what should I do for CODE BLUE

[Jennifer57351]

if I notice a patient is unresponsive and this is not my patient

I would not know the code status

should I press the code blue button first or clarify patient's code status first?????

[PurpleLover]

If they are unresponsive, I would push the button first then worry about the other stuff. His status will not matter if he dies will you investigate. Push the button, start CPR then when his nurse comes thing will be cleared up.

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[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Most institutions have "DNR" bracelets on their patients for whom this applies. You should be able to check that in the instant it takes you to notice, if the patient is unfamiliar to you and you didn't hear it in report.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

Is this for homework?

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Keep in mind that patients are assumed to be full code status unless specifically indicated otherwise.

If you are not certain about the code status, push that button/call the code and get help started, then look up the code status. Should the patient turn out to be DNR, then they'll stop the code.

[healthstar, BSN, RN]

I remember one of my nursing instructors used to say: when you don't know the pt's code status, it's better to perform CPR and find out that the pt is DNR and stop! , instead of not doing CPR and then you find out later , that pt was full code and died !

[SleeepyRN]

At my old SNF, where residents went downstairs by themselves or with family at a little cafe type area, we were told if we found someone unresponsive, we had to run and look at the chart before doing anything. And yup, that meant even a resident in the basement whose chart is on the first floor.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

Hit the code button. Presumably someone (such as the patient's nurse or charge RN) who will come running will know if the patient is a DNR. When I worked in the hospital, all DNRs were announced in morning report (this was pediatrics so there were few of them) so that everyone knew in case of a situation like what is described in the OP.

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Hit the code button. Code status can be specified later. You're much better off initiating CPR on a patient and then finding out they are a DNR vs. NOT initiating CPR and waiting to find out their code status and they have a poor outcome.

On the floors where I work, pts who are a DNR wear a special arm band. It is also specified in report (and from the charge nurse report) on who is a DNR and who isn't.