I've been a long time reader of the posts, but this is my first time actually posting something. I'm taking my NCLEX-PN on Halloween and now that I've been hardcore studying, I'm realizing that I know details about pathologies and basic nursing care, but I have no idea what to do in an emergency situation! :uhoh21: Here's my example:
I'm reading about pulmonary emboli. My book tells me all about the S/S and stuff to monitor for, but if you stuck me in the real world. I would have no idea what to do! I'm working on the med-surg floor and my pt with DVT all of a sudden starts showing S/S of a pulmonary embolus. What's my next step??? Put my patient in high fowlers and run out to the charge nurse??? AHHHH!!!
What about if your with your patient and they all of a sudden go into respiratory distress? They're still breathing, but having trouble. Do I call a code? Administer O2 without an order? Run out to the charge nurse again?
Nursing school is great for teaching you basics but when it comes to real-life emergencies where you need to think fast and accurately, I feel so unprepared! Please help me, all of you experienced nurses!! PLEASE!!!!
If you think your pt has had a pulmonary embolus, start some O2, raise head of bed and then have physician called. If matter is more urgent and you need help immediately Joint Commission is now requiring hospitals to set up some system for nurses to get some help before pt codes. Our hospital has a "nurse blue". Respiratory therapy, I or TCU nurse and nurse manager show up at bedside giving you all the help you need to handle the situation and get pt help they need.
rita359
437 Posts
If you think your pt has had a pulmonary embolus, start some O2, raise head of bed and then have physician called. If matter is more urgent and you need help immediately Joint Commission is now requiring hospitals to set up some system for nurses to get some help before pt codes. Our hospital has a "nurse blue". Respiratory therapy, I or TCU nurse and nurse manager show up at bedside giving you all the help you need to handle the situation and get pt help they need.