Final answer:
The next action after defibrillation for a patient with pulseless ventricular tachycardia is to start chest compressions at a rate of 100-120/min.
Step-by-step explanation:
After a patient with pulseless ventricular tachycardia is defibrillated, the next action should be to start chest compressions at a rate of 100-120/min. This is in line with the current guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which emphasize immediate chest compressions after defibrillation if the patient is still unresponsive and not breathing normally. Atropine is not used in this scenario because it is typically utilized for bradycardia (slow heart rate), not for pulseless ventricular tachycardia. While administering epinephrine is part of the Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) protocol, it comes after the resumption of chest compressions. Assessing airway and breathing is continuous throughout CPR but does not take precedence over the immediate need to restore circulation through chest compressions.