Should a nurse perform CPR to someone outside of the healthcare setting?

Nurses Safety

Published

  1. should you still perform cpr?

    • 93
      yes
    • 6
      no

99 members have participated

Should a nurse perform CPR to someone outside of the healthcare setting? Is it safe?

Specializes in Emergency Department.

Generally speaking, CPR out of hospital has a very low survival rate. However, it's better than zero and if it's done right, you can stave-off brain damage. Like I posted earlier in this thread, flow rates are only about 30% of normal. The push to CAB instead of ABC was to drive home that if we're doing CPR, minimal interruptions in compressions is desirable and it takes a while to bring circulation back up after a pause. So, once you start, don't stop for long, if at all. If you're lucky enough to get the person intubated quickly enough, do continuous CPR once the tube's in.

Would I do CPR "off the clock"? Yes. I have and I'll continue to do it, knowing how effective it is. Why? As poor as CPR is, I'm giving that person the best chance I possibly can. Since we don't do thoracotomies to do internal cardiac massage, it's what we're limited to. I would think long and hard about starting CPR on a trauma victim though.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

Of course! So should a plumber, a banker, a house wife, a preacher, a taxi driver, a pizza delivery boy/girl,.............:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
(That reminds me -- many years ago, when I was in nursing school and all hepped up about having learned CPR for the first time, my father, a physician, took me aside to tell me in all seriousness that, if he ever fell over dead in front of me, I should not waste any time fooling around with CPR, but just cut him open and do direct cardiac massage. He explained to me in great detail (and pointing to landmarks on his torso) exactly where and how I should cut and exactly how to do the direct massage. The whole conversation was practically traumatizing. :) He was always openly scornful of CPR, and used to say the only thing it was good for was to give the staff nurses on the floor something to do to feel useful while they were waiting for the code team to arrive -- he considered starting CPR out in the field idiotic. For better or worse, I've inherited his views. :) )

Cute post. BTW- I am a "DNR", but it's not tattoed on my chest, yet- so think twice about a lawsuit if you get too close to ME. In my view of myself- I coded for a reason, and it's time to 'kiss the sky'~

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency Department.
Cute post. BTW- I am a "DNR", but it's not tattoed on my chest, yet- so think twice about a lawsuit if you get too close to ME. In my view of myself- I coded for a reason, and it's time to 'kiss the sky'~

Just make absolutely certain that you've got the right paperwork or appropriate substitute (like a recognized medallion) on your person at all times. Without the correct documentation, you will likely be resuscitated. The lay rescuer typically has NO idea what a DNR is, and should that person begin CPR on you, Good Sam would protect them from lawsuit. I will check for evidence of a current, valid DNR and if I find one, I'm either going to stop CPR or I'm not even going to start...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So when you become a nurse and say the nightingale pledge, that only pertains to when your at work? I believe A REAL nurse is a nurse at home, a nurse in the car, a nurse at the gym, a nurse at a restaurant, a nurse at a wedding, a nurse in the park, a nurse in bed, a nurse in the swimming pool, a nurse at the mall, etc. If you know how to save them, and yes a nurse is obligated to save them, then save them!! Good Sam will protect you as long as you stay "in your scope of practice". Don't do anything a doctor would do. Do what a Nurse would do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I will always try to help. If it was me going down I certainly hope someone would try to save me. CPR is far from perfect, but it sure beats doing nothing until advanced help arrives.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I will always try to help. If it was me going down I certainly hope someone would try to save me. CPR is far from perfect, but it sure beats doing nothing until advanced help arrives.

Unless you ultimately end up in a vegetative state. But, I once had a BF and we discussed this to no end. His final argument, and conviction: I don't care what happens to me physically. If my mind can still function, even if I cannot communicate, but I can think- I don't even care if I am totally paralyzed and in a chair- I want to live. Not so for me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I have done rescue breathing for someone who had signal breaths and an adequate pulse, while the other bystander tried to prevent me from doing that :facepalm:; no chest compressions as of yet outside of a facility.

Regardless of he situation, I would try my best in the situation any way I can.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.

I believe that we all have an obligation to help each other, nurse or no. I would have a big problem with a lay person who knows CPR ignoring someone who needs it. FWIW, my dad has performed CPR out in the field twice( he's a retired firefighter) and both times not only got a pulse back, both people lived. I was always under the impression that CPR wasn't meant to bring someone back, but to buy time until the big guns arrived.

I would do CPR outside of my workplace.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Operating Room.
Unless you ultimately end up in a vegetative state. But, I once had a BF and we discussed this to no end. His final argument, and conviction: I don't care what happens to me physically. If my mind can still function, even if I cannot communicate, but I can think- I don't even care if I am totally paralyzed and in a chair- I want to live. Not so for me.

I agree with your BF, I would want to live too, if I still had brain function. But,people are different.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I agree with your BF, I would want to live too, if I still had brain function. But,people are different.

Take me 'out', please- no incapacities, whatsoever, thanks. . .

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The problem is some people come back with fully functioning lives. You don't know what the outcome will be so hence always start the CPR. I don't want to be on a vent for the rest of my life with no ability to move, think, etc, but I sure as hell want the chance to recover. I have seen patient who have coded more than once and have come back to live normal lives, sure they aren't the norm, but it DOES happen.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment