Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) Practice Exam

What determination is made for a stable cardiac rhythm?

1. Use of electrical methods

2. Use of chemical methods

3. Immediate defibrillation

4. Intensive care monitoring

The correct answer is: Use of chemical methods

In the context of assessing a stable cardiac rhythm, the focus is on managing the rhythm pharmacologically rather than through immediate physical interventions such as electrical methods or defibrillation. When a cardiac rhythm is stable, it typically indicates that the heart is effectively pumping blood and that a more conservative approach, such as the use of medications, is appropriate. Chemical methods can include administering antiarrhythmics or other drugs that can help stabilize the rhythm or address underlying issues without requiring invasive procedures. This approach is particularly relevant in cases of certain arrhythmias where the patient is not in immediate distress, allowing time for pharmacologic intervention instead of resorting to prompt electrical interventions or defibrillation, which are reserved for unstable rhythms or life-threatening scenarios. In this manner, the use of pharmacological interventions aligns with the principle of treating the patient appropriately based on their stability and the nature of their cardiac issue, prioritizing less invasive strategies first.