Besides CPR what other situations/procedures require you to act fast..

..and think critically?

And what do you have to do step-by-step to resolve the problem?
Quote from okiedokie123..and think critically?And what do you have to do step-by-step to resolve the problem?

In my area:-Seizures (most common)-Increased ICP/Shunt Malfunctions/Impending herniation-Stroke-Respiratory distress-Sepsis-AnaphylaxisThere are more, but these are the most common that I deal with. In the past few shifts that I've worked, I've encountered the first 4, the first 2 more than once. As the previous poster said, it's not possible to give you a step-by-step guide because every situation is different and even patients with the same situation are different. How you react to one patient's seizure is not the same way that you react to his roommate's seizure.

Is this homework?

How about this one: your patient is unconscious. What do you do first? How do you figure out what is wrong, so you can act quickly before CPR might be needed?

Head trauma, after your resident stands up and face plants onto the floor.

The patient is in the process of falling, what do you do?

I would say nursing in itself requires critical thinking, no matter the situation. As for the intervention, start with the basics and check with the hospital's policies and protocols

Where I work, the most common emergency situations are CVA's and respiratory distress (for various reasons), and occasionally sepsis.The most important thing you can possibly do is USE your resources, and think outside of the box. Last night I had a patient who was troubling me. Decreased UOP, hypotension, O2 in the mid 80's at rest, nausea/hypoactive bowel sounds, and a symptomatic 12-beat run of VT. The only response I got from the resident on call was to give her a fluid bolus, she didn't even come see the patient. After I called RT for some better O2 delivery I walked myself to the CVICU that she came from the day before and presented my case. The NP there very kindly put in some orders for me and gave the resident a nudge to pay a little more attention to my patient.

Quote from Diffindo_lumosI would say nursing in itself requires critical thinking, no matter the situation. As for the intervention, start with the basics and check with the hospital's policies and protocols

spontaneous pneumo is one of my faves. then things like surprise exsanguination, inappropriate extubation, or violence.agree with tokmom: homework assignment? can you tell us how to respond to each of these? any?

Common ones where I work in surgery ICU:Respiratory distressdropping blood pressuresbleeding out, especially GI bleeddangerous heart rhythmscritically low or high electrolytesmajor agitation that can lead to injury/self-extubation on a ventilatorincreasing intracranial pressures

Violent patient that is escalating.