Just want to know.....

nightmare, RN · Jun 21, 2007

Quite normal!You may be a nurse but you are also human and the fight or flight response reaction kicks in wether you want it or not! It was your first time and it will stand you in good stead for the next time.My adrenaline always goes off the scale if the fire bells go but your training steps in and you get on with doing the right thing,but it will never stop you feeling that panicky feeling initially.

fultzymom · Jun 21, 2007

My first time (and only so far) that I did CPR my patient died. It was the most horrible feeling ever. I cried et wondered if I was cut out for nursing. Then I had a doc explain to the odds of reviving someone with CPR et the chances that if you do, would they really make it. The more you are in situations, the more comfortable you will become with your responses. I have only done CPR once but there have been other emergency situations that I have dealt with and I have since learned to trust my judgement. Keep your chin up!

Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2007

I have been a nurse for three years now, loving most of it. Tonight I did CPR for the first time, the patient did not make it. I have felt like I am in a state of shock since then. Is this normal?? The nurse that assisted says I did a great job, but for the first time in my career, well actually life, I panicked. I have dealt with being the first person on the scene of a bad car accident, didn't lose my cool. But, tonight, I couldn't seem to remember anything, I reacted, but questioned every move I made..........is this normal, or should I be worried about my ability to handle the situations that I will face in the future??

I don't think your reaction was abnormal in any way. I did notice that this is posted in the Geriatric and LTC specialty forum, and while you did the right thing but giving this person CPR, since it was their wishes to have it as a full code, chances are that a geriatric patient whose heart stops is not going to make a recovery. In fact, most patients who are coded in a hospital setting don't make much of a long term recovery, even if you do get a heart beat back.

Here's an older article, but a I did a Google search for you of "long term survival after CPR" and also "long term survival after code blue". I'm comforted by information, so I hope that you are too.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3225/is_n4_v46/ai_12755284

((hugs))

Blee

gr8rnpjt, RN · Jun 21, 2007

The first time I ever did CPR was outside the hospital setting in our local mall. I was shopping with my family, we had sat down for a bite to eat. Across the way, I saw a big crowd gathering around a man on the ground in the front of a bank. As I came over the teller was saying he is a regular at that branch, had been standing in line and all of a sudden went backward to the floor. As I got up there, I started asking if anyone knew CPR. I was frightened to find that not only was I the only one who knew CPR, I was the only medical person on scene. I started to do one man CPR and quickly a man came over and said he knew CPR and we started with 2 person rescue CPR. We had been doing our thing for about 4 minutes when someone said that EMS had been called. Then someone else broke through the crowd and started criticizing how I was doing rescue brething. I asked her if she wanted to take over she said no but continued to criticize my technique. I had recently been recertified at work so I knew I was doing ok. But she kept telling me I didn't need to pinch the man's nostrils. She was very aggrevating but I ended up telling her if she did not want to take over then to keep quiet so we could to our best to save this man. She moved to the back of the crowd and continued to gripe. Finally, the EMS had arrived and they took him away. But he didn't look good, and he did not survive.

Maybe it was my technique :uhoh3:

Dorito, ASN, RN · Jun 21, 2007

The first time I did CPR the patient was an elderly woman and with all my adrenaline pumping I must have broke about 4 (or more) ribs with my first compression. I was mortified and I avoided compressions for 2 years tho still took part in the codes. Many times after that I noticed that there were chest fractures from the EMS or paramedics when the pt arrived in the ER. I was totally freaked out about the first time I did it but after you've done CPR a few times it gets easier. (p.s...to gr8rn- I'm sure your technique was fine and you indeed do pinch the nostrils unless it's an infant) I probably would have told the lady offering all the advice that if she didn't keep still she'd be needing CPR next! haha

Jo Dirt · Jun 21, 2007

CPR in a nursing home doesn't make a lot of sense to me, and the success rate isn't even that high with young people. I'm sure you did a fine job under the circumstances.

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Jun 22, 2007

CPR in a nursing home doesn't make a lot of sense to me, and the success rate isn't even that high with young people. I'm sure you did a fine job under the circumstances.

Thread Hijack... my apologies in advance

Hey!!!! Didn't I just read a thread from you yesterday saying you were going in to hospital to have a baby.... ANY YOU'RE ALREADY POSTING TODAY??

One tough motorcycle mama you are.

Hope everything went well and congratulations

Now back to the thread....

Sari_LPN · Jun 22, 2007

Thanks so much everyone, I am feeling a little better today. Did have a Dr. question me, like I purposely did something to make the patient code, yeah that's what I was wanting.......I do know next time will be easier for me, and it helps so much to know I am not alone in freaking out a little. The nurse that assisted last night didn't realize it was my first time until we were talking about it tonight, said she was impressed by how well I did. Guess I am cut out for this field after all.........

Sari_LPN · Jun 22, 2007

I don't think your reaction was abnormal in any way. I did notice that this is posted in the Geriatric and LTC specialty forum, and while you did the right thing but giving this person CPR, since it was their wishes to have it as a full code, chances are that a geriatric patient whose heart stops is not going to make a recovery. In fact, most patients who are coded in a hospital setting don't make much of a long term recovery, even if you do get a heart beat back.

Here's an older article, but a I did a Google search for you of "long term survival after CPR" and also "long term survival after code blue". I'm comforted by information, so I hope that you are too.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...46/ai_12755284

Thank you so much, reading that really did help. I have been going over and over every step I took, could I have done something better?? Knowing that statistics are this way makes me feel like I really did do everything I could.