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Sarah Lorenzini

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Rapid Response RNRapid Response RN141: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Why Bigger is NOT Better!Often, the first symptom of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is sudden death. But sometimes, we get a warning— and that’s where clinical judgment at the bedside saves lives.Today, Sarah goes over the case of her patient Ben, a 20-year-old experiencing syncope and chest pain. As his condition quickly deteriorated, the team had to carefully manage the patient before reaching a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Hear what pointed them to this diagnosis, why some standard interventions can be dangerous in HCM cases, and the critical decisions made during his treatment.Listen now for a de...2025-07-1826 minLife After Nursing SchoolLife After Nursing School20: How to Handle Emergencies as a New Nurse with Sarah Lorenzini MSN, RNFeeling nervous about your first rapid response or code blue? You’re not alone—and you’re not unprepared. In this episode, Nurse Coach Caroline chats with Sarah Lorenzini, The Rapid Response RN, who brings 20+ years of critical care experience to help new nurses feel more confident in emergencies.Whether you’re still in nursing school or fresh on the floor, this episode is packed with real-world insight on how to recognize a crashing patient, what to do first during a code, and how to trust your nursing intuition—before the monitor alarms even go off.2025-06-1059 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN139: When the Obvious Isn't the Only Problem: Trauma Lessons with Nurse Gwenny RNDo you ever look back on a case and see the signs you missed? Wonder why you got stuck on the wrong thing and didn’t see the patient clearly? Nurse Gwenny is back on the show to share a case that highlights the dangers of making assumptions in trauma care.We discuss the subtle signs of the patient’s deterioration, why they were so easy to miss, and what we can learn from the case. You'll learn how anchoring bias can cloud your judgment, how to assess shock index, and which critical tool is underused in trau...2025-06-0652 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN137: In Flight Medical Emergencies with Alex PhD, EMT-PYou’re 30,000 feet in the air when you hear, “Is there a medical professional onboard?” Answering that call is a little more complicated than you might think.In this episode, Alexandra Jabr, PhD, EMT-P joins Sarah to discuss what happened during their first in-flight medical emergencies — what surprises came up, what resources they had, and how they responded with limited supplies. They share what they learned about caring for patients mid-flight, from the most common in-flight emergencies to the legal considerations of volunteering. Tune in to find out how you can prepare and respond if you ever hear tha...2025-05-0957 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN134: Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy With Guest Shenell RNOne minute she was the nurse—then she became the emergency. Today, Shenell RN of the All One Nurse podcast shares her story of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy that sent her into emergency surgery on shift — and the second ectopic pregnancy that followed just a year later.We talk through the symptoms she felt that day, how methotrexate treatment impacted her recovery, and the range of symptoms that can make it hard to tell what’s really going on. Shenell also opens up about the emotional toll of pregnancy loss, her journey to have her rainbow baby, and ho...2025-04-0441 minAll One NurseAll One NurseNavigating Rapid Response Nursing with Sarah Lorenzini, RapidResponseRNDid you know...   In this conversation, Sarah Lorenzini, a Rapid Response Nurse, shares her extensive journey in nursing. She begins with her early aspiration to become a doctor and describes her current role as a rapid response nurse and educator. Sarah emphasizes the importance of compassionate patient care, the challenges she faced in nursing school, and the significance of self-care to prevent burnout. She also highlights the proactive measures taken in rapid response nursing to prevent emergencies and discusses the creation of the Rapid Response Academy, which aims to educate and empower nurses worldwide.   During the discussion, Shenell Thompkins and Sa...2025-02-1856 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN131 REBOOT: TACO, TRALI, and All Things Blood Transfusion ReactionsWould you know how to identify a blood transfusion reaction? This is one of those nightmare cases because we just expect that when we give blood transfusion, the patient will get better… but what about when they get worse?In this reboot episode, host Sarah Lorenzini shares evidence-based research to shed some light and insight into this very rare, but potentially life threatening situation.In today’s episode, Sarah goes over a case study of one of a rapid response patient she dealt with where she discovered there was a blood transfusion reac...2025-02-0724 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN127: Status EpilepticusDo you feel confident recognizing status epilepticus? When a seizure doesn’t stop on its own, knowing the signs of this high-stakes emergency is the first step to preventing complications and even death. This episode breaks everything you need to know about status epilepticus — the warning signs, critical action steps, and the interventions that save lives.In this deep dive for Epilepsy Awareness Month, Sarah unpacks the role of nurses to take quick action and advocate for patients in status epilepticus. From what happens in the brain during prolonged seizures to proper use of benzodiazepines and anti-epileptic drug...2024-11-2219 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN126: Hurricane Relief Nursing with Brooke RNNo power, no water, no communication. How do healthcare teams provide care during disasters? In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini and Brooke MSN, RN, CCRN, NE-BC share their experiences working as disaster response nurses after the hurricanes in Asheville, NC and Tampa, FL.Get a glimpse into the challenges, collaboration, and determination that define hurricane relief nursing, as well as the unity and resilience shown by patients and communities in recovery. Listen to learn about the realities of crisis care, from deployment to being an effective nurse leader in a chaotic environment!...2024-11-0138 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN125: COPD and Oxygen Delivery ModalitiesYou never forget your most embarrassing nursing moment — especially when it happens in the middle of a critical situation. In this episode, Sarah recounts an unforgettable, cringe-worthy blunder during a rapid response call for a COPD patient in respiratory distress. Discover how she managed the patient’s COPD exacerbation and advocated for the patient’s care despite a lack of urgency from some on the medical team.Sarah also dives into the pathophysiology of COPD and intervention strategies, evaluating