First Code

[incublissRN, BSN, RN]

I had my first code the other night. Patient had had a mesenteric bypass and bowel resection and was post op day 5. Hx of CHF and cardiomyopathy, EF of about 20%. She was septic and on Xigris. Another nurse and I had just finished bathing her and she went into VT then Vfib. We coded her and family got there soon. There was nothing more we could do for her and they made her comfort measures only. This happened at 0330 and she was still hanging on when I left at 0730. Family wanted to do a terminal wean if she didn't pass soon.

I think I'm still kind of in shock. I mean, it's not like I'm surprised I guess but still in shock nonetheless. I keep going over it in my mind and thinking of things I could of done better, what else I could have done, what more I could have said and done for the family, etc. When it first started my mind went completely blank!