OK, What Else Could I have Done?

Published

Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

Firstly, let me set the scene...

I am walking down the sidewalk with my DH, his uncle, and his cousin. We come upon this small crowd, a man laying in someone's yard, and another person fanning him with a ball cap. Since I was in a state where I am licensed, I ran over, identified myself, and asked what was wrong. His defibrillator had fired. I immediately took his pulse (nice and slow), and noted that he was wringing wet, he was so diaphoretic. He said that he had had the defib put in in June, and that it was the first time it had fired. He said that he felt a little sweaty and dizzy before it fired, but no c/p, nausea, or SOB. He had also just had the device interrogated, and it was working well. He did not know his settings. From what I gathered, it sounded like to me that he had lost his pulse or had an episode of Vtach or Vfib. I sat with him and watched him until EMS arrived.

Now, an aside...we were coming from a football game, and it was a home game. The home team won by a very narrow margin, it was a devil of a game, so you can imagine the crowd and the mentality. I happen to be for the opposing team, and was all decked out in other-team-colors, pom-pom in my ponytail, decals on my face, earrings, whole outfit, the works. My group was for the home team. So was the poor guy on the ground.

Can you imagine being in a vulnerable position like that, and seeing some other-team-color-wearing girl swooping down on you like some avenging angel? After I got to him and worked on him a minute, I hear a voice behind me say, "Well, now, isn't this a strange turn of events? I guess all of them really AREN'T that bad." (BTW, this is a BIG rivalry we're talking). After I got in the truck and thought about what it must have looked like, I laughed till I had tears rolling.

But, seriously, could I have done more? DH asked later if I couldn't help him, but I didn't even have my stethoscope, much less my kit or an EKG machine. Just looking for some reassurance. Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's tough when you don't have any equipment. EMS was already on the way, which is a good thing. I think you did a great job, even if it was only to provide reassurance that a medically trained person was at his side. I think that may have helped him clam down and not be as anxious. I give you credit for walking into the lion's den, rooting for the visiting team. There's not much you can do but I give you kudos for stepping up and doing everything you could. Sorry your team lost though :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care, Cardiac, EMS.

Let's see: You did a primary assessment, you made sure that help was on the way, you stayed with the patient, you did as good a secondary assessment as you could, and you handed off care appropriately. All while wearing the wrong colors in hostile territory, with no equipment and no backup! I bet you gave a good report, too.

Nope, that's one in the 'W' column in my book. :yeah:

Ted

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

Thank you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

One time I was on my way to work and I saw a car in a ditch. I turned around and stopped. I got out of the car and there was an elderly gentleman stretched out on the ground next to his car. I had no idea what was wrong with him. He had obviously crashed his car, managed to get out of it, and then collapsed.

Another person stopped and got out of their car, I told them to call 911. I went down to the guy and he was unresponsive. He had a pulse, and was breathing. I kneeled down, put my knees on either side of his head to stabilize his neck, and kept talking to him until an ambulance showed up. I just checked his pulse from time to time to make sure it was palpable. He didn't respond the whole time. I just kept telling him who I was, help was on the way, etc etc. Once the EMTs showed up I told them my assessment, they took over. I just got in my car, went home and changed, and went to work (10 mins late)

I mean , I couldn't have done anything. I carry one of those CPR kits in my car but he didn't need it. He didn't need first aid or CPR. I had my stethoscope with me but I didn't really see the point of going back to get it and use it. Not much I could have done in a muddy ditch for someone with no apparent injury except being unconscious.

Definitely you did all you could.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Let's see: You did a primary assessment, you made sure that help was on the way, you stayed with the patient, you did as good a secondary assessment as you could, and you handed off care appropriately. All while wearing the wrong colors in hostile territory, with no equipment and no backup! I bet you gave a good report, too.

Nope, that's one in the 'W' column in my book. :yeah:

Ted

I totally agree. Two thumbs WAY up!!!:up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

The D-fib did its job,....that's why he has it! You kept him calm while EMS arrived,...I bet he spent a couple of hours in the ER and went home! You did all you could do in the situation ,..even if he was a rival..:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.
Let's see: You did a primary assessment, you made sure that help was on the way, you stayed with the patient, you did as good a secondary assessment as you could, and you handed off care appropriately. All while wearing the wrong colors in hostile territory, with no equipment and no backup! I bet you gave a good report, too.

Nope, that's one in the 'W' column in my book. :yeah:

Ted

I'm in complete agreement with what TDF said. You did good!! :heartbeat

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

You did a great job! Exactly right in your actions. Once I was in a grocery store with my best friend and she had a defib implanted. She yelled my name I was next to her and said "Here take these and shoved to cantalopes in my hands and was on her way to sit down in the aisle, Then her defib went off. and Zowie she fell the rest of the way. She told me that she could feel it charging or felt something but she always had a warning. Just in time to get on the ground. This happened to me more than once when I was with her. She would always yell a profanity when it went off and she never swore. Any way I digress. She always said she was glad I was with her when it went off. That it made her feel safer and I bet the fella you sat with felt the same way.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med-surg, psych, ER, school nurse-CRNP.

I appreciate all the kudos, makes me feel better. I hate feeling helpless like that, but it really has a different flavor when you're surrounded by home-team fans and are about as popular as a skunk at a picnic, based on your attire. Football's a religion unto itself down here, thank goodness nothing ELSE happened to him while I was there. My life wouldn't have been worth a plug nickel.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU & CTICU.
Can you imagine being in a vulnerable position like that, and seeing some other-team-color-wearing girl swooping down on you like some avenging angel? After I got to him and worked on him a minute, I hear a voice behind me say, "Well, now, isn't this a strange turn of events? I guess all of them really AREN'T that bad." (BTW, this is a BIG rivalry we're talking). After I got in the truck and thought about what it must have looked like, I laughed till I had tears rolling.

People actually care about this stuff? If I keeled over you could come over dressed as a cow with udders, I'll still gratefully accept your help, as long as you know what you're doing.

Also, great job! :up:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Addictions, Acute Psychiatry.
People actually care about this stuff? If I keeled over you could come over dressed as a cow with udders, I'll still gratefully accept your help, as long as you know what you're doing.

Also, great job! :up:

I was going to say the same thing. If it was a bunch of high school students, sure worry about the game, get in fights, etc but we're talking adults who realize it's just a flip of a coin and chance what side you're going to root for.

Other than that, the right things were done. I've pulled people out of burning cars, stabilized necks and done cpr but maybe because I was looking for it (karma?). Now I don't want it and funny...it stopped occurring in my life :redbeathe

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment