Administering CPR

Nurses General Nursing

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Hi everyone!

I am sorry if this is a repeat topic, I searched but could not locate any threads on this.

Anyway, after taking CPR today, I got to thinking...how often do nurses actually administer CPR? Have you ever had to do it? Were you freaked out? Did it work? I am a 3rd semester nursing student and still freaked about most things, codes being at the top of the list. Just curious about your experience.

Thanks,

Flea

I have performed CPR many, many times! I work in ICU and am on the code team.

Nurses who work ICU and ER probably perform CPR most frequently.

Could you tell me if there is a lot of dirty work done in the ICU?? for Example: wipeing butts

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Let's try to stay on topic.

Thank you.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

This was touching. Although I really hope I never have to do CPR, if I do, I hope the person "is ready" as this one was.

Everyone has codes that they'll never forget. Mine was a couple of weeks ago. We had an elderly lady whose family said "you do everything for our

mother". The Doc running the code was not our favorite (kind of a jerk).

We coded this lady (straight lined) 3 times and we got her back all 3 times.

The 3rd time she opened her eyes, looked at us, reached up and took the

Doc's hand and said, "I've seen Jesus' face 3 times and you took me away

from him. I'm ready so let me go". You could've heard a pin drop and we all

looked at each other and then turned to look at the Doc and told him that

it was his call. He said no, it's her call and he knelt down beside her bed and

said a prayer with her and held her hand until she passed. Needless to say

we all left that room feeling different and we had a new respect for the

Doc. Our Sunday School lesson the next week was about being ready to

go when our time came. I told my story (through some tears) and you

could she a change in our class also.

legalnurse22

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

We dont' do it much in OB ----except for neonates. But that is NRP and a bit more than CPR. And EVERY nurse on OB has performed NRP practices on "sick" or "bad" newborns. It happens to us all, unfortunately, to have a newborn needing resuscitation.

But the moms, that is a rarity, but not at all unheard-of.

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probably depends on where you work. but you there is always the possiblity of you having to do it... even if you're just at wal-mart shopping for shampoo. :-)

Or on an airplane, at 36,000. Did get me a free, first class round trip ticket to any place the airline flew to :)

Grannynurse :balloons:

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Nursing Education.
Or on an airplane, at 36,000. Did get me a free, first class round trip ticket to any place the airline flew to :)

Grannynurse :balloons:

You are like, so kidding. I need to get on one of those flights so I can fly to Jamaica for free! LOL

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I have only performed chest compressions once. I was a nursing student observing in the ED. I have only had one pt code during my shift as a nurse and the CNA was the one who actually performed chest compressions until the code team arrived. I was busy calling the doc, grabbing the crash cart, etc. I work ortho. We just don't have that many critical patients. They typically get transferred to ICU if they are going downhill. So I try to really pay attention when getting recertified because CPR is just not something I use often.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Working Respiratory/Telemtery unit in the 80's performed CPR 2-3 times a month /average in days before CPR masks invented. Sticker for at least ambu setup at all times on crash cart. Glad for the day we convinced admin to have one ambu per room.:rolleyes:

Had caretaker at summer childrens camp collapse halfway between doorway in main office. Camp Pediatrician and I did CPR 20 minutes prior to ambulance arrival, He didn't survive but I learned out in the country to call police for air copter the hard way.

Done CPR in elevators--along with Heimlach 80+ yo man in wheelchair that had grabed item off of dietary breakfast cart.:uhoh3:

Was in Pocano Mountains visiting parents heard tires squeell and BANG. Dad and I raced out into pitch black night, trugged down a dirt road to campshight as Icould here voice..found women uncounscious with intoxicated BF insisting on CPR. All she needed was opened airway.

Best recomendation by my nursing instructors was that if a code was called in unit or neighboring unit we were to go and be a fly on the wall (if possible) with goal to witness 1 or 2 codes as student so not as frightening as new grad. In Senior Year, we got to check the crash cart as way of getting familar with equipment ----all really helped for that "First Time"

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You are like, so kidding. I need to get on one of those flights so I can fly to Jamaica for free! LOL

No, I am not kidding. I was flying from Florida, to NYC, on business. One of the flight attendents noticed my card taped to the outside of my briefcase. She asked me to come up to first class. The passenger was having an MI. I asked for help, from another passenger, who was a paramedic. The plane was diverted to Charlotte, N.C. We did CPR for about 20 minutes. Frank Boreman, CEO of the airline, sent us both a very nice letter with the tickets. I used mine to fly to California. It happen back in 1983. One and only time I ever did CPR at that altitude. It also got me several drinks purchased by other passengers And the passenger did live, got a nice letter from his wife, as well. Am assuming she got my business address from the airline. I wouldn't recommend it as a way to get a free ride.

Grannynurse :balloons:

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