Situation in hospital - what do u do

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Idk how ABGs are drawn in your facility, but you could order a VBG and check for hypercapnea.
 
I did think that sounded a bit ambitious for any rapid response I'd ever seen, but if you can work it in, that does sound like a reasonable quick screen for ICP. If you have your equipment on you, it shouldn't take but a sec.
If you carry one of these around

w11842-f.jpg
 
I did think that sounded a bit ambitious for any rapid response I'd ever seen, but if you can work it in, that does sound like a reasonable quick screen for ICP. If you have your equipment on you, it shouldn't take but a sec.

It's stupid. You never "work in" a fundus exam in an unresponsive patient. If you think you may need to scan the head you scan it.

In a smoker on O's and narcs, the biggest bang for the buck after the narcan is a vbg. Hypercapnea doesn't respond to narcan. And any other lab abnormality bad enough to cause unresponsiveness is much less likely and would show up much more aggressively acute.

The problem with these questions is you need years of experience to really approach them properly in a practical manner.
 
It's stupid. You never "work in" a fundus exam in an unresponsive patient. If you think you may need to scan the head you scan it.

In a smoker on O's and narcs, the biggest bang for the buck after the narcan is a vbg. Hypercapnea doesn't respond to narcan. And any other lab abnormality bad enough to cause unresponsiveness is much less likely and would show up much more aggressively acute.

The problem with these questions is you need years of experience to really approach them properly in a practical manner.

Wait... was the nurse right? Shhhh don't tell the med students.
 
It sounds like hypercapnea, if so, you want to draw an ABG and check code status. Depending on the patients stated wishes. Get them to the ICU. Place a nasal airway and a rolled up blanket behind their upprr shoulders to have the weight of their head keep their airway open by extending their neck. Place soft wrist restraints and a bipap mask. I'm just a nurse but there... I just solved hypercapnea. Done it a dozen times.

When you hear hoof beats, think horses not zebras.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Top