Rapid Response RN

No matter your specialty, every nurse cares for patients with liver failure. Host Sarah Lorenzini starts off this four-part series on liver failure by sharing the story of a rapid response call that featured classic complications of cirrhosis: ascites, jaundice, and hypotension. Exacerbating the patient’s terminal condition was a suspected diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

In this episode, Sarah details how her team managed this case and breaks down the pathophysiology of cirrhosis, including why liver failure leads to so many complications. She covers how to assess and care for patients with cirrhosis, emphasizing the important role of nurses in educating families on liver failure.

Tune in for critical insights into the management of liver failure and its complications!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Initial assessment of a rapid response call for hypotension
• Pathophysiology of cirrhosis and its complications
• Management of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
• Role of nurses in liver failure patient care

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response Academy Link

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

NTI 2024 brought together critical care nurses from across the country, and this episode highlights over 10 of their most heartwarming and unforgettable stories. Host Sarah Lorenzini speaks to ICU nurses and nurse educators who share tales of human connection, critical thinking, and compassionate care. From navigating crazy shifts to creating new patient programs, their stories showcase the incredible impact nurses have on patients’ lives and the healthcare system.

Tune in to celebrate the dedication, empathy, and resiliency of today's nurses!

Connect with Maddi Flanagan:

https://www.instagram.com/nurse.maddi/

Connect with Michael DeFrancisco:

https://www.instagram.com/camp_competency

Connect with Nicole Kupchik:

https://www.instagram.com/nicolekupchik/

Connect with Nick McGowan:

https://www.instagram.com/critical_care_academy/

Connect with Kali Dayton:

https://www.instagram.com/daytonicuconsulting/

Nursing care plans are the bane of many a nursing student’s academic experience. They are seen as an unnecessary burden to their already heavy workload. But they play an important role in the nursing process, and nurses put these plans into clinical practice every day — whether they realize it or not.

In this episode, Nurse Gwenny, an ER and flight nurse turned EMS educator, speaks with host Sarah Lorenzini about the relevancy and value of nursing care plans. She shares real-life examples of the impact these plans have on critical care thinking and decision-making, especially in high-pressure environments. Nurse Gwenny also discusses her passion for teaching, and how she leverages her experience and insights in her role as an educator.

Sarah and Nurse Gwenny also explore the “green flags” of nursing practice, diving into notable traits like a positive attitude, desire to learn from mistakes, and more.

Tune in to learn how to embrace care plans, improve patient care and your nursing skills!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The value of nursing care plans
• Bridging theory and practice in critical care education
• Utilizing care plans in during critical care scenarios
• Practicing critical care thinking and decision making
• Identifying key traits of exemplary nurses
• The importance of continuous learn and growth in nursing

Connect with Nurse Gwenny:

https://www.instagram.com/nursegwennyrn/

https://www.tiktok.com/@nurse.gwenny/

Check out Gwenny's book, BUT WHY?: Going Beyond the What So You Can Understand the Why of Critical Care Transport: https://a.co/d/28tLpjP

Nursing educators may not hold the most glamorous position, but they are undoubtedly the backbone of the profession. Nurse Educator Patrick McMurray exemplifies this by bringing creativity and inclusivity into nursing education, supporting nurses at every stage of their career.

In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini talks to Patrick about his approach to teaching complex concepts and preparing students to succeed beyond the classroom. Using interactive learning strategies and holistic methods, Patrick helps nurses deepen their understanding of nursing practices and effectively apply their knowledge in clinical settings.

Patrick also offers a glimpse into a day in the life of a nursing educator, and discusses the profound impact nursing educators have on the future of nursing. His insights will help you determine if a transition to nursing education is the right next step in your career.

Join us for part two of the “So You Want to Go Back to School” series with Patrick McMurray!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The appeal of nursing education as a career
• What it means to be a good educator
• Rewards and challenges of being a nursing educator
• Redefining nursing education
• A day in the life of a nursing educator
• Nursing education as an act of justice
• The future of nursing education

Learn more about Patrick and find free educational resources on his website!

https://www.patmacrn.com/

Connect with Patrick McMurray:

https://www.instagram.com/patmacrn/

https://twitter.com/nursepatmacrn

https://www.tiktok.com/@patmacrn

Mentioned in this episode:

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Obstructive shock may be the least common type of shock, but it’s no less critical. As part of Nurse PodCrawl 2024, Bryan Boling and Brandon Oto from the Critical Care Scenarios podcast join host Sarah Lorenzini in this episode to talk about the critical care management of obstructive shock. Together, they walk nurses through a patient scenario, detailing the diagnostic process of obstructive shock due to pulmonary embolism.

