Rhythms to recognize immediately
Ventricular fibrillation: chaotic, no pulse. Defibrillate. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia: wide regular complexes, no pulse. Defibrillate. Asystole and pulseless electrical activity: CPR and epinephrine, never defibrillate. Atrial fibrillation: irregularly irregular, no P waves. Rate control and anticoagulation assessment; stroke risk. Symptomatic bradycardia: rate under 50 with hypotension, altered consciousness or chest pain. Atropine. Always check the pulse before treating a rhythm on the monitor.