First pt code... is this normal?

[ONCRN84]

Last night I had a pt code early in the morning. This pt had been alert, oriented, and talking to me all night. No complaints of chest pain, SOB, or distress. I was in the room about 20 minutes before it happened and pt was talking to me said he was feeling fine. Fast forward to coding pt. He survived, but passed away on day shift.

My question... is it normal to replay the night and wonder if you missed some subtle sign or symptom? I keep trying to figure out if I missed something earlier that could've been treated prior to the actual code. I know it's not my fault and that I can't change it... I dunno.

[thanrye8710]

Had the same experience when I was still a student nurse at the Philippines. During clinical duty, I don't know why my instructors are fond of giving hard patients, the critical and most tasking.

I was assigned to a full code patient who had CVA, in coma and on mechanical ventilator. I check her V/S q 30 mins. as ordered. her vitals (BP, Pulse, O2 sat) are perfectly normal. Minutes after I log the V/S on her chart, her husband came to the station telling me something is wrong w/ his wife. went immediately to the room, patient doesn't look good so I immediately called my Clinical Instructor then checked the v/s. I was counting the pulse, it stopped! Checked carotid pulse, none! My instructor was infront of me, told her "got no pulse!". She froze a bit so I told her "Ma'am, patient is coding, I'll start CPR. Call code!"

I did CPR, Doctors came and took over doing compressions. The room was filled with Doctors and Nurses trying to revive the patient, me standing at the side watching as I pray. after 10 mins, a Doctor told me to do the chest compressions for she is tired. I obliged. Did it for another 10 minutes then the Dr. call it off and pronounced the time of death.

It was hard, for it was my first time that a patient died under my care. While I was doing the postmortem care, I keep on asking myself as to where did I go wrong and what mistakes had I done. The husband of the patient came to me, touched my shoulder and said, "That is life. It is her time to rest. God has called her back to His kingdom and she is at peace now. Don't think of blaming yourself of her death, I saw you guys did your best. Thank you for taking care of my wife."

I was relieved by his words.