maneuver. What is your next action?

A client converts from normal sinus rhythm at 80 bpm to atri…

A client converts from normal sinus rhythm at 80 bpm to atrial fibrillation with a ventricular response at 166 bpm. Blood pressure is 162/74 mm Hg. Respiratory rate is 20 breaths per minute with normal chest expansion and clear lungs bilaterally. IV heparin and Diltiazem are given. The nurse caring for the client understands that the main goal of treatment is what?