emergencies you have taken care of

OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN · Apr 10, 2012

There is no easy way to answer this question. I would ask your supervisor or another co-worker for advice. Some LTC facilities have specific guidelines/ Protocols they won't nurses to take before calling the MD. I would check it out.

Wave Watcher · Apr 10, 2012

can you guys please discuss or share your experiences when you had to take care of emergenices, i am a lpn working in a long term care. not iv certified, just want to get as much information i can, if i ever have to take care of any emergency i will act smart and would know what to do,instead of calling the doctor what we should do i can have some of my own advice sometimes.

Always stay within your scope of practice. Know your procedures and policies for your facility.

ckh23, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2012

Call for help. No matter what the emergency, you can't do everything on your own.

MinnieMomRN · Apr 11, 2012

Familiarize yourself with your facility. Know where stuff is. There's nothing worse than needing something quick and not knowing where it's located. It wastes precious time.

Double-Helix, BSN, RN · Apr 11, 2012

Are you BLS certified? If you are, then you pretty much know the basic steps you can take in an emergency in a long term care setting. Remember your ABC's. Without access to advanced medical equipment and a physician, your role will be to contact emergency response and support the patient as best possible until that help arrives.

Know the location of your facility's crash cart, and know your standing orders in regards to using it. You should know where the ambu bag is kept, how to quickly access oxygen, where the back board is for CPR, and where the staff emergency button is located in each room. Also, know where to quickly look up the patient's advance directive. Many of your LTC patients may have DNR orders.

ACLS certification might help you feel more comfortable handling emergencies in general, but most of the interventions in ACLS will not apply to your scope of practice or your facility.

If you're concerned about a patient's condition, the best thing to do is call the doctor and request assistance before it becomes an emergency.