Pre-employment Questions

StillsmilingRN · Oct 12, 2012

I would want to know if my pt had a pulse and what the read out is from the defibilator (heart rhythm), I would assume since u put on the defibilator they don't have a pulse, so I would start doing chest compressions.

I guess the question to me is very vague, b/c it might not fire due to a rhythm that doesn't allow defibrilation, or a malfunction. If its malfunctioning definately start compressions and have someone go get another.

Cleverbee23 · Oct 12, 2012

Ok great so I'm not the only who was a little puzzled by the question. Thank you very much StillsmilingRN, I really appreciate it!

bradleau · Oct 17, 2012

I would make sure the machine is plugged in, that all connections are tight. This should be done at each change of shift. The machine is charged up/ both plugged in and unplugged ...and test fired. If you are concerned you can do this your self at any time. Even if assigned to someone else.

wildboo · Oct 17, 2012

I think they want to know if you can trouble shoot your defibrillator. If you've never used one, this can be a difficult question to answer. Here is what I would say. Assuming your pt needs a shock, a) check and see if you are in defib mode. B) make sure your connectors aren't still in "test" mode. (This is how you test your batteries in the morning so the dump the charge. Sometimes people forget to reconnect them to the defib pads. D'oh! Happens all the time) and c) swap batteries. Those al the most likely culprits for a defib failure. Hope that helps !

baumeisterfuller · Oct 17, 2012

Hello everyone, I am applying to various hospital positions and I am frequently coming across the same 5 questions. I don't have much experience with machines or malfunctions as my clinical rotations usually consisted of my professors assisting or obtaining things on our behalf so I'm really having trouble answering one question. If anyone could please help me I'd greatly appreciate it. :)
1)Your patient is crashing, you set up the defibrillator and it doesn't fire, what would you do?

Assuming the patient is in a shockable rhythm, have someone else continue CPR and make sure the SYNC button is not on. Check machine from plug in wall [maybe batteries are dead?] all the way to pads on patient, to make sure everything, all cables etc, are connected and tight in their sockets. Replace machine if after confirming shockable rhythm, no sync, and power on, it still did not fire.

Pistachio · Oct 17, 2012

What were the other four questions.

Cleverbee23 · Oct 18, 2012

Thank you very much for your input, I will include this the next time I come across the questions.:)

Cleverbee23 · Oct 18, 2012

I think they want to know if you can trouble shoot your defibrillator. If you've never used one, this can be a difficult question to answer. Here is what I would say. Assuming your pt needs a shock, a) check and see if you are in defib mode. B) make sure your connectors aren't still in "test" mode. (This is how you test your batteries in the morning so the dump the charge. Sometimes people forget to reconnect them to the defib pads. D'oh! Happens all the time) and c) swap batteries. Those al the most likely culprits for a defib failure. Hope that helps !

Very, very thorough, thank you very much! It is a bit difficult for me to know all the things that can go wrong as I've never really had to do more than test the machines in the morning, at the start of my rotations or during practice ACLS scenarios. Thank you very much for your input! :)

Cleverbee23 · Oct 18, 2012

Assuming the patient is in a shockable rhythm, have someone else continue CPR and make sure the SYNC button is not on. Check machine from plug in wall [maybe batteries are dead?] all the way to pads on patient, to make sure everything, all cables etc, are connected and tight in their sockets. Replace machine if after confirming shockable rhythm, no sync, and power on, it still did not fire.

Thank you very much, I appreciate your concise answer. :)