what to do in an emergency?

casi, ASN, RN · Feb 6, 2009

scream for help

start with your ABCs

In a facility you always have the help of co-workers. In the community you always have the help of emergency services.

RedCell · Feb 6, 2009

I am in the 4th semester of a two year RN program, and I've been a CNA for about 4 years, but I've never been in any medical emergency situation and I'm afraid that if I am, I won't know what to do or how to react. I have worked in a geriatric psych. hospital, however, which is why I do know I like the adrenal rush and I react faster in a physical/stressful environment. So, if you've ever been in a real medical emergency as a nurse, how did you react, what did you do step by step, and how did you do it? And, how did you debreaf, or calm down afterwards? Thank you for any advice or stories.

There are 3 things you should always do when confronted with a "patient emergency"

I At a cardiac arrest the first procedure is to CHECK YOUR OWN PULSE FIRST

II Realize that the patient is the one with the problem/disease NOT YOU

III Remember that the delivery of good nursing/medical care is to do as little as possible

Depending on where you work you will come across many medical/nursing emergencies. In a good ER you will encounter one to two cardiac arrests in a single 12 hour shift. The majority of the time ACLS/BLS measures fail and the dude dies. If they live, three months later while the patient is rotting in some godforsaken "rehab" the family (if they have any) will wish ACLS/BLS measures had failed. That is just the reality of the situation. The good news is, cardiac arrests and emergency situations are fun as hell!! Tons of drugs, toys, electricity and exercise maneuvers are all there for the taking. All you have to do is step up to the plate like Mark McGwire. Don't ever get into the habit of being the charter, that $h&t is boring.

Some people feel better by talking about the "emergency" afterwards, some do not and carry on like nothing happened. You will find out for yourself what is best for you. It is different for everyone. Usually the new guys like to talk about these situations until they become more comfortable with themselves and the environment they are working in.

I loved working in the ER for this very reason. Many of these cardiac arrests, GSWs, etc were interesting and made work/playtime extremely exciting. They also made for great campfire/hunting stories.

Try not to worry so much about the unknown. Eventually the unknown will find you and it will require your immediate action. Just remember the three rules above and things should go well for you.

GrumpyRN63, ADN, RN · Feb 6, 2009

If you are an adrenaline junkie you will be fine. Even if you weren't, when the pt crashes or codes, there will be so many people around they basically will take over and many times you will need to step out of the room-- on the floor anyway. Of course if you are in the ED you'll be in the trenches. Don't worry about what to do, steps etc at this point, it will all work out when it happens and you have a ways to go yet to worry about the details, good luck

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Feb 6, 2009

There are 3 things you should always do when confronted with a "patient emergency"
I At a cardiac arrest the first procedure is to CHECK YOUR OWN PULSE FIRST
II Realize that the patient is the one with the problem/disease NOT YOU
III Remember that the delivery of good nursing/medical care is to do as little as possible

Unless it's a gomer. Gomers never die. Gomers just go to ground.

Sorry, OP, don't mind me...

Flare, ASN, BSN · Feb 6, 2009

If you are in nursing school then i can probably assume that you have taken a CPR course. Just remember the basics.

Check the scene for safety

check the victim

call for help.

beyond that is dependent on what the nature of the emergency is. You would not obviously start CPR for a person who does not need it.

Since you have never been in that type of scenario - it may behoove you to consider taking an EMT course and joining a local first aid squad. That will give you exposures to emergencies that you may not see while nursing on a unit and will give you confidence and get your feet wet if you aspire to get into ER nursing.

As far as dealing with stress and debriefing - it's always a good idea to talk with someone after you witness something that is stressful. This is probably why you can walk up to any given pack of nurses and expect to hear war stories of all sorts. Don't keep things inside you or they will eat at you. If you are not the type of person that is comfortable talking to others then keep a personal journal and write about how what you saw made you feel. Just don't use any patient names in it. And you can always use a forum such as this one to vent about something.