How to Prep for a Medical Emergency with Your Patient

In nursing school, one of the many things you learn is how to prepare and handle a medical emergency with a patient. While emergencies can happen at any point throughout your career as a Pediatric Home Care Nurse, it can be helpful to remind yourself of the best practices for handling them. 

Recognize the Clear Signs of an Emergency

The first thing you should do to prepare for any type of patient emergency is to understand potential symptoms so you can recognize the signs. When you can recognize signs and symptoms early, you can quickly identify the severity and what type of medical health is needed. However, rushing to abrupt conclusions could cause a misdiagnosis and incorrect treatment.

Some examples of symptoms patients might exhibit during a medical emergency include:

• Shortness of breath, wheezing, or retractions
• Severe bleeding that fails to stop even with direct pressure
• Sudden loss of consciousness 
• Convulsions or uncontrollable shaking
• High fever (above 104°F or 40°C)
• Inability to speak, cough, or breathe
• Swelling of face, lips, or tongue

Have a First Aid Kit & Apply First Aid Measures

As a pediatric nurse, you’ll always have a first aid kit nearby to use in these medical situations. You’ll also need to be able to apply first aid measures to help with the medical problem before emergency personnel arrive at the home. 

Basic Life Support

This level of medical care is used during cardiac arrest, hemorrhaging, or airway obstruction. Provide chest compressions, rescue breathing, or use an automated external defibrillator for the patient.

Bleeding Control

Apply direct pressure to the wound using a clean cloth, sterile bandage, or gloved hand. 

Effectively Communicate with the Medical Team

In the case of a medical emergency, it’s important to have effective communication among all medical team members. When you have to make a 911 call, make sure to be concise with your message. Slowly and clearly articulate the situation, observations, and any decisions that you made before making your call. Be sure to share correct information about the patient’s medical history, present condition, and current care protocol. 

Prioritize Patient Safety

When you are in the middle of a medical emergency with your patient, it is extremely important to prioritize your patient’s safety. To ensure you are focusing on patient safety and well-being, follow these steps:

• Adhere to all protocols within your healthcare organization 
• Effectively communicate with your patient and their family
• Continue to monitor vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate
• Work collaboratively with emergency personnel 
• Practice good hygiene by wearing gloves and masks

While prioritizing patient safety is essential, it’s also important that you are providing information, comfort, and understanding to family members who might be feeling anxious during this time. 

A medical emergency can happen at any moment during your visit with a medically fragile child. Make sure you are prepared. The leadership at Thrive SPC will prepare all nurses with the necessary tools and training they need so they can provide compassionate care for children and support for families during medical emergencies and all year round.