Case Study: Quick Reaction in the Emergency Room
Ms. Chen is a 53-year-old woman who arrived at the emergency room complaining of abdominal pain, sharp pain in the chest, and difficulty breathing. The licensed practical nurse (LPN) takes Ms. Chen’s vital signs and becomes concerned. The LPN alerts the registered nurse (RN), who then assesses Ms. Chen more fully. The RN shares the findings with the emergency physician, who immediately orders oxygen for Ms. Chen. The doctor also requests that the patient be evaluated by the respiratory therapist and that an electrocardiogram (ECG) be obtained. The RN immediately contacts the respiratory therapist and the ECG technician. Once the results of the respiratory evaluation and the ECG come back, the RN and the physician meet to discuss next steps.
Discussion Questions
- Who are the members of the interprofessional team in this case?
- Because it is an emergency, which Sub-competencies of Roles/Responsibilities are most important in this case?
- Members of the interprofessional team in this case include:
a. Ms. Chen – The patient with the presenting symptoms. b. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) – The healthcare professional who initially assessed Ms. Chen’s vital signs and alerted the registered nurse (RN). c. Registered Nurse (RN) – The primary nurse responsible for assessing the patient more fully, coordinating care, and communicating with other healthcare team members. d. Emergency Physician – The doctor responsible for diagnosing and managing Ms. Chen’s emergency medical condition. e. Respiratory Therapist – The healthcare professional specialized in evaluating and managing respiratory issues. f. Electrocardiogram (ECG) Technician – The specialist responsible for obtaining and interpreting the ECG results.
- Because it is an emergency, several sub-competencies of Roles/Responsibilities are critically important in this case:
a. Rapid Assessment and Triage: The LPN’s ability to quickly assess the patient’s vital signs and recognize concerning symptoms is crucial for initiating the appropriate response.
b. Effective Communication: Effective communication is vital in emergencies. The LPN’s communication with the RN and the RN’s subsequent communication with the physician, respiratory therapist, and ECG technician ensure that the appropriate actions are taken promptly.
c. Critical Thinking and Decision-Making: The RN and the physician must rely on their critical thinking skills to assess the situation, prioritize care, and make rapid decisions about diagnostic tests and treatment.
d. Collaboration and Teamwork: All team members must work collaboratively to ensure that the patient’s needs are met efficiently. The RN’s coordination of care and communication among team members is critical.
e. Emergency Procedures and Protocols: The emergency physician must be well-versed in emergency procedures and protocols to quickly diagnose and manage the patient’s condition.
f. Technical Competence: The respiratory therapist and ECG technician must have the technical skills required to perform their respective assessments accurately and promptly.
g. Prioritization of Care: The ability to prioritize care based on the patient’s condition and the urgency of interventions is essential in an emergency situation.
h. Maintaining a Safe Environment: Ensuring the patient’s safety and comfort, as well as infection control practices, are important considerations even in high-stress situations.
i. Documentation: Proper documentation of assessments, interventions, and patient responses is critical for continuity of care and legal purposes. However, this may need to be expedited in emergency situations.