Question

You are the code team leader and arrive to find a patient with the above rhythm and CPR in progress. Team members report that the patient was well but reported chest pain and then collapsed. She has no pulse or respirations. Bag-mask ventilations are producing visible chest rise, high-quality CPR is in progress, and an IV has been established. What would be your next order?

Answer 1

If a patient arrives with no pulse or respirations, CPR should be continued while ensuring high-quality compressions and ventilations. The next order would depend on the patient's specific condition, whether it's a shockable or non-shockable rhythm patient and the current guidelines and protocols followed in their healthcare setting.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient arrives to find a patient with no pulse or respirations, CPR should be continued while ensuring high-quality chest compressions and ventilations. Since an IV has already been established, the next order would depend on the specific condition of the patient. If the patient is in a shockable rhythm (such as ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia), the next order would be to administer a defibrillation shock. This can be done using an automated external defibrillator (AED) if available.

If the patient is in a non-shockable rhythm (asystole or pulseless electrical activity), additional interventions such as administering epinephrine or performing advanced airway management may be necessary. This decision would depend on the specific protocols and guidelines followed by the code team. It's important to note that the specific next order would be determined by the code team leader based on their assessment of the patient and the current guidelines and protocols followed in their healthcare setting.