Ventilating with BVM

[antidote]

I am a rather big fan of E.R and Greys Anatomy of the like of shows. One thing (on top of incorrect CPR and general arrest situations) is when a patient is being "ventilated" with a ambu bag (BVM).

The most common thing I see is when they squeeze the bag rapidly without any counting (for example: squeeze, squeeze, squeeze -2 seconds pause- squeeze, squeeze, squeeze, squeeze, squeeze, squeeze -- you get it). We would be forcing so much air into the lungs and plus, in most cases the chest isn't even rising when they do this!

From what I remember, for an adult you deliver one breathe about every 3 seconds. So in this case:

squeeze 1 - 2 - 3 squeeze

And so forth and so on. Now of course, the amount per minute can be modified depending on patients age (or unless otherwise specified by a MD or RT) but this is just something that really irritates me!

Thanks for reading.

[Christie RN2006]

My mom and sister refuse to watch any show dealing with medicine with me! I point out all the mistakes they are making... Like coding a patient that is in NSR on the monitor or shocking for Asystole, etc.

[antidote]

My mom and sister refuse to watch any show dealing with medicine with me! I point out all the mistakes they are making... Like coding a patient that is in NSR on the monitor or shocking for Asystole, etc.

That is all I watch them for... kinda LOL!

Shocking in asystole is something they're big on in Greys Anatomy -- I find that VERY irritating.

[GilaRRT]

Actually many nurses are notoriously poor at airway management. It is something that we do not teach, learn, or perform well or often enough and with proper technique often enough to really use effectively. I can allready smell the hot tar and feathers; however, I am serious. Many clinicians lack basic airway management knowledge and skills.

If you want a laugh check this out. Anybody who has their CEN, please look at the cool wallet card picture. A nurse is no the front attemptig to use "outstanding" one handed BVM technique.

On a seious note, please check out this article on airway management. I think anybody who may need to perform airway management at any level should read this article.

http://planet.cnm.edu/healthoccupations/HO_Program_Homes/EMT/Ten%20commandments%20of%20Airway%20Management.pdf

[FireStarterRN, BSN, RN]

I thought this thread was about praying to the Blessed Virgin Mary and telling her our woes...

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

In all my years NO ONE has ever instructed me in exactly how to use an ambu. Trial and error I got it, but when you get painful thumbs you might just want someone else to take over, I'd much rather do compressions for a while.