Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN) Practice Exam

What is the appropriate nursing action for a patient with bradycardia during cardiac arrest?

1. Administer adrenaline only

2. Perform direct electrical cardioversion

3. Provide high-quality chest compressions

4. Monitor for respiratory distress

The correct answer is: Provide high-quality chest compressions

In the scenario of a patient experiencing bradycardia during cardiac arrest, the focus should be on providing high-quality chest compressions. This action is crucial because effective chest compressions help maintain circulation to vital organs during cardiac arrest, especially when the heart is not pumping blood effectively. Properly performed chest compressions facilitate blood flow and can help restore a perfusing rhythm. During cardiac arrest, especially in the case of bradycardia, the key priority is to ensure that the brain and other critical organs continue to receive some level of oxygenation and perfusion until advanced interventions can be applied. Chest compressions should be continuous, high quality, and at an appropriate rate and depth as per the current resuscitation guidelines. While other interventions like administering adrenaline and performing direct electrical cardioversion are part of the resuscitation protocol for specific rhythms and conditions, the immediate priority in the context of bradycardia during cardiac arrest remains on high-quality chest compressions. Monitoring for respiratory distress, although important in patient assessment, takes a backseat to the immediate and life-saving action of chest compressions in this critical situation.