I Think I my CPR Instructor Didn't Know What She Was Talking About

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I am a CNA/CMA in Oklahoma and I have taken paramedic training so I know CPR and this isn't an ego thing where I disagreed strongly to the point where I am crying to the internet. It was to the point where we were basically handed out books at the facility I work at detailing what we can and cannot do with first aid/cpr however the instructor was saying the total opposite!

The books we were given detailed CPR and First Aid and the use of tourniquets however my instructor said that since we were lay people that we could only do direct pressure and that applying tourniquets was out of the scope of practice for us. (I haven't been able to find anything to back that claim up)

I was a bit confused but rolled with it anyway I didn't think CNA/CMAs were lay people since we are trained?

I was reprimanded for going over 100 compressions in one minute (I did 140) and I asked why that was a problem "Is for my benefit to straddle 100 for stamina sake until EMS arrives? Or am I doing damage to my patient?"

She gave me some sort of strange explanation that didn't really explain anything stating "If you go too fast the blood and oxygen goes through the body to fast to perfuse..."

I thought that was weird since you make up 25% percent of the heart doing chest compressions.

At the end of the class I apologized for pressing questions so hard about the tourniquets and said "This is my first time learning CPR and First Aid from this perspective I was taught the EMT way first and when I was told to not apply tourniquets if the bleeding continues I panicked a little and I'm sorry."

She replied "Well would you violate scope of practice?" I stared blankly at her for a minute and said "no"

Have they added tourniquets for just EMS!? I cannot find anything backing this up.

I am thoroughly confused over this and am worried that I could be putting clients' lives in danger if I listen to this woman.

Thoughts? Opinions? Am I wrong?

But that's like saying I want to know what your plan b is if compressions don't work. Applying pressure is the answer. However, if you don't trust the word of those of us with experience, do a literature search and see what peer reviewed papers state

I went to paramedic school but I am not gonna use ACLS protocols. This is not what this is about. I keep asking FIRST AID questions and I keep getting CPR answers. I have a plan B if compressions don't work but I'm pretty sure I can't use my ACLS training in the occupation I'm currently in.

Alot of you are smart people but your giving me CPR answers to my FIRST AID questions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I went to paramedic school but I am not gonna use ACLS protocols. This is not what this is about. I keep asking FIRST AID questions and I keep getting CPR answers. I have a plan B if compressions don't work but I'm pretty sure I can't use my ACLS training in the occupation I'm currently in.

Alot of you are smart people but your giving me CPR answers to my FIRST AID questions.

He's not giving you CPR answers, he was making an analogy. The fact that it had anything to do with CPR was incidental.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It was a simile - making the connection that compressions to an arrest is the same as applying direct pressure to an arterial bleed. They are essentially the first line and best treatment... you don't consider a plan b for either

Up Vote Up Vote ×
CPR/BLS, ACLS, etc...none of these are a rockstar contest.

Ideally you would have gone to the class with an open mind, since you have a knowledge deficit.

As far as the tourniquets, those of us who may have occasion to use them receive more detailed instruction on their use, and regular review.

Your employer has not delegated this skill to you, and CNAs do not make independent decisions about emergency treatments. End of story. You are not very likely to encounter a situation that requires a tourniquet - - you should focus on trying to understand the topics that were presented to you which you are more likely to encounter.

Well when you are handed a manual that encourages the use of the tourniquet and an instructor saying you should not use them you get mixed signals. And please don't project your knowledge deficit onto me

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm sorry you feel that way about my advice *shrugs

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Well when you are handed a manual that encourages the use of the tourniquet and an instructor saying you should not use them you get mixed signals. And please don't project your knowledge deficit onto me

Presumably you took a class because you had a knowledge deficit related to the class content, right? You didn't walk into the class knowing it all, therefore you had a knowledge deficit. This is nursing terminology 101 (NANDA nursing diagnoses language), not a personal insult.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
It was a simile - making the connection that compressions to an arrest is the same as applying direct pressure to an arterial bleed. They are essentially the first line and best treatment... you don't consider a plan b for either

Just like in Cardiac Arrest you want drugs, AED, and CPR. (Drugs can be substituted in for another drug i.e plan Bs)

If direct pressure doesn't work then tourniquet.

Not hard.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
He's not giving you CPR answers, he was making an analogy. The fact that it had anything to do with CPR was incidental.

Could've said it was an analogy but chose not to.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Just like in Cardiac Arrest you want drugs, AED, and CPR. (Drugs can be substituted in for another drug i.e plan Bs)

If direct pressure doesn't work then tourniquet.

Not hard.

First aid. FIRST Aid. First aid does not include drugs (or tourniquets, unless you're out in the bush dealing with an amputation with no access to 911 and a hospital nearby).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
First aid. FIRST Aid. First aid does not include drugs (or tourniquets, unless you're out in the bush dealing with an amputation with no access to 911 and a hospital nearby).

Yes I know I was answering someone's analogy. Triddin was throwing out similes and comparing First Aid to CPR and was stating that there are no plan Bs

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB-Gyn/Primary Care/Ambulatory Leadership.
Yes I know I was answering someone's analogy. ****

And missing his point entirely, it would seem.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm sorry you feel that way about my advice *shrugs

You were giving advice!? That's funny.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment