A nurse is planning care for a client who has atrial fibrillation and reports heart palpitations, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath. Which of the following procedures should the nurse anticipate for this client?

Rationale: A. Pericardial window for continuous drainage is incorrect because this procedure is used to drain excess fluid from the pericardial sac, typically for cardiac tamponade, not for atrial fibrillation. B. Septal myectomy is incorrect because this surgical procedure is performed to remove a portion of the thickened septum in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, not to treat atrial fibrillation. C. Synchronized electrical cardioversion is correct because it is used to restore normal sinus rhythm in clients with atrial fibrillation, especially when symptomatic (palpitations, lightheadedness, shortness of breath). The electrical shock is synchronized with the QRS complex to avoid inducing ventricular fibrillation. D. Pericardiocentesis is incorrect because this needle procedure removes fluid from the pericardial sac, used in cardiac tamponade or pericardial effusion, not for rhythm management in atrial fibrillation.