Question

A 49-year-old woman with advanced stage cancer has been admitted to the emergency room with cardiac arr st. Her husband and one of her children accompanied the ambulance.

1. Explain the health assessment information required for a diagnosis of the patient

2. Explain how you would respond to the scenario as an advanced practice nurse using evidence-based practice guidelines and applying ethical considerations

3. Justify response using at least 3 references

Answer 1

Cardiac arrest is a sudden state of circulatory failure due to loss of cardiac systolic function. The health assessment information needed for diagnosis are as follows.
• History and physical examination: family history of sudden cardiac arrest, pulmonary disease, chest pain or palpitations.
• Other diagnostic factors: hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease
• Risk factors: coronary artery disease, left ventricular dysfunction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia.
• Diagnostic investigations: ECG, CBC, ABG, cardiac MRI, electrophysiologic study.
The following are the steps taken by the advanced practice nurse in case of cardiac arrest:
1. Shout for help
2. Assess the patient
3. Check for signs of life
4. If present; assess ABC, give oxygen, monitor, IV access
5. If absent; start CPR, give 30 compression and 2 breathe, apply defibrillator pads and provide advanced life support.