Which disorder is potentially reversible if the cause is immediately treated?

• A. Ventricular tachycardia
• B. Pulseless electrical activity
• C. Atrial fibrillation
• D. Sinus bradycardia

Answer: (B)

Pulseless electrical activity is the situation in which the monitor shows organized electrical activity, but there is no effective heartbeat or pulse. The heart isn’t pumping, so survival hinges on quickly identifying and correcting reversible causes. Because many PEA arrests stem from treatable problems—such as hypoxia, hypovolemia, acidosis, electrolyte disturbances, hypothermia, tamponade, tension pneumothorax, thrombosis, or toxin exposure—immediately addressing these can restore circulation. That immediate focus on reversing the underlying issue is what makes this scenario potentially reversible with prompt treatment. The other rhythms require different rhythm- or rate-control strategies and aren’t, by themselves, as clearly tied to an immediate, broad set of reversible causes as PEA is in the context of cardiac arrest management.