Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Practice Exam

Which of the following symptoms would indicate the need for cardioversion in persistent tachycardia?

1. Fatigue

2. Hypotension

3. Palpitations

4. Bradycardia

The correct answer is: Hypotension

The presence of hypotension is a critical indicator for the need for cardioversion in cases of persistent tachycardia. Hypotension suggests that the heart is not effectively pumping blood, which can lead to inadequate perfusion of vital organs. When a patient exhibits hypotension alongside persistent tachycardia, it signifies a hemodynamically unstable situation that may require immediate intervention to restore normal heart rhythm and improve blood flow. Other symptoms like fatigue and palpitations can occur in tachycardia but do not necessarily indicate an immediate need for cardioversion, as they may not reflect a life-threatening scenario. Bradycardia, on the other hand, is characterized by a slow heart rate, which is a different condition altogether and does not apply to the scenario of tachycardia requiring intervention. Thus, the presence of hypotension is a clear and urgent signal for the necessity of cardioversion in managing persistent tachycardia effectively.