cardiac arrest

ONCRN84 · Feb 7, 2010

First of all, know the procedure for calling a code at your site. Second, CALL FOR HELP. Start checking pulses, dropping the bed, etc. People will be there to take over in no time when you start yelling "I NEED HELP! CODE BLUE (or whatever they call it).

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2010

Check responsiveness, call for help, start BLS.

EmrgncyRN05 · Feb 7, 2010

Know your hospital's procedure's for calling codes and get help.

traumalover, RN · Feb 7, 2010

If there is a code button, push it. If not, yell for help. Your role is only to recognize the problem and alert the code team, and then do exactly as you are told. Code team members are ACLS certified and are able to give meds and follow protocol in the abscence of a physician, they need to be in charge.

medicrn13 · Feb 7, 2010

If there is a code button, push it. If not, yell for help. Your role is only to recognize the problem and alert the code team, and then do exactly as you are told. Code team members are ACLS certified and are able to give meds and follow protocol in the abscence of a physician, they need to be in charge.

Disagree. Call the code, yes, but then don't just stand back. CPR is always a good place to start after you call the code, but don't just RECOGNIZE that the person is in cardiac arrest, actually DO something about it. You're in clinical, which means you have a CPR certification. Don't be afraid to use it.

McBx3 · Feb 7, 2010

I need to ask a spin-off of this one (which I should know the answer to, :smackingf but please just excuse me, it's been awhile LOL)... what if the cardiac arrest pt is a DNR? Do you still call for help? Had this happen to me in nursing school and I still am not real sure about "proper" procedure in that situation.

CW1978 · Feb 7, 2010

I think you still alert the appropriate people even if the pt is DNR.

AlabamaBelle · Feb 7, 2010

This DID happen to a classmate of mine. Very first clinical day of that rotation. Just past 0800 and the "CODE BLUE" was paged overhead - we recognized the floor and said amongst ourselves how awful it would be if that were one our classmates' patients.

Clinical preparation should have prepared the student for DNR status. We all had be BLS certified, so we would have begun compressions immediately.

JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2010

If the patient is a DNR, notify your instructor and the nurse you're assigned to work with, but don't start yelling and calling codes, please.

ejonesrn · Feb 7, 2010

What if you don't know their DNR status? In LTC it's tough to remember everyone's changing status (83 residents), in a hospital the patients/clients may not be there long enough to have a particular nurse for more than one or two shifts - who the h*ll remembers???!!! If you call a code and it's justified...may have saved the patient, if you call a code and the patient is DNR, you have time to check the chart before the Team shows up....a pain for the Team, but they aren't the priority, are they? Please forgive me if I sound snippy or snarky or....damn, what's another "s" word??!! OH! Snide!!

squirtle · Feb 7, 2010

What if you don't know their DNR status? In LTC it's tough to remember everyone's changing status (83 residents), in a hospital the patients/clients may not be there long enough to have a particular nurse for more than one or two shifts - who the h*ll remembers???!!! If you call a code and it's justified...may have saved the patient, if you call a code and the patient is DNR, you have time to check the chart before the Team shows up....a pain for the Team, but they aren't the priority, are they? Please forgive me if I sound snippy or snarky or....damn, what's another "s" word??!! OH! Snide!!

Not sure that I understand... are you going to leave the pt to check the chart while waiting for the code team? Sounds like it can be scary to work in LTC. I can't imagine not knowing my pt's code status- truly one of my nightmares, it is one of the first things passed on in report.