Snapshot

I attended orientation within the Intensive Care Unit and had a tremendous teacher. She really knew every thing. I still have not met a wiser nurse or person for that matter. Her knowledge of physiology, pathophysiology, drugs, technology, and random fun facts that helped us survive the night shift amazed me! Moreover, she was (and is) a tremendous nurse – caring, compassionate, a very good listener, excellent at time management and every thing related to nursing care!

And her teaching skills? Incredible.

I used to be a brand new graduate who was lucky enough to work with and learn from this nurse daily. I had worked in that ICU as a nursing assistant for over a 12 months, so I knew among the basics (where to seek out supplies and which room was big if you’re just starting out, right?). I’ll always remember. this one time…

Amy (not her real name, in fact) would often stand within the back corner of a patient’s room while I used to be doing an assessment initially of my shift. Sometimes I forgot she was there until she began with “questions.” During this particular shift, she said, “Lisa, what happens if the ventilator suddenly goes off on a high peak airway pressure alarm?” I began going through the list of problems with the ventilator alarms: have a look at the patient – is he in distress, what’s his oxygen saturation, what color is he, hearken to the sounds of his respiration, is the endotracheal tube in place – after which I moved on to the ventilator – whether in there may be water within the pipes, is every thing connected accurately, etc.

Amy then said, “OK, no worries, however the high pressure alarm still goes off. Now what?” I replied, “I’d disconnect the patient from the ventilator and put him in a bag.” Amy replied, “Yes, what else are you able to do to seek out the explanation for the alarm?” I could tell by Amy’s face that I used to be missing something.

She pretended to take a photograph. What? I will need to have looked confused because she did it again. I assumed for a moment after which it hit me: chest x-ray!