Title: Week 6 Welcome
Course: 16SP-ASN-210-GH1A1-ADV NUR THROUGH LIFESPAN I > Section: Week 6

MANAGEMENT OF SHOCK, TRAUMA & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

Ignatavicius:

Chapters 8

Chapters 9

Chapters 10

Chapters 37

Welcome to Week # 6 of ASN 210! This is an exciting week and you are doing great!  We will discuss RN roles in Emergency Departments, specifically focusing on emergency & trauma nursing. We will move on to discuss other environmental emergency scenarios with the premise that seemingly harmless activities can have associated environmental health risks for our patients. The RN knows that all medical centers must have emergency preparedness and response teams in case of mass casualty (disaster). Finally, we will gain an advanced understanding of RN care for patients in shock, the types of shock and the cellular and pathophysiological changes that occur with each. Remember that you are not just relying on what you already know but you are growing your knowledge from what was covered in your LPN school and are using your textbook and lessons to attain advanced knowledge synthesis.

Remember, emergency departments (EDs) are fast paced and overcrowded environments that care for patients with a variety of health problems across the life span. Vulnerable populations who present to the ED include older adults, individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, mentally ill, and abused. The most common reasons that patients seek ED care include chest pain, abdominal pain, headache, and fever. The interdisciplinary ED team includes prehospital providers, physicians, nurses, specialty teams, and support staff. Please understand the best practices to maintain safety in the ED. You should understand competencies for the ED nurse, as well as the most commonly used triage systems, along with the most common mechanisms of injury, and the steps of the primary survey and trauma resuscitation interventions. All this should help you as an RN student to learn the proper nursing actions in emergency situations. You must also realize the importance of patient education and the discharge plan to include behavioral management strategies for patients with mental illness in the ED, and when to involve the psychiatric crisis team. Environmental hazards, such as insect bites or stings, reptile bites, and environmental conditions, may also pose threats indoors. Let us overview selected environmental emergencies and their management concepts for immediate emergency care needs. You must learn how to best handle emergencies including heat- and cold-related injuries, snakebites, insect bites and stings, lightning strikes, altitude sickness, and “near-drowning.” This knowledge should include acute care interventions for these hazards and illnesses and injury prevention strategies for nurses to incorporate into their own lifestyle and health-teaching opportunities. All medical centers must have emergency preparedness and response teams in case of mass casualty (disaster). The typical triage system for a mass casualty situation includes an additional category for those patients allowed to die. Special roles are assigned in a mass casualty incident. In the emergency department, the need for initiating the emergency preparedness plan is based on available resources, including staffing. It takes a lot to be prepared for an emergency, including a plan for child, pet, and older adult care. RNs should think about potential problems and the best way to prepare in advance in order to minimize complications. You should learn about types of debriefing that occur after a mass casualty event or period—i.e. critical incident stress debriefing and an administrative review. It is important to note that families and other survivors should be assessed for their reaction to temporary or permanent loss as a result of a mass casualty event. Nurses must understand that their role is to provide emotional support by encouraging relaxation, listening to survivor feelings, and referring to support groups. Nurses also need to be honest with victims and their families to help them adapt to their changed or new surroundings. Staff members need to take precautions to prevent the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Finally, we will review the types of shock and the cellular and pathophysiological changes that occur with each.  We will need to know relevant laboratory and other diagnostic tests and the importance of rapid intervention which requires the nurse to be prepared to perform immediate assessment and implement the appropriate medical and nursing interventions. Our understanding should include medications used in the treatment of shock. This is another busy week but once again, all worth it in nursing knowledge.

Here is your To-Do List this Week:

Tuesday- Week 6 Pre-Quiz (Pass/Fail)
Lessons:

- Emergency & Trauma Nursing
- Emergency, Disasters & Preparedness
- Managing Shock

Wed & Sunday- W6 Discussion Forum 4- 10 Points
Friday- Unit Post Quiz- 20 Points
Friday-ASN 210 UNIT EXAM # 3-150 Points (Exam content from Week 5 & 6)
Clinical Time & Assignments (Pass/Fail)