Which treatment is recommended for a bradycardia patient presenting with poor perfusion?

When managing a patient with bradycardia who is showing signs of poor perfusion, the recommended treatment is transcutaneous pacing. This approach is indicated because the primary goal in such a situation is to rapidly restore an adequate heart rate and improve cardiac output, effectively addressing the underlying cause of poor perfusion. Transcutaneous pacing provides an immediate and temporary way to stimulate the heart to beat faster, which is critical for maintaining perfusion to vital organs.

While starting IV fluids, administering oxygen, or contacting a cardiologist might be relevant steps in different contexts, they do not directly address the urgent need to increase heart rate in the face of poor perfusion. IV fluids can be useful in certain circumstances but are not specifically aimed at managing bradycardia. Oxygen is important for patients who may be hypoxic, but it also doesn’t directly correct the slow heart rate. Contacting a cardiologist can be an important follow-up for long-term management or more complex considerations but is not the immediate action required in a critical situation. Therefore, the prompt intervention of transcutaneous pacing is the most appropriate response for the given scenario.