First action

[trini rn]

Pulse less patient: Start CPR or call emergency team? Which one should the RN do first... Got this question twice in different format when I did my NCLEX, unfortunately I didn't pass... Still going through my griefing process.

[Sour Lemon]

Pulse less patient: Start CPR or call emergency team? Which one should the RN do first... Got this question twice in different format when I did my NCLEX, unfortunately I didn't pass... Still going through my griefing process.

I hope you're joking.

[trini rn]

No I'm not joking, this question popped up twice.... The two actions are done simultaneously at the hospital I work, CPR will be started while the emergency team is being contacted...

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

In the real world, you can yell for help as you are starting compressions. In the BLS class world, you call for help first, then start. Rationale is the compressions are buying time until the pt can be defibrillated/receive ACLS drugs if needed. Plus, once you start compressions you have about 2 minutes before you start to fatigue -- less if you are out of shape. You need help to arrive with that defibrillator/crash cart ASAP.

[Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN]

*unless you're in the forest and your hunting buddy arrests -- then obviously you can't yell for help while doing compressions. But in hospitals/SNFs, in all likelihood you can yell while starting.

[Scottishtape]

*unless you're in the forest and your hunting buddy arrests -- then obviously you can't yell for help while doing compressions. But in hospitals/SNFs, in all likelihood you can yell while starting.

I love that you added a hunting caveat hahahahahha

[trini rn]

Thanks for your reply, this was just one question that stock in my head from my nclex exam for some strange reason.... Well I won't be hunting anytime soon or ever hopefully

[RNperdiem, RN]

In the real nursing world, yelling "I need some help in here!" is the equivalent of "officer down", yell loud enough and you will get a big response. This can be done while performing CPR.

[NurseCard, ADN]

Right, I would be doing both, starting compressions and yelling for help.

I can see how it is a confusing question, especially since the focus nowadays is compressions, compressions, compressions... Start them ASAP and don't stop!

I would have answered, start compressions first.

[RNNPICU, BSN, RN]

For an NCLEX answer you would call for help first, start compressions second. You have to think of the NCLEX world as a picture perfect and that there is ample time for everything and that things are only done one step at a a time. (Of course, because in NCLEX hospital or health care setting, a nurse does not multi-task

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

The NCLEX world is very different from reality. In the real world, you basically do several things nearly simultaneously: call for help, position the patient, start compressions. In a very short period of time, a whole bunch of people show up to help. In the NCLEX world, things are supposed to go like they are taught in BLS. This is an adult. You recognize the emergency, you call for help. You provide high-quality CPR until help arrives.

With the NCLEX, you have to think about what the "absolute ideal, perfect world" response would be. This is because NCLEX Hospital is the one place where EVERYTHING is done perfectly and perfectly mirrors what you have been taught in school as how things should go.