Sarah, Bryan and Brandon review the three main causes of obstructive shock: pulmonary embolism, tension pneumothorax, and cardiac tamponade. They also discuss the importance of clinical assessments and diagnostic tools like ultrasound to distinguish between each cause, as well as considerations for treatment.

This episode is the perfect resource for nurses who want to deepen their understanding of obstructive shock. Tune in now to hear insights from three experienced pros!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Patient assessment and key diagnostic tools
• Diagnosing obstructive shock due to pulmonary embolism
• Treating obstructive shock due to pulmonary embolism
• Treatment implications for major causes of obstructive shock
• Diagnosis and treatment of tension pneumothorax
• Treatment strategies for cardiac tamponade
• Key takeaways on obstructive shock management

Check out the rest of Nurse PodCrawl 2024 episodes around cardiogenic, hypovolemic, and distributive shock!

Critical Care Scenarios: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/critical-care-scenarios/id1491559787

How Not to Kill Your Patient: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-not-to-kill-your-patient/id1612099061

Nurse Dose Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nurse-dose-podcast/id1486427611

The Q Word Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-q-word-podcast/id1407523803

Straight A Nursing: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/straight-a-nursing-study-for-nursing-school-exams-nclex/id1210975738

Up My Nursing Game: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/up-my-nursing-game/id1527032817

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response Academy Link

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

Which side of the debate do you fall on?  Should families be present during resuscitation or escorted to a quiet area to wait? Among those advocating for family presence are nursing researchers, Margo Halm, APRN-BC, PhD, FAHA, NEA-BC and Jessica Sexton, MSN, RN, CPEN. During their conversation with host Sarah Lorenzini, they explain why family presence is so important in patient-centered care and how nurses can facilitate a shift towards embracing this practice in their hospital.

Despite being backed by research, the concept of family presence during resuscitation is still debated by many healthcare professionals. Margo and Jessica address the common misconceptions that surround this controversial topic, provide insights on navigating institutional resistance, and share best practices of a family presence facilitator (FPF).

This episode also features powerful stories on the impact of family presence, tips on how to have important conversations with families and patients, and more. Tune in now!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Benefits of family presence for nurses, patients, and families
• Misconceptions of family presence during resuscitation
• The role of a family presence facilitator
• Best practices and avoiding common mistakes as a FPF
• Advocating for family presence in your hospital
• Stories that demonstrate the impact of family presence
• How to overcome resistance to family presence

Read more in the AACN Practice Alert, Facilitating Family Presence During Resuscitation and Invasive Procedures Throughout the Lifespan:

https://aacnjournals.org/ccnonline/article/44/2/e1/32253/Facilitating-Family-Presence-During-Resuscitation

Learn more about Margo and Jessica’s session at the 2024 NTI Conference:

https://www.aacn.org/conferences-and-events/events-calendar/national-events/event-sessions/national-teaching-institute---2024/c60m296/family-presence-during-resuscitation-and-invasive-procedures-updates-to-the-aacn-pract

Contact Margo Halm at [email protected]!

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response Academy Link

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

We’ve talked about hyponatremia, but what do you know about Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone secretion (SIADH) and Diabetes Insipidus (DI)? In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini and Nick McGowan RN, MSN dive into these diseases that develop from complex hormonal responses that manage the body’s water and sodium.

They explore the pathophysiology of both conditions, contrasting the excessive water retention in SIADH with the excessive water loss in DI and how this impacts diagnostic and treatment approaches. Nick identifies which labs and assessments are crucial to accurately diagnose and treat patients, highlighting the importance of neurologic assessments and best practices for correcting sodium.