the pros and cons of the various oxygen delivery modalities like non-rebreather masks and BiPAP. Curious how an awkwar...2024-10-2136 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN124: ETOH WithdrawalCaring for patients withdrawing from alcohol can be challenging to say the least. In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini shares a case of a patient recovering from emergency surgery, and highlights the subtle but critical signs of alcohol withdrawal—like anxiety, tremors, confusion, tachycardia, and hypertension—that often go unrecognized until symptoms escalate.Key topics covered in this episode include:The pathophysiology of alcohol withdrawal, focusing on how chronic alcohol use disrupts the balance between the brain’s inhibitory GABA and excitatory glutamate neurotransmitter systems.A detailed timeline of alcohol withdrawal symptoms, from early signs (6-12 hours...2024-10-1124 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN123: What Makes for a Great Resuscitationist?Bringing calm to chaos is an underrated skill in medicine. During her talk at the ResusX Conference, Sarah explored this concept and the importance of guiding teams through high-stress situations. In today’s episode, you’ll hear what happened when Sarah responded to a bloody code blue that ended in tears and defeat. This patient story is a prime example of why being a great resuscitationist requires more than clinical skills, and how leadership and communication can make or break a team’s performance under pressure.So, what makes for a great resuscitationist? Tune in as Sarah breaks...2024-09-2719 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN122: What is POTS and When Is It an Emergency? With Guest Dr. Alexis CutchinsBehind every POTS diagnosis is a patient who had to fight for answers. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms mimic so many other conditions. In fact, it is often dismissed as “just anxiety”, but anxiety is a secondary side effect of the fact that the patient keeps having syncopal episodes without explanation.To dig deeper into its diagnosis and treatment challenges, Sarah turned to Dr. Alexis Cutchins, cardiologist and co-author of a key article on the management of POTS. In this episode, Dr. Cutchins breaks down the symptoms, possible causes and contributing fact...2024-09-2029 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN118: Cardiac Tamponade With Brian McCainThis week, we are talking about every cardiac nurse’s worst nightmare: cardiac tamponade. Host Sarah Lorenzini is joined by Brian McCain RN to share a crazy case of cardiac tamponade where quick intervention made all the difference. In this episode, they discuss the critical signs, symptoms and pathophysiology of cardiac tamponade.Brian and Sarah cover clinical findings like Beck’s triad and dampened arterial line waveforms, assessment techniques for patients who rapidly decline versus those with a gradual buildup of symptoms, and the nurse’s role in preparing patients for an open arrest.T...2024-08-2335 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN117: Pericarditis vs Myocardial InfarctionA patient arrives at the ER, complaining of chest pain that dramatically worsens when she lies down. What could this clue reveal about her condition? In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini recounts her experience caring for her first pericarditis patient and the subtle yet critical signs that distinguish it from more common cardiac emergencies.Sarah dives into the tricky nature of chest pain, sharing how the PQRST pain assessment and an EKG played a critical role in uncovering the patient’s condition. She also outlines the diagnostic criteria that help differentiate pericarditis from more serious conditions like my...2024-08-1626 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN115: Pediatric Empyema With Erik and Nykole, Critical Care Transport NursesThis week's case study features a 5-week trauma injury, a critical care transport, and a pediatric patient with a surprise sepsis diagnosis. Critical Care Transport Nurses Erik and Nykole join host Sarah Lorenzini to discuss the complexities of managing a young patient with an unexpected empyema.In this episode, you’ll hear Erik's initial assessment of the patient, how the diagnosis of empyema was ultimately reached, and the actions taken to keep the patient stabilized during transport. They cover important topics like fluid overload in pediatric patients, re-expansion pulmonary edema, and therapeutic presence....2024-07-2645 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN114: Serotonin SyndromeThis mystery case kept everyone guessing, and now it’s time to reveal Mr. James’ surprising diagnosis: serotonin syndrome! But how did he end up with this rare condition? In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini reviews Mr. James’ case, explains what led him to develop serotonin syndrome, and the signs that pointed to this diagnosis.If you were stumped by this case, don’t sweat it! Serotonin syndrome is hard to diagnose, but Sarah breaks down its pathophysiology and shares effective treatment methods. Discover key factors that contribute to serotonin syndrome, such as serotonergic medications, and the myriad o...2024-07-1919 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN113: How to be the BEST Nursing Preceptor EVER!Awesome nurses don’t always make great preceptors. So what does it take to nurture new talent into capable and confident professionals? This episode delves into fundamental qualities, mindset and teaching strategies necessary to excel in the role of a preceptor.Host Sarah Lorenzini reflects on her experiences with both good and bad preceptors, sharing insights on how to create a supportive and empowering learning environment that encourages independence. From setting expectations and goals to dealing with difficult trainees, she outlines proven methods to help nurses become an effective mentor. You’ll learn techniques for providing constructive crit...2024-07-1239 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN112: Heat Stroke vs Heat ExhaustionThe summer heat brings fun in the sun, relaxing days, and even the threat of heat stroke. In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini explores the spectrum of heat-related illnesses, highlighting the crucial differences between heat stroke and heat exhaustion. She recounts an emergency case of a young man with all the classic symptoms of heat stroke — and the highest temperature of any patient she’s ever seen.Sarah delves into the complications that can arise from heat stroke and effective treatment protocols for cooling down patients. You’ll learn about the factors that increase the risk of heat s...2024-07-0518 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN111: Liver Failure Part 4: Hepatic Encephalopathy vs Alcohol WithdrawalWhen the diseased liver is unable to filter out neurotoxins like ammonia, we can see a spectrum of the neuropsychiatric symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy.  