Arterial Blood Gas interpretation is tricky if you aren’t regularly looking at them, and a lot of the information out there makes it really confusing. In today’s episode, you will hear a palatable explanation on what you need to know when looking at ABGs, how the kidneys and lungs work together to maintain pH balance, and examples that will help you wrap your head around all of it.If you have been looking for a simple explanation of ABGs, this is definitely the episode for you. So be sure to tune in!Topics discussed in this episode:How Sarah learned about ABG interpretationValues to memorize when looking at an ABGDetermining whether the ABG is acidotic or alkaloticInterpreting the First, Middle, and Last name of the ABGExamples of metabolic and respiratory derangements Do you always need an ABG?This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.comMentioned in this episode:Rapid Response and Rescue Intro CourseIf you would like to check out Sarah’s 1hr, 1 CE course, go to: http://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com To get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST!AND If you are planning to sit for your CCRN and would like to take the Critical Care Academy CCRN prep course you can visit https://www.ccrnacademy.com and use coupon code RAPID10 to get 10% off the cost of the course!

Concluding this two-part series on acute respiratory distress syndrome, Sarah and Christian Guzman APRN focus on the treatment options of ARDS and how you can make a difference in the outcome of ARDS patients.They cover the pros and cons of deep sedation, early paralysis, inhaled vasodilators, steroids and more.  You’ll also learn about the rationale for prone position therapy and ECMO.Topics discussed in this episode:Pharmacological interventions for ARDSPros and Cons to sedation and paralytics for patients with ARDSThe controversial use of steroids and more medicationsBenefits of prone position therapyThe role of fluid managementHow Christian treated his ARDS patientDetermining when to cannulate for ECMO and when take a patient off ECMOChristian’s tips on recognizing and treating ARDSIf you would like to check out Sarah’s 1hr, 1 CE course, go to: http://www.rapidresponseandrescue.comTo get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST!This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.comMentioned in this episode:AND If you are planning to sit for your CCRN and would like to take the Critical Care Academy CCRN prep course you can visit https://www.ccrnacademy.com and use coupon code RAPID10 to get 10% off the cost of the course!

Sarah is welcoming back Christian Guzman APRN on the show for a two-part series on acute respiratory distress syndrome, otherwise known as ARDS. Don’t know how to properly diagnose ARDS, or treat it without further damaging the lungs? This episode will answer your questions!Christian shares the case of a patient who presented with abnormal symptoms for his age, and how they reached an ARDS diagnosis. ARDS is a secondary diagnosis, so you’ll also hear how to differentiate between ARDS and other conditions like pneumonia, aspiration, congestive heart failure, viral infections, etc.In this episode, Christian gives a history of ARDS, how our treatment methods have changed, and why lung protective ventilation is essential for care. He also details the 3 types of trauma that can occur with ventilation, including atelectotrauma, barotrauma and volutrauma, plus one newer trauma that’s showing up in the literature.For a breakdown of the history, pathology, and treatment for ARDS, listen to this conversation!Topics discussed in this episode:Christian’s career in critical careHis patient’s unusual presentation in the ERWhat the patient’s tests showed and what was concerningThe cause of the patient’s pleural effusionDiagnostic criteria for ARDSThe progression of ARDSHow we treat ARDSTypes of ventilation traumaHow to prevent harm and promote resting of the lungsIf you would like to check out Sarah’s 1hr, 1 CE course, go to: http://www.rapidresponseandrescue.comTo get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST!This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.comMentioned in this episode:AND If you are planning to sit for your CCRN and would like to take the Critical Care Academy CCRN prep course you can visit https://www.ccrnacademy.com and use coupon code RAPID10 to get 10% off the cost of the course!

It’s a huge shift in mindset and level of responsibility to go from introducing yourself as “Hi! I’m the nursing student” to “Hi! I will be your Nurse today”.  This episode is not just for Nurses who are making that transition from student to “The Nurse” but also for anyone who will be precepting and mentoring new Nurses.  Sarah welcomes Stephanee Beggs to the show for an important discussion on how to successfully make this transition.Stephanee Beggs, BSN, RN, has made the Forbes 30 Under 30 List since leveraging her business background with a new nursing career as CEO of RNExplained. Her company provides fellow nurses and students with educational resources, and her social media content has attracted a large following. After graduating from an accelerated nursing program, Stephanee thought the hardest part of transitioning from student to nurse would be applying the skills taught in simulation labs. In reality, the toughest aspect of the job proved to be very different.Stephanee shares how she balanced gaining new knowledge and developing her skills in the busy environment of the ER as a new nurse. We also go over the flaws in nursing education, how nursing schools can improve, and the most effective way to train new grads.If you want to prepare for the transition from nursing student to nurse, including how to deal with tough personalities and what you have to learn on the job, tune in now!Topics discussed in this episode:Stephanee’s career journey and nursing educationHer fears and the hardest parts of becoming a nurseHow to get the most out of your new Nurse orientationNavigating nursing culture and Stephanee’s approach to dealing with “bullies”How nursing school education could be improvedWhat hospitals can do to better help nurses transition into their careerStephanee’s advice to preceptors training the new wave of gradsOur best advice to new nursesConnect with Stephanee Beggs:https://www.instagram.com/stephaneebeggs/https://www.tiktok.com/@stephbegghttps://www.youtube.com/@rnexplainedhttps://www.etsy.com/shop/RNExplainedIf you would like to check out Sarah’s 1hr, 1 CE course, go to: http://www.rapidresponseandrescue.comTo get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST!This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.com

Aspiration Pneumonia can come from a variety of sources and sometimes it is difficult to put your finger on when you didn't see your patient aspirate. As the lungs begin to react to the foreign substance, the symptoms start accumulating and it becomes undeniable that aspiration has occurred.Rapid Response RN always emphasizes the importance of advocating for our patients because patient advocacy is a crucial responsibility that can make the difference in a patient’s health and recovery.In this episode, Nurse Mo of the Straight A Nursing Podcast shares how she advocated for a patient with aspiration pneumonia. She details what clues led her to believe the patient had a serious issue, why aspiration pneumonia is such a serious condition and how to diagnose it.We also talk about nursing pet peeves, how to advocate for your patient when there’s opposition, the ins and out of bronchoscopy procedures, and more.Tune in to learn how you can prevent aspiration, what signs and symptoms to look for, and the best way to advocate for your patient!Topics discussed in this episode:Who is Nurse Mo?Nurse Mo’s initial assessment findings on her patientHow she documented her findings in her notesWhat tests the doctor ordered and how they led to the diagnosis of ARDSBenefits of using a noninvasive cardiac output monitoring deviceSurprising findings during the patient’s endoscopyHow they treated the patientWhy aspiration pneumonia is a big issueWhat a bronchoscopy is and a nurse’s role during the procedureHow nurses can prevent patients from aspiratingConnect with Nurse Mo and listen to her show, Straight A Nursing Podcast!https://straightanursingstudent.com/https://www.instagram.com/straightanurse/If you would like to check out Sarah’s 1hr, 1 CE course, go to: http://www.rapidresponseandrescue.comTo get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST!This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique http://www.podcastboutique.com