14 Urgent Situations and Coordinated Care Free Online FlashCards

How can you recognize that a patient may be deteriorating?

Compare current findings with the patient’s baseline and watch for new changes, concerning trends, or a mismatch between appearance and recorded measurements.

What should you do first when a patient suddenly worsens?

Stay with the patient and assess immediate threats, including responsiveness, airway, breathing, circulation, and vital signs as appropriate to your training.

When should you activate rapid response versus the emergency code system?

Activate rapid response under facility criteria for serious deterioration. If the patient is unresponsive and not breathing normally, activate the emergency response or code system.

What should you do when someone shows sudden possible stroke symptoms?

Sudden balance or vision changes, facial droop, arm weakness, or speech difficulty require immediate escalation. Note when the person was last known well.

What information does SBAR organize in an urgent report?

SBAR means Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation/request. It organizes an urgent report so the receiver understands what is happening and what help is needed.

Why may disaster triage differ from routine care?

A disaster may create more urgent needs than available staff, space, or supplies, so priorities and triage may differ from routine one-patient-at-a-time care.

What do the letters in SALT mass-casualty triage stand for?

SALT stands for Sort, Assess, Lifesaving Interventions, Treatment/Transport.

How should staff respond to hazards and instructions during a disaster?

Follow the facility emergency plan, supervisor instructions, and incident-command structure. Observe hazard warnings, use required protective equipment, and do not enter unsafe areas.

What guides a practical nurse’s role during emergency care?

Practical nurses contribute through observation, timely reporting, and care within their competence. Follow applicable scope and delegation rules; do not accept tasks outside your authorized role or competence.

Which respiratory changes can signal deterioration?

Increased work of breathing, abnormal breathing, or falling oxygen saturation are warning signs that require prompt attention.

Should you delay an emergency call to finish a full assessment?

Call for emergency help without delay. Do not postpone the call to complete a full assessment or reach a particular clinician.

How does closed-loop communication confirm an assigned task?

The receiver repeats the instruction, and the sender confirms it. This closed-loop process helps prevent missed messages or tasks.