Questions about Cardiac Arrest

[Guest1171160]

Hello, I was hoping to get some help. I am having a very hard time with a decision I made regarding my mother, and it is eating me up.  My mother passed out, and became unresponsive, although she still was breathing, CPR was not preformed prior to EMS arrival. The call was made right away so from time of call until EMS started CPR was 6 minutes. The report states my mom had apena for breathing type, then she lost consciousnesses, and was without a pulse for 12 minutes, before EMS got a ROSC. She was still unconscious. At the hospital, they did the therapeutic hypothermia, but she still had brain swelling. When they took her off, they did a EEG and I believe another ct scan. The neurologist told my family that she would be in a vegetative state if she woke up and recommend withdrawing life support, which we did on day 5. I have since learned more about everything, and am worried we did the wrong thing.  I read that assessments should be done three days after hypothermia is stopped, not before they did it within 12 hours of her being warmed up. They never hooked her up to the EEG again after that. I don't know if she was sedated while on the EEG which would have messed up the results of that test. Could she have had that much brain damage that it would be severe and not recover? Should we have waited? 

[dianah, ASN]

A very sad situation for you and your loved ones.  My condolences.  It is not uncommon at all, for family (and even nurses) to second-guess decisions made, actions taken, during critical times and situations.

Your questions, however, should be asked at the facility, possibly with a request for an ethics consultation (though the facility may only do these for in-patients).  Perhaps a meeting with the neurologist? 

As disappointing as it is to hear, I regret to tell you that no one on this site may answer any medical questions, per the Terms of Service. 

 Gentle hugs as you grieve.

[amoLucia]

16 hours ago, dianah said:

As disappointing as it is to hear, I regret to tell you that no one on this site may answer any medical questions, per the Terms of Service. 

 Gentle hugs as you grieve.

OP - your questions are very intensive and reflective of someone in the early stages of grief & grieving. It is soooo crippling to try and wonder In retrospect about the 'maybe's' and the 'what if's'. As someone who has been there and done that, I recommend you rest & trust in the competency & knowledge of those who were assigned to her care.

Prayers & best wishes to you & you family in this distressful time.

[Hannahbanana, BSN, MSN]

The people to answer your very reasonable medical questions did so at the time your mother came under their care. Most would be happy to take a phone call later, after a family has had time to process their experience and shock, to answer questions like yours. They know that these questions don’t always come up in the moment, and even if they do, sometimes the answers don’t get fully understood or retained.
 

Please do call and ask them now, or ask her primary care physician to explain why they made the decisions they recommended.  This will help you immensely with your feelings and help bring you peace.
 

Warm sympathy for your loss.