What is the priority treatment for a patient experiencing unstable SVT?

• A. Cardioversion
• B. Adenosine administration
• C. Defibrillation
• D. Digitalis administration

Answer: (A)

In the case of a patient experiencing unstable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), the priority treatment is cardioversion. This is because unstable SVT can lead to symptoms of hemodynamic instability such as hypotension, altered mental status, chest pain, or signs of heart failure. When a patient is unstable, immediate intervention is necessary to restore a normal heart rhythm and stabilize their condition.

Cardioversion is a controlled electrical shock that can effectively reset the heart's electrical system, allowing for normal sinus rhythm to be restored. It is typically done in a synchronized manner to avoid causing ventricular fibrillation, which can occur if the shock is delivered at an inappropriate time during the cardiac cycle.

While adenosine administration is commonly used for treating stable SVT, it is not appropriate for unstable situations where immediate action is required. Other treatments like defibrillation are specifically used for life-threatening arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia, and digitalis administration is not indicated in acute management of acute unstable SVT. Therefore, for an unstable patient, the immediate and effective intervention is cardioversion.