For the final installment in our liver failure series, host Sarah Lorenzini highlights a complicated case of hepatic encephalopathy where critical thinking and interdisciplinary teamwork were key to preventing further complications.She examines the common signs and symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy, factors that trigger or exacerbate the condition, and challenges nurses face in the diagnostic process. This episode also dives into treatment strategies and how to differentiate between hepatic encephalopathy and alcohol withdrawal.2024-06-2827 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN110: Liver Failure Part 3: Hepatorenal SyndromeManaging liver failure often means walking a tightrope with kidney function. This episode explores what happens when the kidneys begin to fail due to liver disease, a condition known as hepatorenal syndrome. Host Sarah Lorenzini sheds light on this common but severe complication of cirrhosis, sharing a critical case that exemplifies the challenges of diagnosing and treating hepatorenal syndrome.Tune in to gain a better understanding of the pathophysiology of hepatorenal syndrome, the importance of early intervention, and effective treatment strategies. Listen to part three of this liver failure series now!Topics...2024-06-2117 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN109: Liver Failure Part 2: Esophageal VaricesA cirrhosis patient has stable vitals, but then starts vomiting blood. What do you do next? This episode delves into a case study that highlights the urgent management of esophageal varices in liver failure patients. Host Sarah Lorenzini reveals how a rapid response call quickly spiraled into a life-threatening emergency, and the critical steps taken to stabilize the patient.Sarah explains the pathophysiology of cirrhosis and the development of esophageal varices, detailing the pharmacological and procedural interventions that can make the difference between life and death. You’ll get a comprehensive overview of evidence-based treatment strategies, how to...2024-06-1425 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN108: Liver Failure Part 1: Spontaneous Bacterial PeritonitisNo matter your specialty, every nurse cares for patients with liver failure. Host Sarah Lorenzini starts off this four-part series on liver failure by sharing the story of a rapid response call that featured classic complications of cirrhosis: ascites, jaundice, and hypotension. Exacerbating the patient’s terminal condition was a suspected diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.In this episode, Sarah details how her team managed this case and breaks down the pathophysiology of cirrhosis, including why liver failure leads to so many complications. She covers how to assess and care for patients with cirrhosis, emphasizing the important ro...2024-06-0724 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN107: Nurse Stories From NTI 2024NTI 2024 brought together critical care nurses from across the country, and this episode highlights over 10 of their most heartwarming and unforgettable stories. Host Sarah Lorenzini speaks to ICU nurses and nurse educators who share tales of human connection, critical thinking, and compassionate care. From navigating crazy shifts to creating new patient programs, their stories showcase the incredible impact nurses have on patients’ lives and the healthcare system.Tune in to celebrate the dedication, empathy, and resiliency of today's nurses!Connect with Maddi Flanagan:https://www.instagram.com/nu...2024-05-3144 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN106: Are Nursing Care Plans an Absolute Waste of Time? With Flight Nurse and Educator Nurse GwennyNursing care plans are the bane of many a nursing student’s academic experience. They are seen as an unnecessary burden to their already heavy workload. But they play an important role in the nursing process, and nurses put these plans into clinical practice every day — whether they realize it or not.In this episode, Nurse Gwenny, an ER and flight nurse turned EMS educator, speaks with host Sarah Lorenzini about the relevancy and value of nursing care plans. She shares real-life examples of the impact these plans have on critical care thinking and decision-making, especially in high...2024-05-2446 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN105: So You Want to Go Back to School Part 2 With Guest Nurse Educator Patrick McMurrayNursing educators may not hold the most glamorous position, but they are undoubtedly the backbone of the profession. Nurse Educator Patrick McMurray exemplifies this by bringing creativity and inclusivity into nursing education, supporting nurses at every stage of their career.In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini talks to Patrick about his approach to teaching complex concepts and preparing students to succeed beyond the classroom. Using interactive learning strategies and holistic methods, Patrick helps nurses deepen their understanding of nursing practices and effectively apply their knowledge in clinical settings.Patrick also offers a...2024-05-1747 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN104: Obstructive Shock With Guests Bryan Boling and Brandon Oto From the Critical Care Scenarios PodcastObstructive shock may be the least common type of shock, but it’s no less critical. As part of Nurse PodCrawl 2024, Bryan Boling and Brandon Oto from the Critical Care Scenarios podcast join host Sarah Lorenzini in this episode to talk about the critical care management of obstructive shock. Together, they walk nurses through a patient scenario, detailing the diagnostic process of obstructive shock due to pulmonary embolism.Sarah, Bryan and Brandon review the three main causes of obstructive shock: pulmonary embolism, tension pneumothorax, and cardiac tamponade. They also discuss the importance of clinical assessments and diagnostic to...2024-05-1053 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN103: Should Families Be Allowed to be Present During Resuscitation?Which side of the debate do you fall on?  Should families be present during resuscitation or escorted to a quiet area to wait? Among those advocating for family presence are nursing researchers, Margo Halm, APRN-BC, PhD, FAHA, NEA-BC and Jessica Sexton, MSN, RN, CPEN. During their conversation with host Sarah Lorenzini, they explain why family presence is so important in patient-centered care and how nurses can facilitate a shift towards embracing this practice in their hospital.Despite being backed by research, the concept of family presence during resuscitation is still debated by many healthcare professionals. Margo and J...2024-05-0347 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN102: SIADH vs DI With Guest Nick McGowan RN, MSNWe’ve talked about hyponatremia, but what do you know about Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone secretion (SIADH) and Diabetes Insipidus (DI)? In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini and Nick McGowan RN, MSN dive into these diseases that develop from complex hormonal responses that manage the body’s water and sodium.They explore the pathophysiology of both conditions, contrasting the excessive water retention in SIADH