Had my first code last night

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Specializes in Oncology, radiology, ICU.

I knew something was off when they brought the patient up at 0300 this morning, I even told the charge this patient looks like death. I did my assessment thinking the entire time something just doesn't feel right and for the next few hours I watched the tele monitor and did frequent peek in's to make sure it was all good.

0600 rolls around and I make another round to administer AM meds and do I&O's so I go in check on Mr.X even as far as to wake him and make sure he was doing okay and that he was responsive. I sit down to finish my admission paperwork on Mr.X when at 0645 the monitor tech says Mr.X's heart rate went from 100's to 30's so into the room I go. I find Mr.X unresponsive and agonal breathing and I can't find a pulse....Code Called.

This was the first time it was my patient that coded, the first time I ever did chest compressions. I felt helpless as everyone showed up and I got pushed to the side. I watched as he was intubated and then a strong pulse was acheived. I transferred my patient to the ICU where he regained conciousness as we were hooking up the machines.

My co-workers were awesome:heartbeat, everyone kept making sure I was okay and telling me I did the right thing, after all the patient is alive. I am due back to work in 6 hours and right now I am exhausted but I had to type this out for my own sanity.

I often wonder if I made the right decision switching jobs and now getting ready to switch to days but I am truly blessed with many great co-workers that I know will be there for me if I need them.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Thanks for sharing your story. It's always an "experience".

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Specializes in RN in LTC.

i'm just an rn student, but it sure sounds like you did the right thing. it sounds like you saved his life. way to go!

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:yeah:Great Job!!!! Sounds like you did everything right. All codes feel like the very first one. It's always scary!!!! Keep up the good work:up:

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hey i'm parker, just dicovered this forum. Im going into my 3rd year of nursing. I remember the first time i ever did compressions. It was my first week on the job and a really busy day in trauma when a 20 year old female was rolled in after collapsing at work. I ended up being the one pounding on this helpless girl's chest. The first time was so horrific for me because the girl was pretty close to my age, and even looked a bit like me, so i couldn't help but think of myself in that position.

Thankfully, we ended up resuscitating the girl, which made my first experience a very positive one.

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Specializes in Telemetry/Med Surg.

Sounds like you did a great job!

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aren't you glad that you went throught all those classes and clinicals?

it enabled you to be there with the right knowledge

glad your pt had a good outcome

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Specializes in School Nursing.

you rose to the occasion and did the best you could. you should be commended for that ! :bowingpur great job !

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Great job!

My first one, the patient lived and I threw up in the patient's trash can when everything calmed down.

During my ER clinical rotation we got a really bad MVA victim. What I remember most is that everyone was shaking like leaves in the breeze after it was over.

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Specializes in ICU.

my first code, i stuck the epi needle (i swear they were square back then) through the iv tubing....lol....someone once said to me...you can't hurt them, they're already dead...i hear those words every time....it takes the pressure off and i can think without panic, so i'm passing them on, maybe they'll do someone else some good. ........now, if someone only warned me about the "snip-snap" you get to feel on occassion when doing compressions......grose! :no:

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Specializes in Onco, palliative care, PCU, HH, hospice.
you can't hurt them, they're already dead...

I was told the same thing during my first code! You're right it really does help take away the panic. To the OP, you did a great job, codes are always tough, at the same time the adrenaline rush is incomparable to any other experience!

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Specializes in Assisted Living, Med-Surg/CVA specialty.

Good job!

Does your hospital have a rapid response team? My hospital does and one of the criteria for calling them into action is just "something doesnt feel right" or nurses intuition.

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