Need help on a job interview question

[imsodizzy]

Hello there! I had an interview last week and looking back I think I didn't do too well especially when they asked me a clinical situation type of questions. Anyway, how should I have answered on this type of situation in an emergency Department setting? I'm still debating with my buddy with regards to the right answer.

Patient A - Male, intoxicated, could be drugs or alcohol, GCS 12, unresponsive to verbal stimuli. The patient is making gurgling sounds.

Patient B - Came in with Acute Coronary Syndrome. The patient suddenly experiences chest pain, becomes diaphoretic, cold clammy skin.

What should you have done in this situation?

And by the way, could you tell me what's a good reference, online or not, for me to be able to practice answering these kinds of questions? Thanks in advance. :)

[sairin8]

DRSABC is often a good starting point

[ceridwyn]

it is law that all health agencies have staff that are updated in basic life support yearly, this is an excellent website about all trauma even snake and spider bites! Australian Resuscitation Council Website

[imsodizzy]

Thank you very much for the replies sairin and ceridwyn!

[ceridwyn]

With all due respects, if you are applying as a nurse with little experience in Australia, chuck out the NCLEX review book.

The above poster has reported what may be ordered by medical staff, not what is expected of a nurse with little experience in ED. Thats what the interviewers want to know, what you know to keep acute patients alive until medical assessment is made. These two scenerios are to see if you know basic emergency care.

If you are experienced or an NP, you would be covered by scope of practise in ED....take blood, cannulate, but I am sure they just want to know that you know your first aide, the basics.

The interviewers are looking for in a new nurse in ED the more experienced staff, want a nurse, that knows the basics, checks vitals, positioning, oxygen, checking airway obstructions, start monitoring, check the vitals, again if need be call for help get resus trolley, start resus.....all the basics for ED patients until medical assessment arrives which you would hope in these two instances would be fairly quick.

Anyone feel free to change or add my suggestions, have only worked in ED a few months over the years.

[imsodizzy]

With all due respects, if you are applying as a nurse with little experience in Australia, chuck out the NCLEX review book.

The above poster has reported what may be ordered by medical staff, not what is expected of a nurse with little experience in ED. Thats what the interviewers want to know, what you know to keep acute patients alive until medical assessment is made. These two scenerios are to see if you know basic emergency care.

If you are experienced or an NP, you would be covered by scope of practise in ED....take blood, cannulate, but I am sure they just want to know that you know your first aide, the basics.

The interviewers are looking for in a new nurse in ED the more experienced staff, want a nurse, that knows the basics, checks vitals, positioning, oxygen, checking airway obstructions, start monitoring, check the vitals, again if need be call for help get resus trolley, start resus.....all the basics for ED patients until medical assessment arrives which you would hope in these two instances would be fairly quick.

Anyone feel free to change or add my suggestions, have only worked in ED a few months over the years.

I have to say that the link you provided proved extremely helpful. Thanks again ceridwyn!