You found a resident not breathing, no pulse, you're the only RN and aides? CODE,how?

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I'm just thinking the step by step that you'd do should you leave the resident alone to obtain the equipments in case aides are not familiar, or to notify the physician. Immediately set the resident on the floor and start CPR if with no DNR? Can you share me what you would do in step by step with this situation. Thnx :yeah:

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If this is at a nursing home and the resident isn't a DNR, start CPR and get someone to dial 911. However, I'm sure every facility has their own policy on such situations so you'd probably be best consulting the policy & procedures manual at your place of employment.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Every facility has their own policy and you need to know what it is. Asking here won't really help you.

But...you would stay with the resident, and start CPR. Most are DNR anyway where I am. Get your aide to call the code. Once more help arrives, notify physician and family.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Get someone to call 911 while you start chest compressions.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

Start CPR, and have an aide call 911.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Yup. Start CPR and have someone else call 911. I wouldn't even leave the room - I'd yell to someone. If nobody came after two minutes of CPR, I'd run over and stick my head out and yell some more for help.

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Hi! We are staffed pretty much the same way. Unless you are working days in my facility, you are the only nurse in the buildning. First, find out what your facility policy is. Second, make sure your aids know what to do. Our aids come and go pretty quickly, so I frequently explain to them what I would ask each of them do to do. I am very specific about this. We do a sort of quick "mock" code. I would stay with the resident, another aid would call 911 and the other would get the crash cart.

Our crash cart consist of suction, ambu bag and O2, so I am relying on CPR and how fast 911 services get notified and arrive.

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previous poster has excellent advice.. if you are the only nurse and the patient is a full code yell for help and start cpr.. and inservicing your aides frequently on this is an excellent way of having a backup plan.. i have had to do this before and believe me its the best you got .. making sure to know your policy and having that backup plan is the best insurance you have..

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I keep a cheat sheet with me of my DNRs as they are the minority where I am.If you dont know assume theyre a full code. Start CPR call for backup. CNAs are trained to do CPR, have one continue CPR another on the phone with 911 while you run the show (pull supplies off crash cart,bag,etc). Start everyday with the assumption you WILL have to code someone on your shift, know your reliable sources (aides), and most of all keep a clear head.

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Specializes in Cath Lab/ ICU.

You start the CPR just as if you found this person out in the real world. You start CPR and send someone else for help.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Tele/Onc.

So your aides are not required to know CPR? Don't we all get the same training for that? I mean, why would it be any different in a facility like LTC than in a shopping mall? Yell for help and start CPR. Get the help to call 911 and get the AED.

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