T1: Rapid Response Team

Question 1

Patients often exhibit early and subtle signs of deterioration around how many hours before cardiac or respiratory arrest

Answer 1

6 to 8 hours

Question 2

Progressive care units (PCUs)

Answer 2

also called intermediate care or step-down units, provide a transition between the ICU and the general care unit or discharge

Question 3

what are some examples of PCU patients

Answer 3

◦Awaiting stent placement
◦awaiting heart transplant
◦receiving stable doses of vasoactive IV drugs (e.g., diltiazem [Cardizem])
◦being weaned from prolonged mechanical ventilation

Question 4

the cardiac index is specific to the…

Answer 4

patients weight, so this is a more clear picture on what is going on with the patient based on their size

Question 5

what is the normal ejection fraction

Answer 5

50-70%

Question 6

End Tital CO2

Answer 6

the concentration of exhaled carbon dioxide and “how well the patient is breathing” under anesthesia”
(since retained CO2 can cause an ALOC)

ETCO2 is about concentration, not about amount

Question 7

IABP (intra-aortic balloon pump)

Answer 7

Catheter balloon threaded up through descending aorta, synchronized with person’s heart rhythm, helps to DECREASE the work load of the heart

Question 8

LVAD

Answer 8

left ventricular assist device

Question 9

RVAD

Answer 9

right ventricular assist device

Question 10

what is the benefit of arterial BP

Answer 10

nurse can still get BP, draw blood and patient doesn’t have to get stuck as much and decreases infection

Question 11

what should you never push any other medications through

Answer 11

bicarb drip and a transfusion

Question 12

HINT HINT: Why do we need rapid response?

Answer 12

-Recognize urgent unmet needs of patients
-Initiate response for assessment, intervention, and triage.
Overall: IMPROVE PATIENT OUTCOMES

Question 13

what are the two main functions of the RRT

Answer 13

Recognize urgent unmet needs of patients
◦Timely identification of clinical deterioration
◦Prompt activation of the team
Initiate response for assessment, intervention, and triage.
◦Activation of team members

Question 14

what does the bedside nurse do in a rapid response

Answer 14

use SBAR to give all of the information needed to the RRT

Question 15

HINT HINT: delays in recognition

Answer 15

-failure to monitor
-failure to recognize a problem (assess and reassess
-failure to escalate (who needs to know about the change, what is the best way to expedite care?)

Question 16

members of the RRT team

Answer 16

◦ICU nurse or Swat Nurse
◦Assigned client nurse
◦Respiratory Therapist
◦Nursing Supervisor
◦Pharmacist
◦ Provider

Question 17

protocols for a rapid response

Answer 17

Begin treatment before provider arrives
Airway management-O2
12 EKG
Lab
Medications