with the excessive water loss in DI and how this impacts diagnostic and treatment approaches. Nick identifies which labs and assessments are crucial to accurately diagnose and treat patients, highlighting the importance of n...2024-04-2640 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN101: So You Wanna Go Back to School Part 1: Nurse Practitioner With Guest Dr. Sandra Pagenta DNPAre you considering a career as a nurse practitioner? Do you want to go back to school to transition into an advanced practice nursing role? Join host Sarah Lorenzini and guest Dr. Sandra Pagenta, DNP, as they discuss opportunities available in nursing and how to decide if the nurse practitioner path is the right one for you.Dr. Sandra Pagenta reflects on the evolution of her nursing career, from her early days as an RN to her current role as a nurse practitioner. She dives into the challenges and rewards of advancing your education and career, finding...2024-04-1940 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN100: How to Still Love Being a Nurse After 20 Years in the ProfessionEvery day that you complete a shift is a day to celebrate because nursing is undoubtedly one of the hardest professions in the world, especially in the last few years. Burnout rates are extremely high, and for good reason, but there are ways to keep your passion for nursing even after decades in the field.In this milestone 100th episode of Rapid Response RN, host Sarah Lorenzini celebrates 20 years of being a nurse and *still* loving it. It hasn’t been easy, but two decades of continuous learning and navigating the challenges of the job has taught he...2024-04-1225 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN99: Hyponatremia: How Did It Happen and Why Is It So Challenging To Treat?Treating hyponatremia, a condition characterized by low sodium levels in the blood, can be both complicated and quite risky.. Disruptions to the delicate balance of sodium in the body can lead to a spectrum of outcomes, from an asymptomatic presentation to life-threatening seizures, coma, and death.Through the patient story of Mrs. Saltman, host Sarah Lorenzini explains the role of sodium in the body, breaking down the science of osmosis and electrolytes so nurses can better understand the causes of hyponatremia. She goes over the three levels of hyponatremia that are categorized by blood tonicity and volume...2024-04-0523 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN98: "Broken Heart Syndrome" aka Takotsubo CardiomyopathyTakotsubo cardiomyopathy, also known as “broken heart syndrome,” is hard to diagnose because its symptoms mimic more common conditions like acute coronary syndrome. This stress-induced cardiomyopathy presents a mysterious challenge to nurses, as you’ll hear in today’s patient story.Host Sarah Lorenzini shares the case of a patient who went from experiencing shortness of breath and nausea to a serious cardiac emergency. She breaks down the patient’s initial presentation, their quick decline featuring hypoxia and flash pulmonary edema, and ultimate diagnosis of takotsubo cardiomyopathy.In this episode, Sarah dives into the pathophysiology of takotsu...2024-03-2922 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN97: Status Asthmaticus Part 2: Strategies to Manage the Crashing AsthmaticPart two of our crashing asthmatic series continues with a comprehensive look into what exactly happened in last week’s nightmare patient case. Host Sarah Lorenzini dives into the pathophysiology of status asthmaticus, explaining the physiological changes in the airways during severe asthma attacks and what makes these cases resistant to standard treatment. She also breaks down treat options for patients approaching the asthma spiral of death, from pharmacological interventions to last-resort interventions like ECMO.This episode highlights the key role of nurses in the care of status asthmaticus, including the importance of...2024-03-2228 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN96: Nightmare Case: The Young Crashing Asthmatic Patient With Guest Brooklyn RNSevere asthma leads to cardiac arrest in today’s gripping patient story. Brooklyn, an ER Nurse joins host Sarah Lorenzini to discuss a nightmare case of a young asthmatic patient and her team’s desperate fight to stabilize him.Despite various interventions, from albuterol, magnesium, BiPap, ketamine, and more, the patient's condition deteriorated, requiring intubation and ultimately transfer to an ECMO center to save the patient’s life. This episode highlights the challenges faced by smaller hospitals with fewer resources and the heroic care this patient received despite so many challenges.Check out pa...2024-03-1533 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN95: "That's a Weird Blood Pressure!": Recognizing and Interpreting Wide and Narrow Pulse PressuresDo you know how to recognize a wide or narrow pulse pressure and what each finding tells you about your patient? Following last week's discussion on the shock index, host Sarah Lorenzini introduces pulse pressure as another essential tool in the nurse's assessment arsenal.In this episode, Sarah outlines how to measure and interpret pulse pressure. She shares two patient stories to illustrate how variations in pulse pressure can indicate different underlying conditions: The case study of Mrs. D highlights the implications of narrow pulse pressure, and the case study of Mr. S explores wide pulse pressure.2024-03-0818 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN94: How Valuable is the Shock Index?Looking at HR or Blood Pressure alone as determinants of how stable the patient is can lead us astray.  The Shock Index allows us to detect when patients are declining… while they are still compensating. Shock Index = HR/SBP… but how can we use this tool? A patient’s vital signs can appear normal, meanwhile they’re on the brink of shock. This was exactly the case of Mr. Fields, a patient admitted to the ER after falling off his tractor. Initially, his vitals didn't raise alarms but there were signs pointing to a more serious situation — including a...2024-03-0114 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN93: What the Heck is BRASH Syndrome?Are you familiar with BRASH syndrome? The complex interplay of Bradycardia, Renal Failure, Atrioventricular Block, Shock, and Hyperkalemia forms a collection of clinical signs known as BRASH syndrome. One condition leads to another which leads to another, heightening the severity of symptoms. Fortunately, it’s easy to manage if you know what you are treating.In this episode, Sarah Lorenzini breaks down the pathophysiology of BRASH syndrome as she examines a patient case study. Starting with its hallmark features and expanding into the synergistic effects of AV nodal blockers, hyperkalemia and renal failure, she provides insights on re...2024-02-2320 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN92: How to Rock Your Next Stroke Alert With Guest Dr. Eric Wilson RN, AGNP-C, DNP, NREMT-PTiming is everything when it comes to strokes because every second without treatment impacts patient outcomes. If you’ve ever wasted time debating whether or