My patient died today

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He was 84. He came in with a long list of problems, but sepsis was the big one. His pressure tanked suddenly, but we couldn't bolus too aggressively 2/2 CHF. By the time we got pressors he brady'd down and lost his pulse. We coded him for 25 hopeless minutes, got PEA, but never got ROSC. It was the first patient I ever had die in my 22 months of nursing. I am pretty burdened by the whole situation and felt I had to put it somewhere. Thanks.

Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.
This always difficult. It sounds like you did all you could. Why would a patient that was this ill be a full code?

I agree…but why are patients who are trach/vent/tube feed dependent, and in a persistent vegetative state still kept as a full code by family? (Sorry, I know that opens a whole new can of worms.)

Anyway, to the OP, sorry this happened. Evaluate what happened, your performance in the situation, learn from it, and then move on.

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I agree…but why are patients who are trach/vent/tube feed dependent, and in a persistent vegetative state still kept as a full code by family? (Sorry, I know that opens a whole new can of worms.)

I am often seen as a cold and uncaring individual as I hold that belief as well. If I'm not "here", please don't keep me alive.

To the OP. Losing a patient is not easy. It'll get easier. It just reminds us that health and living are not guarantees.

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This always difficult. It sounds like you did all you could. Why would a patient that was this ill be a full code?

As we all know, it is the patient who makes the choice to be full code or DNR. Obviously this 84 year old chose full code. The staff did everything they could to honor his wishes. That is one of our toughest jobs as nurses because we know the consequences/results those decisions lead to.

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Actually, often not. I have had physicians tell me (despite living will on chart saying otherwise) that the pt will be a full code because the family wanted it and the pt can't sue them after they are dead but the family can. And yes, "living" in vegetative state is worse than dying IMHO.

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Actually, often not. I have had physicians tell me (despite living will on chart saying otherwise) that the pt will be a full code because the family wanted it and the pt can't sue them after they are dead but the family can. And yes, "living" in vegetative state is worse than dying IMHO.

The patient could sue them after they're trached and PEGed, or if they find out they've been resuscitated against their directive. Not likely, but it could happen

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