A 64-year-old patient is found unresponsive. After attaching a heart monitor, his EKG reveals ventricular fibrillation. What drug should the nurse prepare to administer?

Explanation

• Epinephrine is used for ventricular fibrillation, flutter, and unstable tachycardia. Of note, the nurse should also anticipate for defibrillation to be performed as ventricular fibrillation is a shockable rhythm 

• Atropine is used for symptomatic bradycardia 

• Dobutamine is used to increase cardiac output in heart failure 

• Dopamine is used to maintain adequate blood pressure during shock and to maintain kidney perfusion 

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