not to call a stroke alert, you don’t want to miss this episode with Dr. Eric Wilson RN, AGNP-C, DNP, NREMT-P!During his conversation with host Sarah Lorenzini, Eric emphasizes the urgency of recognizing stroke symptoms early, highlighting unilateral deficits and speech issues as red flags for immediate action. He guides listeners through the assessment of patients using the NIH Stroke Scale, and dives into treatment options and diagnostic procedures.2024-02-1627 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN91: Vasopressors and Inotropes 101Cardiac output equals heart rate times stroke volume… but what does that really mean and how does it apply to the bedside? This formula (CO = HR x SV) is crucial for nurses to understand in the application of vasopressors and inotropes, so why is it so difficult to memorize their role in improving cardiac output?This episode is dedicated to breaking down these life-saving medications so you can not only memorize their expected effect on vital signs, but more importantly, understand how they work in the body. Host Sarah Lorenzini provides a comprehensive lesson in these three cl...2024-02-0914 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN90: RhabdomyolysisDid you listen to Joey’s story in last week’s mystery episode? If you did and guessed rhabdomyolysis as his diagnosis, congratulations! Joey’s muscle injury from playing a little too hard at football camp resulted in a release of muscle proteins that ultimately caused his kidneys to shut down, which led to his diagnosis and treatment for rhabdomyolysis.In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini examines the complexities of the condition, from its pathophysiology to causes and treatment options. You’ll learn the hallmark signs of rhabdomyolysis, the not so obvious signs and symptoms to be aware of...2024-02-0216 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN89: MYSTERY EPISODE... What's Wrong With Joey?Are you ready for some diagnosing fun?! In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini will challenge your diagnostic skills with the mystery case of Joey, a 14-year-old patient who went from playing football at summer camp to being intubated in the ER.Joey presented with an altered mental status, and was tachycardic, tachypneic and febrile. Once in the ER, he went into ventricular tachycardia, his blood pressure dropped significantly, and he required intubation. As Sarah shares more details on his presentation, labs results and medical history, you’ll get all the critical clues needed to solve this intriguing ca...2024-01-2607 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN88: Autonomic Dysreflexia: The Who, What, Why, and How to Treat This Perplexing DiagnosisAs host Sarah Lorenzini insightfully explains, “think of autonomic dysreflexia symptoms as the body's way of telling you something is wrong.” Autonomic dysreflexia is a medical emergency that occurs in patients with a spinal cord injury, but it can be hard to recognize because of the body’s confusing responses to stimulation. That’s why it’s crucial for nurses to understand this syndrome and prevent patients from developing any life-threatening complications.In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini gives listeners an inside look at a case of autonomic dysreflexia in a quadriplegic patient. She breaks down the patient’s...2024-01-1915 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN87: Navigating Goals of Care Discussions With Guest, Hospice Nurse AJGoals of care discussions are among the most difficult to navigate as a nurse, BUT there are ways to provide both comfort and clarity to patients and their families in these emotionally charged situations.In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini and Hospice Nurse AJ share tips and insights on how to approach these challenging discussions with sensitivity and respect, all while keeping patient’s wishes at the forefront of treatment. From how to start the conversation to addressing concerns, they cover strategies for approaching family members in person or on the phone.Th...2024-01-1232 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN86: Making the Transition to the ICU With Guest Sarah VanceOrienting as a new Nurse in the ICU is much like climbing your first big mountain — both require basic knowledge, passion, and the ability to learn quickly and adapt in a demanding environment. But without these attributes, you have an arduous, possibly insurmountable journey ahead of you.In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini and Sarah Vance RN delve into the controversial topic of new grads going straight into the ICU after graduation, exploring the challenges and opportunities it presents for new nurses. They discuss the essential skills and mindset needed to thrive in such an intense setting, em...2024-01-0525 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN85: Just a Spoonful of Sugar Helps Your Patient's Prolapsed Rectum Go DownWhat’s your craziest, most shocking nursing story? In this episode, you’ll hear one of host Sarah Lorenzini’s most memorable stories as a rapid response nurse!Sarah recounts her experience treating a severe case of a prolapsed rectum, describing the unconventional yet effective approach that not only resolved the medical dilemma but caught the attention of Rapid Response RN listeners, becoming the most shared episode of the podcast!As Sarah delves into this case of rectal prolapse, she explains the science behind using sugar as treatment and important lessons learned from h...2023-12-2923 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN84: Urology Tips, Tricks, and Hacks... and When it's Time to Call the Urologist With Guest Dr. Shailen SehgalForeign objects in the bladder, urinary retention, priapism. These are just a few of the urological emergencies host Sarah Lorenzini is discussing with Dr. Shailen Sehgal!Nurses are the first line of defense in treating emergencies and play an important role in managing their care. In this episode, Dr. Shailen Sehgal explores these emergencies and shares great tips and tricks to treat conditions like testicular torsion, assess for hematuria, and troubleshoot catheter insertions, bladder spasms, and more.Sarah’s conversation with Dr. Shailen Sehgal highlights the pivotal role of nurses in treating ur...2023-12-2231 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN83: How to Manage Snake Bites as a Nurse and as a Patient With Guest Sealy RNSnake bite care: where the cost and long-term complications can sting harder than the bite.Managing snake bites requires quick intervention, making it crucial for nurses to understand how to navigate this type of emergency. So in this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini welcomes Sealy RN to share her firsthand experience of being bitten. As a nurse who has also treated snake bites, she has great insights on the challenges of snake bite care.Sarah and Sealy discuss the use of antivenom, specifically the short and long-term risks of CroFab, what can happen if a snake...2023-12-1523 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN82: Sympathetic