Two very different presentations of anaphylaxis help provide an introduction to how to make the diagnosis of anaphylaxis, what to expect from the clinical presentation and evolution towards shock, the pathophysiology of anaphylaxis, and how to treat it.

DKA is so complicated... especially when the patient presents with a normal blood glucose! This case really sets the stage for explaining all of the dangerous aspects of DKA and the multifactorial approach to treating it. Christian and Sarah discuss the pathophysiology... down to the cellular level... of what's happening when patients go into DKA, some of the tests used to diagnose DKA like ABGs, and the delicate balance of fluid status and electrolytes that must be maintained when correcting this metabolic acidosis.

What started as pancreatitis, turned into massive transfusion protocol and a visit to interventional radiology. In this episode, Sarah, Katleen, and Marissa discuss a case that took an unexpected turn for the worse. They break down the pathophysiology of pancreatitis, it's treatment, and the nurse's role in the patient's recovery.

Supraventricular tachycardia can present very stable, but this patient rapidly declined.  In this episode we explain what exactly is happening with SVT, and go through all the different treatment modalities from vagal maneuvers, to medications, to synchronized cardioversion.

Surprising case that initially sounded like septic shock, but upon further investigation, the patient had a huge abdominal aortic aneurysm that was dissecting.  Learn about the clinical presentation, emergent interventions, and the nurse's role in saving this patient's life. 

Pulmonary Embolisms can pop up out of nowhere.  This episode breaks down the pathophysiology of PE and what interventions are needed to stop the PE spiral of death.

Air embolism to the brain is one of those rare complications of having vascular access. But just like your professor warned you, if you don't pull out the central line properly, you could cause an air embolus!!! Joining me for this episode is Rapid Response Nurse Marissa sharing her experience responding to a patient with altered mental status who had a large cerebral embolus.

Young healthy momma gets COVID and becomes critically ill 3 days after her baby is born. But after weeks on the ventilator, she recovers and is re-united with her baby. This podcast breaks down the disease progression of COVID and oxygen delivery modalities at each level. It draws back the curtain to see a glimpse of what COVID nurses have been facing for almost 2 years, and reminds all healthcare workers of the reason we keep fighting for these patients... to see them recover!

Great story of a classic presentation of Tachy Brady Syndrome that highlights the important role the bedside nurse plays in monitoring and intervening on the patient's behalf.

My first encounter with a true emergency as a nursing student taught me so much about increased intracranial pressure and the valuable role the nurse plays in detecting changes in the patient. In this episode we discuss the signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, including Cushing's triad.