did i do the right thing?

chicookie, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2009

I am still a new nurse and have not been in a code situation so I am not 100% sure but I would finish up what I was doing then run to the code my thinking is A) I can't just leave meds up or leave my patient in an unsafe position. and B) I don't know much about codes and feel that I would be in the way. We have a whole team that comes up, which means about at least 12 people in the room, and I know that I would just get in the way. After finishing I would go see if I could offer assistance just like you did. That is what I would do and I think if your preceptor or another nurse didn't say anything well then you didn't do anything wrong..

I am interested in what nurses with more experience would say.

sicushells, RN · Jun 23, 2009

I guess I'm not sure why you're asking if you did the wrong thing. Did a coworker yell at you? Was it your patient they were coding? If not, I wouldn't give it a second thought. If it was your patient then maybe I personally would have finished the morphine alittle quicker than what's reccomended (assuming the patient has had it before without issues and is breathing okay for someone dieing of lung ca) and then run to the code, but even then you really shouldn't stop pushing a medication, especially a narcotic. What were your options besides finishing the morphine push? You could withdraw the syringe from the iv, find a coworker to waste the rest of the medication (because you wouldn't just carry it around with you until to code was over right? *wink wink nudge nudge*) and then gone to the code, but where I work that would get you slapped upside the head, so that's really a non-option anyway.

You should go to all the codes you can, especially while you're new. That being said, you can't neglect your patients for the sake of "experience".

NeoNurseTX, RN · Jun 23, 2009

I'd do exactly what you did. It sounds like the coding patient had all the personnel s/he needed.

erin01 · Jun 23, 2009

thanks !i dont know why i feel bad! No it wasnt my patient but my preceptors. I did push the morphine a little quicker...he had had it before and was dying. not to fast but instead of 5mins...which like 2 had past i pushed in like 3. And i didnt think i had any other option. Stop giving morphine and run out? no .... so just curious what other nurses thought.

bill4745, RN · Jun 23, 2009

I would have done exactly what you did.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jun 23, 2009

Curious to see what others say. If a narc or some other drug, say flush/push/flush situation, I'd keep pushing if already in the middle of it. Glad it wasn't your other patient. Could she press the call light and report that she is pushing meds and she heard a crash, to send someone to check out?

GOMER42 · Jun 23, 2009

EVERYONE runs to the code room. When there is a code, there seems to be some type of frenzy in which everyone jam packs into the room and there are usually more bodies than roles to fill.

I think you did the right thing. You can't leave a syringe of morphine hanging out of a patient's IV and the other room was likely packed full.

rn/writer, RN · Jun 23, 2009

You absolutely did the right thing. You correctly prioritized your responsibilities and did not jeopardize your current patient in order to run to a code where you could hear that others were responding.

You do not create a new unsafe situation to help with a code. You ask yourself if there is anything you can realistically contribute to the scene. This goes for a student or new nurse who probably can't do much except assist with CPR as well as a seasoned nurse who may see that there are already eight people in the room and decide to cover her co-workers' patients while they are in the code. Or she might speak with frantic family members standing in the hall and explain what is happening.

Yes, it's important to respond to a code when this can be done safely. But it's a common student/newbie error to act as if a code trumps common sense and all other responsibilities. Here are some good questions to ask yourself in a code situation no matter what your experience level:

1. Will I be jeopardizing anyone's safety if I go?

2. Is there anything I can realistically contribute?

3. Can one more person squeeze into that tiny room, and if so, to what purpose?

4. Are there other ways I can help the unit as a whole while the code is going on--answering the phone and call lights, redirecting gawkers, etc.

Participating in a code is definitely an adrenalin rush. But seventeen years as an EMT taught me to temper excitement with reality and make rational decisions about whether to jump in or not. You describe doing exactly that in your situation. This bodes well for your ability to function under pressure.

Well done.

erin01 · Jun 23, 2009

Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As a new nurse i just need to make sure my brain is prioritizing correctly...I LOVE ALLNURSES.COM THANKS EVERYONE

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2009

Yep...you did right.

Now....another scenario..suppose this was LTC and you might have only one or two nurses on duty and someone goes down and a cna calls a "code". Being the only nurse on duty or having one other makes things a bit sticky. Our LTC has more short term rehabs and younger pts that are full codes. I've been in this situation before. Thank heavens I was just about done with the med.

leslie :-D · Jun 23, 2009

Yep...you did right.
Now....another scenario..suppose this was LTC and you might have only one or two nurses on duty and someone goes down and a cna calls a "code". Being the only nurse on duty or having one other makes things a bit sticky. Our LTC has more short term rehabs and younger pts that are full codes. I've been in this situation before. Thank heavens I was just about done with the med.

hmmm....what would a nurse do?

what i would do, is remove the plunger (put in my pocket) and run to other room.

leslie