Crashing Acute Pulmonary Edema: That Time My Patient Went From Stable A-Fib RVR to Intubated in 30 Minutes!How does AFib RVR escalate into a life-threatening situation in just 30 minutes?Join host Sarah Lorenzini as she reflects on a perplexing case of sympathetic crashing acute pulmonary edema, also known as flash pulmonary edema. This patient’s rapid deterioration led to an emergency intubation that perplexed the rapid response team, but the patient's true condition became clear in hindsight.In this episode, Sarah walks us through the case, sharing the patient's presentation and medical history, how the team treated his symptoms, and why their initial interventions failed. She delves into the pa...2023-12-0819 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN81: Mechanical Circulatory Support for Cardiogenic Shock With Guest Christian Guzman, APRNHost Sarah Lorenzini and Christian Guzman APRN are back to conclude this three-part heart failure series by examining the use of mechanical circulatory support for cardiogenic shock. This episode expands on the topics covered in previous parts, focusing on the application of mechanical circulatory support methods like the intra-aortic balloon pump, Impella, CentriMag, LVADs, and ECMO.Christian and Sarah review the risks and benefits of each device, when to use them, and the key factors that impact these decisions. They also address the ethical challenges of ECMO, including the clinical judgment involved when determining who’s a go...2023-12-0139 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN80: Medical Management of Cardiogenic Shock With Guest Christian Guzman APRNBuilding on last week’s introduction to heart failure, this episode explores the nuances in the medical management of cardiogenic shock. Host Sarah Lorenzini and Christian Guzman APRN continue this three-part heart failure series by completing the case study of a patient in cardiogenic shock, and breaking down key treatment concepts and strategies.They discuss goal-directed therapy to optimize heart function, with a specific focus on the vital aspects of contractility, afterload, and preload, and their pivotal roles in patient care. As their conversation progresses, they delve into the use of medical interventions, covering the pros and co...2023-11-2434 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN79: Heart Failure 101 with Guest Christian Guzman APRNDuring a normal day gardening, an active woman in her 60s was suddenly struck with chest tightness. Thinking it was just an asthma attack, she tried to let the pain pass. What she didn’t realize was that she was having a full blown myocardial infarction, and this was only the beginning of her journey.In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini is joined by her friend, Christian Guzman APRN, to discuss this patient story and the pathophysiology of heart failure. As they go through this case study, Christian provides a comprehensive breakdown of the types of heart fa...2023-11-1744 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN78: Healthy vs Hostile: Recognizing the Nursing Red Flags and Green Flags of a Work EnvironmentHave you ever started a new and promising job, only to discover that it wasn’t the nurturing and supportive space you thought it was? In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini, armed with nearly two decades of nursing experience in various departments and leadership roles, provides a guideline to spotting the red and green flags that can signal a healthy or hostile workplace.Sarah explores what makes a healthy work environment, beyond reputation and first impressions, as she does a deep dive into the American Association of Critical Care Nurses' (AACN) six pillars of a healthy work en...2023-11-1020 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN77: THE TRAUMA DIAMOND OF DEATH: 4 Treatment Priorities in Trauma Care With Guest Sarah VanceYou may already be familiar with the trauma triad… but in this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini is once again joined by her friend and critical care nurse and educator, Sarah Vance to break down a 4th component to trauma resuscitation. Last week, they discussed the treatment of a trauma patient with neuro and respiratory injuries, but today they’re getting into the “blood and guts” of trauma cases as Sarah Vance RN walks us through a multiple gunshot wound case study. Similar to last week’s patient, this case study highlights how the body’s systems all work together, and sometime...2023-11-0323 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN76: Trauma Breakdown: Beyond the Blood and Guts... A Complicated Case Study with Guest Sarah Vance RNIf you hear “trauma” and immediately think of blood and guts, this episode with host Sarah Lorenzini’s friend, critical care nurse and educator Sarah Vance, will show you that there’s so much more to trauma cases. Because even localized injuries can affect the whole body, and issues can pile up and require conflicting treatments. That’s why trauma cases require an advanced level of assessment and critical thinking skills.During this episode, Sarah Vance RN tells the story of a patient who was admitted with a brain bleed, orthopedic, and cervical injuries after a motorcycle accident...2023-10-2736 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN75: Rigors and Other Super Scary Chemotherapy Reactions With Guest Montana, Rapid Response RNEvery nurse knows the havoc chemotherapy wreaks on the body, but most nurses aren’t as knowledgeable on how to treat chemo reactions as, say, chemo or oncology nurses. Even host Sarah Lorenzini is slightly intimidated by unpredictable reactions from chemotherapy! That’s why this episode is centered around those super scary chemotherapy reactions and how to treat them.To help us dive further into this topic, Sarah is speaking with another rapid response nurse, Montana RN. He has a dramatic patient story to share about rigors, a chemotherapy reaction that occurs as the body is trying to m...2023-10-2029 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN74: Pediatric Basilar Skull Fracture With Guest Casey BSN, RN, CCRN-CMC, CFRN, CTRN, CEN, TCRN, CPEN, CNRN, NRPIn this episode of Rapid Response RN, host Sarah Lorenzini is joined by Casey BSN, RN, CCRN-CMC, CFRN, CTRN, CEN, TCRN, CPEN, CNRN, NRP. And yes, you read her title right — Casey has a whopping eight certifications and is one of the few nurses with ALL five BCEN certifications. And she’s using her knowledge and skills to advocate for her patients and teach others.Today, Casey tells the story of a patient who came into the ER after a fall and was later diagnosed with a basilar skull fracture. Complicating the case even more is that the...2023-10-1334 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN73: Resuscitate Before You Intubate: How to NOT KILL YOUR PATIENT When You IntubateIntubation is a life-saving intervention, but it can also kill your patient! That’s why this follow-up episode to last week’s patient story is covering the process of intubation, what can go wrong and how nurses can mitigate risk factors to avoid bad outcomes like cardiac arrest.In part two of this intubation series, host Sarah Lorenzini details proper intubation preparation and the role of nurses during intubation. She walks through the entire process from assembling a team to what supplies and medications you need, and how to use them so that you reduce harm to the...2023-10-0634 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN72: How Do You Know When it's Time to Intubate?Patients get intubated in every department of the hospital… not just the ICU.  