You respond to a 65 y/o Male at his residence. His daughter, on scene, called 911 because she is worried about her father’s health. She states that he just hasn’t been acting right. “He is weaker than normal, and becomes short of breath very easily”. The patient himself is not thrilled about your presence. He is a rather obese man (about 400 lbs), and he is sitting in his recliner sans shirt or pants. His immediate area provides evidence that he doesn’t move
S – The patient states that he is always weak and it is normal for him to get short of breath when he gets up.
A – NKDA
M – Glucophage, Gabapentin, Albuterol, Singulair, Prevacid, Carevedilol, Enalapril, Digoxin, Aspirin, Oxygen
P – AMI, CHF, Asthma, Non-insulin dependent diabetes, AICD
L – Oreos and Orange Juice
E – Sitting in his chair
B/P: 61/37, Left Arm
SpO2: 83, on 2 lpm O2,
Pulse: 40 & regular
Resp: 30 & regular
Skin: Pale, cool, & clammy
You place your patient on the monitor and obtain the following 12-lead. What would you immediately ask your patient? What is your interpretation of the ECG? What treatments would you provide?
Pt has a symptommatic bradycardia and might also be having a run of CHF. His pulse is low, BP too low, shortness of breath, diaphoretic. Ask if he has a pacemaker and if he has any cardiac problems.
Thanks Kathi for your comment, check out the video embedded in the post.