Administering CPR

glascow · Aug 21, 2005

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.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2005

Good question, I wondered the same thing myself. I got recertified Wednesday night. :)

Trauma Columnist · Aug 21, 2005

I work int he ER and we do CPR probably once per day (sometimes several more times). It works some of the time - depends on the why the person needs CPR.

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Aug 21, 2005

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. :-)

Editorial Team / Admin · Aug 21, 2005

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

Yes, too frequently, but, it works!! You will approach every code situation with awe. The human body is amazing in its ability to respond to these life-saving measures.

It works many times and, often, not. But, you have learned the basics and will, one day, use them to hopefully save a precious life.

Fun2, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2005

What scares me is the fact that in my CPR class, the new certs and recerts were mixed together. Everyone did the whole class all over again. However, the recerts acted like they didn't remember how to do it!

I was certified in 1993 (????), and I think I remembered more than some of the ones that held a current certification! I hope they actually remember what to do if the situation arose in real life!!! :uhoh21: :uhoh21: :uhoh21:

mommatrauma, RN · Aug 22, 2005

Level 1 trauma center ER..we probably do it at least once a day...seems it depends alot on the day of the week and holiday...i personally in the last 2 weeks have done it 6 times that I can remember...

2ndCareerRN · Aug 22, 2005

Although I don't do the actual compressions that often, I am there when it is done. While the aide or EMT is doing compressions, I set up the monitor, slap on pads, get IV access and all the other things that need to be done during a code. If all of that is done, I have been known to seperate a rib or two in my time. It sure does make compressions easier, and more effecient, if the ribcage has more "give".

bob

CritterLover, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2005

when i worked in an all-rn staffed icu, i did cpr quite a bit. however, once i moved to an er that had quite a bit of ancillary staff, i haven't done it at all. the unlicensed staff are usually the ones doing cpr, while the licensed staff does stuff that only licensed staff can do.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Aug 22, 2005

I've done CPR so much over my career I couldn't give you an accurate number. I don't like doing mouth to mouth. Even with the protective mask the sour odor the patient has just knocks me out. While compressions seem like they're easier you get fatigued a lot faster than on the dummy in CPR class. If you have to continue compressions for a length of time you can count on some muscle soreness in your own chest the next day or two. As a supervisor I had to attend every code blue. It is interesting to be someone standing back and observing. Some nurses are very confident and sure of themselves during the code (CCU nurses, especially). Others get all excited and flit around the room looking for something to do, but actually doing nothing. I ducked getting vomited on by one patient by quickly moving behind one of the respiratory therapists who got plastered with vomitus. I've also heard ribs creak and break with the first couple of compressions. It's more common in the older patients and it always gave me an odd feeling. I also had the incredible "luck" to have the patient in Bed A code while we were resusitating the patient in Bed B (it was a terrible night). I felt bad for the nurses on the CCU stepdown unit because it seemed like most of their people coded on the commode in the bathroom. I'm sure that you'll have war stories of your own to tell after a couple of years. Hard to say what the percentage of successful CPR patients was to the ones that didn't make it. I think that most eventually died. HINT: the first code is the hardest because afterward you think of all the things you should have done.

One of the male students during our first semester of nursing had a long string of patients that coded and died. He'd have the patient day one and come back on day two only to find out his patient had coded and was either in ICU or died. We're talking about 5 or 6 patients here!

legalnurse22 · Aug 22, 2005

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