Which finding is classified as a lethal ventricular condition?

• A. Atrial flutter
• B. 3rd degree AV block
• C. Ventricular fibrillation
• D. Brief ventricular tachycardia

Answer: (C)

Ventricular fibrillation is classified as a lethal ventricular condition due to its chaotic electrical activity that prevents the ventricles from contracting effectively. In this state, the heart fails to pump blood, leading to a rapid loss of consciousness and, if not treated immediately, death within minutes. The disorganized impulses in ventricular fibrillation result in no effective cardiac output, representing a critical emergency that requires immediate intervention, typically through defibrillation.

While other options, such as third-degree AV block and brief ventricular tachycardia, can be serious, they do not inherently lead to a complete loss of cardiac output in the same immediate and fatal manner as ventricular fibrillation does. Atrial flutter, while it can cause complications, particularly if it transitions to a more serious arrhythmia, does not exhibit the same level of lethality. Therefore, the presence of ventricular fibrillation is a clear indicator of a life-threatening condition requiring rapid medical response.