Imagine working as a nurse, but you must stay attached to battery packs to stay alive. That’s the reality for Tiffany Davis Cannon, RN—full-time nurse, mother, and LVAD patient. After being diagnosed with peripartum cardiomyopathy, she had to adapt to life with an LVAD—but it’s been anything but easy.

In this episode, Tiffany candidly shares the emotional and physical challenges of living with an LVAD, how her experience changed her approach to nursing, and what she wants other nurses to know about caring for LVAD patients. Tune in to hear how she’s embraced her new normal and turned her experience into an opportunity to advocate for patients!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Early signs of peripartum cardiomyopathy
• Tiffany’s birth story and descent into heart failure
• Making the decision to get an LVAD
• How the LVAD works and the implantation process
• The reality of living life with an LVAD
• Challenges of working as a nurse with an LVAD
• How her experience changed her approach to patient care
• Common LVAD emergencies
• Tips for treating LVAD patients

Hear more from Tiffany:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/tiffany.cannon.397/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/tiffany_cannon90/

Email: [email protected]

Purchase her book, A Journey Through Supernatural Healing!

https://a.co/d/av53sri

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Would you know how to identify a blood transfusion reaction? This is one of those nightmare cases because we just expect that when we give blood transfusion, the patient will get better… but what about when they get worse?

In this reboot episode, host Sarah Lorenzini shares evidence-based research to shed some light and insight into this very rare, but potentially life threatening situation.

In today’s episode, Sarah goes over a case study of one of a rapid response patient she dealt with where she discovered there was a blood transfusion reaction when it wasn’t readily apparent. You will hear how the patient was reacting, how she assessed the situation, and how the patient was treated.

You will also hear Sarah’s cliff notes from what she researched detailing what kind of blood transfusion reactions to look out for, their treatment, what TACO and TRALI stand for along with their symptoms and treatment.

This episode is full of information that you may not learn in nursing school, but is SO useful when treating a patient that is having a blood transfusion reaction.

Tune in to hear this and more!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Synopsis of a rapid response patient after a blood transfusion reaction
• First thing to do when you discover a blood transfusion reaction
• Blood transfusion reactions in order of prevalence
• What does TACO stand for?
• Treatment for each blood transfusion reactions
• What does TRALI stand for?
• Symptoms TACO vs. TRALI and how they are treated

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response Academy Link

Wanna check out Rapid Response Academy: The Heart and Science of Caring for the Sick?

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What makes some teams work in sync and others fall into chaos? During emergencies, team dynamics are just as important as clinical skills for saving lives. Let’s dive into what it takes to create a work culture that encourages collaboration, where mistakes are as learning opportunities, and kindness builds trust!

This episode outlines the do’s and don’ts of leading a team during emergencies, covering everything from fostering a safe environment to breaking down barriers that keep people from speaking up. Tune in for insights that will help you provide the best patient care even in high-stress emergencies!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Lessons from a chaotic CVICU emergency
• The do’s and don’ts of team leadership
• How to create a culture of safety
• Why it’s important to be kind versus nice

Listen to  episode 62, “Resuscitation Leadership: Beyond the ABCs of CODE BLUE:”

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/62-resuscitation-leadership-beyond-the-abcs-of-code-blue/id1535997752?i=1000621879820

Listen to episode 123, “What Makes for a Great Resuscitationist?:”

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/123-what-makes-for-a-great-resuscitationist/id1535997752?i=1000670934458

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What makes sickle cell disease so challenging to manage? It’s not just the pain — it’s the complications, stigma, and the need for fast, effective care. In this episode, Morgan Taylor, RN helps us unpack the science behind sickle cell crisis and how nurses can address both the medical and emotional needs of their patients.

Learn how to recognize early warning signs of severe complications like acute chest syndrome, balance efficacy and safety in treatment, and help patients prevent a sickle cell crisis. Morgan also shares five key insights that will give you the tools and confidence to provide the best care to your next sickle cell patient. Tune in to this can’t-miss episode now!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Patient presentation and initial symptoms
• Pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia
• Pain management
• Role of fluids and oxygen therapy
• Advanced treatments and managing severe complications
• Signs and symptoms of worst case scenarios like Acute Chest Syndrome
• Importance of advocacy and patient education
• Psychosocial impacts of chronic illness

You can learn more about Morgan here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-clark-taylor/

Find out everything Archer Review has to offer here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/archerreview/

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response Academy Link

Wanna check out Rapid Response Academy: The Heart and Science of Caring for the Sick?

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Once called pseudoseizures, psychogenic non-epileptic seizures can confuse even seasoned clinicians — until you know the signs. These seizures mimic epilepsy but have entirely different causes, requiring a unique approach to care. In this episode, we explore how to distinguish PNES from epilepsy, the psychological factors that trigger attacks, and steps in the diagnostic process.

