What should a paramedic do if they encounter a patient with a wide-complex tachycardia?

In the case of a patient with wide-complex tachycardia, the appropriate action for a paramedic is to monitor the patient and prepare for potential electrical intervention. Wide-complex tachycardia can indicate serious underlying conditions, including ventricular tachycardia or other forms of unstable arrhythmias, and can lead to decreased cardiac output or even cardiac arrest.

Monitoring the patient is crucial for assessing vital signs, rhythm, and the overall stability of the patient. This ongoing assessment helps the paramedic determine the urgency of an intervention. If the patient exhibits signs of hemodynamic instability, such as altered mental status, hypotension, or chest pain, electrical interventions such as synchronized cardioversion may become necessary. Preparation for these interventions implies having the necessary equipment ready—such as a defibrillator—and ensuring that the paramedic team is in a position to act quickly if the patient's condition worsens.

While administering CPR is vital in cases of cardiac arrest, it is not the first response in the presence of a pulse during wide-complex tachycardia. Providing fluid resuscitation could be indicated in some scenarios, especially if the patient shows signs of hypovolemia, but would not address the immediate arrhythmic issue.