Ventricular Tachycardia Basics — ECG Academy Lesson

Recognize ventricular tachycardia on telemetry, distinguish nonsustained from sustained VT, and escalate immediately while bedside staff determines pulse and stability.

Learning Objectives

• Define ventricular tachycardia as three or more ventricular beats at a tachycardic rate
• Recognize the common telemetry features of VT: wide QRS complexes, fast rate, and repetitive ventricular morphology
• Distinguish nonsustained VT from sustained VT for urgency and documentation
• Explain why the monitor alone cannot determine whether VT has a pulse
• Describe the immediate monitor tech actions when VT is identified