If a client has sudden onset PVCs and lacks perfusion, what is the nurse's priority action?

In the case of sudden onset PVCs (premature ventricular contractions) accompanied by a lack of perfusion, the nurse's priority action is to ensure immediate medical intervention. Sudden PVCs, particularly when paired with evidence of insufficient perfusion, can indicate a serious cardiac event or instability. The presence of poor perfusion suggests that the client's heart may not be effectively pumping blood, which can lead to critical complications if not addressed promptly.

By asking the emergency department physician to check the client, the nurse is taking a critical step to escalate the situation to someone with the authority and expertise to provide necessary treatments or interventions. This is essential because timely intervention can be life-saving; further delays in obtaining help could result in deterioration of the patient's condition.

Monitoring the client's cardiac status is important but comes secondary to securing more immediate physician evaluation and intervention in this scenario. Documenting findings can be relevant after ensuring the client receives the proper care, and informing the client about the expected nature of PVCs would be inappropriate without first addressing the urgent issue of their perfusion status.