So it’s important that every nurse know the signs and symptoms of when it’s time to intubate.Our host Sarah Lorenzini, has been asked the same type of questions about intubation multiple times this week, so we felt it was necessary to address them. Sarah’s extensive knowledge and experience in critical care and rapid response situations has prepared her to be able to provide expertise and insights on this topic, which she wants to share with all of you today!In this...2023-09-2915 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN71: Recognition and Treatment of Septic Shock With Guest Yesha APRNSeptember is Sepsis Awareness Month, so host Sarah Lorenzini is throwing it back to one of the earliest Rapid Response RN podcast episodes with guest Yesha APRN. This episode tells the story of a patient with sepsis, and it’s one of Sarah’s favorite episodes because it exemplifies all of the classic signs and symptoms of sepsis as well as the important role the nurse plays in caring for septic patients.Last week, you learned about fluid resuscitation and the potential harm of fluid overload in the treatment of sepsis. In this episode, you’ll hear how Sa...2023-09-2239 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN70: Stop Guessing When Fluid Resuscitating With Guest Corinne RN From FloPatchOften when a patient’s blood pressure has dropped, we administer fluids without truly knowing the exact reason for the change. Does the patient have low volume, were they vasodilating, or is their heart not squeezing effectively? Fluid resuscitation is not always the answer, but there’s no clear guideline to assess patients without advanced tools that take time and specialists. Enter the FloPatch from Flosonics, an innovative device that quickly measures blood flow in real time.Fluids can cause damage when given in excess, so it’s crucial for nurses to understand why blood pressure isn’t an ade...2023-09-1537 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN69: Diuretic Induced Metabolic Alkalosis with Guest Annie RNWe often are looking for an acidosis when patients present with lethargy but what about when it’s an alkalosis!? In last week’s episode with Annie Fulton RN of the “Up My Nursing Game” podcast, she and host Sarah Lorenzini presented a patient story but left the diagnosis a mystery.  You heard why Annie’s patient was admitted and her initial assessment, what caused her to think something more was going on, and why she ruled out sepsis as a diagnosis. Now, find out what her diagnosis was and how she was treated! Hint: today, we’re talking all about diu...2023-09-0827 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN68: MYSTERY EPISODE With Guest Annie Fulton RNCan you guess what was causing this patient’s unexpected symptoms?This episode is a little different from the rest, thanks to you, our listeners, for submitting your suggestions and ideas for how these episodes should go, because we are all ears!One of our listeners suggested we do a mystery episode (thanks Shannon!), and we thought it was brilliant! So, on today’s episode, our host Sarah Lorenzini invites back, podcast host of Up My Nursing Game, registered nurse, friend, and former Rapid Response RN Podcast guest, Annie Fulton, to unravel a patient case stud...2023-09-0114 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN67: Battling Nursing Burnout: Interview with Nurse Burnout Coach Janna Holterman Part 2“If you look for the bad, you’ll always find it. If you look for the good, you’ll always find it.” - Sarah’s grandmotherIn the second part of our two part series on nursing burnout, our host Sarah Lorenzini continues her conversation with Nurse Burnout Coach Janna Holterman, where they discuss how to reframe your mindset as a nurse to deal with burnout.We go to nursing school because we want to help people who are suffering and provide care on a heart centered level, not just by fulfilling tasks and making sure patie...2023-08-2517 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN66: Who is Advocating For You? Interview with Nurse Burnout Coach Janna Holterman Part 1Nurses are trained to put their patients first, and that oftentimes results in forgoing their own needs. Skipping out on fundamental needs like sleeping and eating healthy meals lead nurses to feel emotionally and physically exhausted, eventually leading to burnout and loss of love for the job.Nurses spend so much time advocating for patients but forget that it’s equally as important to advocate for themselves. As today’s guest will remind you, “what you resist persists.” Even if you have the ability to push your own needs to the side, they will always catch up with you...2023-08-1827 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN65: Benzodiazepine Withdrawal: Severe Symptoms That Make Coming Off Benzos So DifficultWelcome to part two of our series on benzodiazepines where we will be discussing the other side of benzodiazepines: the challenges of withdrawal.As healthcare providers, you are taught that benzodiazepines are in fact safe, but our host Sarah Lorenzini wants to offer a different perspective. Do we really need to be administering benzodiazepines as freely as we are taught in school? Of course for life or death situations it is a no brainer, but what about those moments when your patient is just anxious and can’t calm down?  Are there other ways to calm your pat...2023-08-1512 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN64: Benzodiazepine Overdose: Recognition and Treatment When It's an EmergencyIn part one of the two part series on benzodiazepines, our host Sarah Lorenzini presents us with a case study about how she treated a benzodiazepine overdose during her time working as an ER Nurse. She walks us through the state her patient was in when she arrived at the hospital and the steps she took when assessing the patient and how to treat her, as well as her thought process along the way.Benzodiazepine overdoses are a little tricky. All the pieces of the puzzle matter, so having good detective skills and asking the right questions...2023-08-0411 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN63: The Science and Heart of Organ Donation: An Exclusive Interview With Sean, an Organ Procurement NurseOne facet of nursing that we don’t learn much about in nursing school is organ donation. It’s such a rewarding experience to help give a person back their life, as you’ll hear from our host and today’s guest.In this episode, Sarah is speaking with Nurse Sean, organ procurement nurse and host of the “Nurse Dose Podcast.” He goes over the process of organ donation from start to finish, including procuring organs from a patient who is brain dead and also from donors after cardiac death (DCD).  