Not for code RED or CODE blue

[Edmond Dantes]

Hello Nurses! How are you guys? ? If the patient is not for code red or code blue and then suddenly the patient develops VT on the screen, perspiring hard and then skin is cold and clammy, how would you go about it? Would you just call the MD or charge nurse? Any inputs? Thanks.

[LovingLife123]

I’m guessing you mean they have a DNR in place? It depends on what that DNR means. Is it just compressions and shock they don’t want or is it everything?

A DNR can mean many different things so I would check to see what is documented in the system. DNR does not always mean do not treat. And yes, I would call someone.

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

If you are not sure, make the call to the charge and MD. I’m curious, what does code red mean at your facility? Every single facility I’ve worked at in my career, a code red means ‘fire’. I’m trying to make the connection in your post.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

If the patient catches on fire, you don't extinguish the flame. They have to stop drop and roll under their own power.

[Edmond Dantes]

13 hours ago, BSNbeDONE said:

If you are not sure, make the call to the charge and MD. I’m curious, what does code red mean at your facility? Every single facility I’ve worked at in my career, a code red means ‘fire’. I’m trying to make the connection in your post.

Hello. Sorry for the confusion. In our hospital, code red means emergency situation when patient suddenly deteriorates. For instance, Ventricular tachycardia, seizures, stroke etc. While code blue is anything with regards the breathing or oxygenation such as status asthmaticus, severely short of breath etc.

So during those emergency situations our institution's policy says to activate a code. But what if the patient is not for code red nor code blue in short DNR?

What sort of nursing interventions that I can do? What will be my responsibilities? How can I make sure that I will not be held liable and be put into blame if the patient was not resuscitated?

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