Scenario: You find your patient lifeless. there is absolutley no code status on their wrist band. You ask from down the hall to the nurses station on what their code status is. 3 people yell at once "Full code." You go back into the room to initiate CPR, then tell the people behind you to grab the crash cart. They cannot find a mask or ambu bag. There is phlegm and drool all over the patients face.
Question: Are you obligated to do actual mouth to mouth on a patient who is 100 + years old who is not going to make it anyway?
I know that "Good Samaritan" laws vary from State to State but it has always been my understanding that as a nurse I am under no obligation to render aid when off duty in the community.
It is also my understanding that if I do choose to render aid that the "Good Samaritan" laws protect me ONLY as long as I do not exceed the level of education available to a lay person via CPR and First Aid courses offered in the community.
This is correct. Check your state laws for details. In my state we are NOT obligated to stop at the scene of an accident and administer aid but I would feel a moral obligation personally. Thankfully I've never had that encounter.
critcarenurse16
121 Posts
This is correct. Check your state laws for details. In my state we are NOT obligated to stop at the scene of an accident and administer aid but I would feel a moral obligation personally. Thankfully I've never had that encounter.