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SVT and PVCs — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

When a fast rhythm needs treating
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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-08-31 🏷️ Physiological Adaptation 🔖 Free to read, print, and share
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent SVT and PVCs on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet

📌 Svt — In This Order

  • Vagal manoeuvres if stable
  • Adenosine — push FAST, expect a pause
  • Beta blockers
  • Calcium channel blockers — better in asthma
  • Unstable? Synchronised cardioversion

✅ Pvcs — When To Care

  • Isolated PVCs are usually not treated
  • More than 6 a minute
  • Pairs, runs, or multifocal
  • R-on-T — can start V-tach

⚠️ Fix The Cause

  • Low potassium or magnesium
  • Caffeine, hypoxia, digoxin toxicity

Quick Tip

Focus on the highlighted numbers and the red-flag items — those are what the NCLEX tests most on svt and pvcs.

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