While Assessing a Critically Ill Patient in the Emergency Department

Multiple Choice

While assessing a critically ill patient in the emergency department, the nurse notes on the cardiac monitor an R-on-T premature ventricular beat that develops into ventricular tachycardia (VT) . Immediately, the patient became unresponsive. The nurse knows that based on pathophysiologic principles, the most likely cause of the unresponsiveness is

A) metabolic acidosis that occurs spontaneously following any dysrhythmias.
B) interruption of the blood/oxygen supply to the brain.
C) massive cerebrovascular accident (CVA) resulting from increased perfusion.
D) a blood clot coming from the heart and occluding the carotid arteries.