Sarah and Nick also touch on the debate around cerebral salt wasting, and share interesting facts about the history of these conditions. Tune in to hear key lessons on recognizing and  treating these conditions from an experienced ICU nurse!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Symptoms and signs of SIADH and DI
• The pathophysiology of SIADH and DI
• Diagnostic approaches and key lab values
• Treatment and management of SIADH
• Treatment and management of DI
• Lessons from SIADH and DI patient stories

Check out Nick's course over at Critical Care Academy!

🔗 https://www.ccrnacademy.com?ref=sarahlorenzini

Connect with Nick McGowan:

https://www.instagram.com/critical_care_academy/

https://www.youtube.com/@criticalcareacademy8312

https://www.facebook.com/CCRNacademy

https://www.tiktok.com/@criticalcareacademy

On this special PodSwap Episode, you will be hearing from Nurse Mo from the Straight A Nursing Podcast! She does an amazing job breaking down all the pharmacology of medications we use for Rapid Sequence Intubation or RSI.

Rapid sequence intubation, a procedure performed to emergently intubate a patient with an intact gag reflex in cases of acute respiratory failure and/or cardiovascular collapse. As a nurse working in the emergency department or ICU, you will be obtaining and may be administering the medications used to perform a rapid sequence intubation. Please be aware of your scope of practice and facility protocol regarding the administration of these medications. In some cases, the medications can only be administered by a physician.

Which combination of medications the physician chooses will vary depending on a variety of factors including the patient’s condition and physician preference. A common combination is a sedative with a short-acting paralytic, though analgesics may also be utilized. This episode provides an overview of the medications commonly utilized for RSI:

• Propofol
• Succinylcholine
• Rocuronium
• Vecuronium
• Etomidate
• Ketamine
• Fentanyl
• Midazolam

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You can check out the following from Nurse Mo:

Full Transcript – Read the article and view references

FREE CLASS – If all you’ve heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES…you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life!

Study Sesh – Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!

Fast Pharmacology – Learn pharmacology concepts in 5 minutes or less in this audio based program. Perfect for on-the-go review!

Pharmacology Success Pack – Want to get a head start on pharmacology? Download the FREE Pharmacology Success Pack

Are you considering a career as a nurse practitioner? Do you want to go back to school to transition into an advanced practice nursing role? Join host Sarah Lorenzini and guest Dr. Sandra Pagenta, DNP, as they discuss opportunities available in nursing and how to decide if the nurse practitioner path is the right one for you.

Dr. Sandra Pagenta reflects on the evolution of her nursing career, from her early days as an RN to her current role as a nurse practitioner. She dives into the challenges and rewards of advancing your education and career, finding your niche, and achieving work-life balance.

In this episode, Dr. Sandra Pagenta also gives advice on how nurses can figure out their next career move and create the life they want. Tune in now!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Transitioning from RN to NP
• Pros and cons of working as a nurse practitioner
• Finding passion and alignment in your career
• Exploring a career as an NP 
• The flexibility of a nursing career

Listen to Sandra's Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-success-nps-podcast/id1566107516

Check out Sandra's Website:

https://successnps.com/

Follow Success NP's on Social Media:

YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYQYlS9d6m7HyMK7Z1BI5DA

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thesuccessnps

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response Academy Link

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

Every day that you complete a shift is a day to celebrate because nursing is undoubtedly one of the hardest professions in the world, especially in the last few years. Burnout rates are extremely high, and for good reason, but there are ways to keep your passion for nursing even after decades in the field.

In this milestone 100th episode of Rapid Response RN, host Sarah Lorenzini celebrates 20 years of being a nurse and *still* loving it. It hasn’t been easy, but two decades of continuous learning and navigating the challenges of the job has taught her invaluable lessons on resilience, self-care, and humanity.

Sarah reflects back on her early mistakes and the hard-earned wisdom that’s kept her love for nursing alive, including connecting with patients, growth through education and mentorship, prioritizing physical and mental health, and MORE.

Tune in now to hear Sarah’s "not so secret sauce" for loving nursing after 20 years!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The importance of self-advocacy and self-care
• Celebrating your nursing wins
• Preventing burnout through learning
• Mentorship and driving change

Listen to episode 38, Q&A: How to Effectively and Professionally Advocate For Your Patient… Even When the Provider is Intimidating, on Apple Podcasts!

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response Academy Link

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