Tachycardia

Definition

Tachycardia is a heart rate exceeding 100 bpm in adults. It may be physiologic (response to exercise, stress) or pathologic (signaling underlying illness).

Causes

• Pain, anxiety, fever
• Hypovolemia, shock, hemorrhage
• Dehydration
• Hyperthyroidism
• Hypoxia
• Medications (stimulants, adrenergics)
• Cardiac arrhythmias (SVT, A-fib with RVR, V-tach)

Nursing Assessment

Tachycardia is often the EARLIEST sign of clinical deterioration. Precedes hypotension in shock. Assess perfusion, pain, fluid status, cardiac rhythm, and respiratory status.

Nursing Interventions

Identify and treat underlying cause. For unstable tachyarrhythmias, follow ACLS protocols (synchronized cardioversion for SVT, stable V-tach; defibrillation for pulseless V-tach/V-fib). Administer fluids for hypovolemia, oxygen for hypoxia, pain control, antipyretics.

NCLEX Relevance

Tachycardia is an early shock cue. Do not wait for hypotension.