New LVN emergency situations

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Hi everyone, I recently got my LVN license and I have already been on a few interviews. I have realized that each place I've already interviewed at is only willing to give a new grad just a few days of training before being placed on the cart. So I guess I've been thinking about scenarios that can happen while working and I'm just wondering what situations I may encounter when I should definitely call 911. A few I can think of is a dangerously high/low blood sugar, blood pressure or when a patient has no pulse or respirations . I guess I am just trying to think of scenarios beforehand so that I don't freeze up. Thank you !

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Specializes in Dialysis.

you wouldn't call 911 for blood sugars or blood pressures. You would call the Dr most times, they would direct to call 911. Now that said, respiratory distress, chest pain, or collapse/non-responsive is 911 1st, then Dr. You'll learn as you get experience 

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I know this post was from a while ago but..there are many times when the Dr is not available at a LTC (I'm assuming this is LTC), most often they are not reliable. If unsure and unable to stabilize the patient or it is going to be uncertain to stabilize the patient call 911. If responsive, first try to do interventions; administer oxygen, glucagon, give fluids for low b/p, call doctor. That's safest for the patient.  In LTC you usually get burned having so many patients and no support. 

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@delrionurse thank you I need all the information I can get !

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Specializes in LTC & Rehab Supervision.

I've dealt with this in my LTC. One time I had a patient have only respirations, and only responded to sternum rub. She slowly went down in her vital signs about a half hour to an hour before.

She is/was a DNR/DNI, yet I called the family because I wanted the okay to send her out. He was the HCP, in which he agreed and I called 911 ASAP.

She lived.

In certain cases, you have to go with your gut feeling. You'll learn what needs to be called 911 for. Uncontrollable bleeding (Especially on warfarin, aspirin, Xarelto etc) unexpected vital signs changes (HR, o2 etc), and it can also be patient request! It's hard thinking of exact reasons to send someone out, but you'll know. The best bet is to call the on-call or house NP or doctor and see what they recommend/order. Make sure you have ALL your info ready for that call, especially because things can go downhill quickly. Like with that lady I described, if I didn't do anything, should have died. In which she a DNR/DNI, I followed the HCPs wishes and sent her out (with my plea LOL)

You WILL freeze up in these situation, guaranteed. No matter if you prepped the night before, let me tell you, you won't be ready for when the time comes. But you'll put on your fake it til you make it show and you'll be okay. Your mind will use your knowledge from school without you knowing and your fight or flight kicks in. It can be scary, and this is probably scary but I'm just prepping you. I've had it happen a few times. 

Most of the time you'll be calling the on-call/provider. They'll usually tell you what to do, and they will give you the okay to send them out, along with the HCP's or the patient's decision.

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Unless you are an LPN in a supervisory position if you have a registered nurse that you are working under first things first is to notify her and allow her to guide you since you are not that experienced

 

But this should be certain algorithms that as an LPN you can initiate in event of an emergency.

 

 

Since you have some knowledge of what possible emergencies may arise you could pose the question and have your supervisor advise you

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