Learn how you can identify these episodes, provide compassionate care, and educate patients and their families about this misunderstood condition!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Three PNES patient stories
• What are psychogenic non-epileptic seizures?
• PNES versus epilepsy: key differences and signs
• Diagnosing PNES
• Treatment and the role of nurses

Learn more about psychogenic non-epileptic seizures here:

https://www.epilepsy.com/stories/truth-about-psychogenic-nonepileptic-seizures

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Do you feel confident recognizing status epilepticus? When a seizure doesn’t stop on its own, knowing the signs of this high-stakes emergency is the first step to preventing complications and even death. This episode breaks everything you need to know about status epilepticus — the warning signs, critical action steps, and the interventions that save lives.

In this deep dive for Epilepsy Awareness Month, Sarah unpacks the role of nurses to take quick action and advocate for patients in status epilepticus. From what happens in the brain during prolonged seizures to proper use of benzodiazepines and anti-epileptic drugs, we get into the nitty gritty of managing this life-threatening condition. 

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Status epilepticus case study
• Defining status epilepticus and its pathophysiology
• How to recognize the signs of status epilepticus
• Intervention tools and best practices
• Medication use and management
• Prevention and identification of underlying causes

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No power, no water, no communication. How do healthcare teams provide care during disasters? In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini and Brooke MSN, RN, CCRN, NE-BC share their experiences working as disaster response nurses after the hurricanes in Asheville, NC and Tampa, FL.

Get a glimpse into the challenges, collaboration, and determination that define hurricane relief nursing, as well as the unity and resilience shown by patients and communities in recovery. Listen to learn about the realities of crisis care, from deployment to being an effective nurse leader in a chaotic environment!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Deploying to Asheville with limited resources
• What it’s like working on a disaster relief nursing team
• The coordination of patient care and operations in disaster relief
• Stories of humanity, kindness, and uplifting moments in crisis
• Common medical issues and challenges during hurricane disasters
• How to maintaining team morale as a nurse leader
• The biggest lessons from working as a hurricane relief nurse

Check out Accuryn for yourself:

https://accuryn.com/why-accuryn/

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You never forget your most embarrassing nursing moment — especially when it happens in the middle of a critical situation. In this episode, Sarah recounts an unforgettable, cringe-worthy blunder during a rapid response call for a COPD patient in respiratory distress. Discover how she managed the patient’s COPD exacerbation and advocated for the patient’s care despite a lack of urgency from some on the medical team.

Sarah also dives into the pathophysiology of COPD and intervention strategies, evaluating the pros and cons of the various oxygen delivery modalities like non-rebreather masks and BiPAP. Curious how an awkward moment turned into a valuable lesson for COPD care? Tune in now!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The embarrassing BBQ incident
• Lessons from a COPD patient story
• Pathophysiology of COPD
• The truth about hypoxic drive
• Oxygen therapy and choosing the right delivery method for your patient
• When intubation is the best intervention

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Caring for patients withdrawing from alcohol can be challenging to say the least. In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini shares a case of a patient recovering from emergency surgery, and highlights the subtle but critical signs of alcohol withdrawal—like anxiety, tremors, confusion, tachycardia, and hypertension—that often go unrecognized until symptoms escalate.

Key topics covered in this episode include:

• The pathophysiology of alcohol withdrawal, focusing on how chronic alcohol use disrupts the balance between the brain’s inhibitory GABA and excitatory glutamate neurotransmitter systems.
• A detailed timeline of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, from early signs (6-12 hours) to severe complications like delirium tremens (48-72 hours).
• The importance of compassionate, non-judgmental care for patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) during withdrawal, and why judgment rarely leads to positive change.
• The role of CIWA-Ar scoring to assess withdrawal severity and guide treatment, including common medications like benzodiazepines and the emerging use of phenobarbital for symptom management.
• Critical reminders to carefully evaluate all symptoms and avoid misattributing every instance of confusion or agitation to alcohol withdrawal, ensuring comprehensive care.

Tune in to learn how to recognize and manage alcohol withdrawal, keep patients safe, and provide the compassionate care they need during this vulnerable time.

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response Academy Link

Wanna check out Rapid Response Academy: The Heart and Science of Caring for the Sick?

CONNECT

Bringing calm to chaos is an underrated skill in medicine. During her talk at the ResusX Conference, Sarah explored this concept and the importance of guiding teams through high-stress situations. In today’s episode, you’ll hear what happened when Sarah responded to a bloody code blue that ended in tears and defeat. This patient story is a prime example of why being a great resuscitationist requires more than clinical skills, and how leadership and communication can make or break a team’s performance under pressure.

So, what makes for a great resuscitationist? Tune in as Sarah breaks down three areas you should focus on to become a better resuscitationist leader!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Lessons from a chaotic code blue
• What makes a great resuscitationist?
• How to effectively lead a resuscitation team
• The crucial role of debriefs

Mentioned in this episode:

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