Together they discuss the procedures that optimize orga...2023-07-2943 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN62: Resuscitation Leadership: Beyond the ABCs of CODE BLUE“Leadership is not a title. Leadership is influence.”Our host Sarah Lorenzini wants to highlight a question that nurses are regularly asking her to answer on the Rapid Response Podcast: how can we be better leaders during resuscitation where a fast coordinated effort is necessary?Knowing your place as a leader, knowing how to delegate and communicate, as well as having the ability to channel your inevitable fight or flight response into peak performance, may feel daunting to a lot of nurses, especially those just starting out. However, you don’t necessarily need years of experi...2023-07-2117 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN61: Infective Endocarditis Part 2: Understanding Valvular Damage, Embolic Sequelae, and Clinical ManifestationsLast week, Sarah shared the story of a patient who was finally diagnosed with infective endocarditis after presenting with several symptoms, including fever, tachypnea, chest pain, hypotension and more. In this episode, she’ll further explain how the patient was diagnosed and the pathophysiology of this type of infection.Sarah goes over how septic emboli form, and the clinical manifestations that result when they travel in the body as well as the risks and signs of valvular damage to look out for when you’ve diagnosed infective endocarditis.You’ll also learn the areas of the bo...2023-07-1419 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN60: Infective Endocarditis: From Invasion to DestructionIn part one of this two part series, our host Sarah Lorenzini shares a story about a patient she was called to see who was under the care of nurse Clayton, a trusted colleague and previous Rapid Response Podcast guest, after he saw a drop in the patient’s blood pressure and had a gut feeling something wasn’t right. Sarah walks us through her assessment and how the team came to the conclusion that this patient had infective endocarditis.In part two of this series, Sarah will elaborate on this case by explaining how bact...2023-07-0711 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN59: Re-Release"Air Don't Go There!" Air Embolism to the Brain With Guest Marissa, Rapid Response RNOur nursing professors cautioned us about the risk of not using proper technique when removing central lines, their warnings sometimes seeming dramatic and unlikely. That’s why this previously released interview with Nurse Marissa is such an important story, because sometimes those rare cases DO happen!In this episode, Marissa tells the story of a patient that was admitted for her mental status, lethargy and hyperkalemia. She seemed to improve but then became unresponsive, and the rapid response team was called. What followed was the surprising discovery of air in her brain, and a probe into how it...2023-06-2323 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN58: Narcotic Overdose: The Nurse's Vital Role In Initial Stabilization and ManagementWhen we speak about narcotic overdoses, the first thing we think about is the administration of Narcan or Naloxone. However, our host Sarah Lorenzini shares how that shouldn’t always be the first thing we reach for.Sarah wants to share why Narcan is her absolute last resort, and why she tries to avoid administering it at all cost. Narcan, or Naloxone, is used to counteract the effects of opioids in the system and while it may help the patient breathe faster, it also blocks the effects of the narcotic that was managing their pain.  In some cas...2023-06-1616 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN57: What to Expect When Your Patient is Dying with Hospice Nurse HadleyNurses are trained to treat and save lives, but hospice nurses focus on a different set of skills. As host Sarah says in this episode as she speaks with Hadley Vlahos, RN, “fixing isn’t the only great thing we can do as nurses.”In this episode and her new book, The In-Between, Hadley shares what it’s like to care for patients that are dying and what she’s learned from their end of life wisdom. She offers insight into what to expect as a patient is passing, what type of vernacular to use with grieving families...2023-06-0934 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN56: Recap, Top Pearls, and Reflections from the NTI 2023 ConferenceThe American Association of Critical Care Nurses hosts an annual conference called NTI.  Sarah and her team were able to attend NTI 2023 and they’re all recapping their experiences at the 4-day event in the episode!Sarah is joined by her team, Walker, Elisabeth, and Ashley, as well as special guest, ICU Nurse Sarah. They recorded each night to share the key takeaways from each day of the conference, from the wonderful people they met and inspirational speakers to the educational lessons in their sessions.You’ll hear highlights from NTI 2023, including how artificial intelligence is be...2023-06-0241 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN55: Q&A "Can You Please Make ABGs Make Sense?"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 disc...2023-05-2612 minAsk Nurse AliceAsk Nurse AliceThe Critical Role of Rapid Response Nurses (with Sarah Lorenzini)Joining Nurse Alice this week is Sarah Lorenzini, host of the Rapid Response RN podcast and a rapid response nurse and educator, she will shed light on the critical role played by rapid response nurses. In the ever-changing landscape of healthcare, there are moments when patients' conditions deteriorate rapidly, demanding immediate attention and intervention. Nurse Alice sets the stage by highlighting these critical moments and the traditional approach of calling the charge nurse and waiting for physician orders, which could lead to potential delays in care. However, she reveals that things have changed with the emergence of...2023-05-2344 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN54: ARDS Part 2... Meds, Proning, and ECMO With Guest Christian Guzman APRNConcluding 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...2023-05-1933 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN53: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Part 1 With Guest Christian Guzman APRNSarah 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...2023-05-1245 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN52: Transitioning From Nursing Student to Being 'The Nurse' With Guest Stephanee Beggs RNIt’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 R...2023-05-0535 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN51: "Poop in the Lungs?": Aspiration Pneumonia With Guest Nurse Mo From the Straight A Nursing PodcastAspiration 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...2023-04-2843 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN50: What's the Big Deal With Delirium? With Guest Kati Kleber From the FreshRN PodcastDelirium is acute brain failure.  It’s not just an unavoidable consequence of being hospitalized, it is a condition that can be prevented and treated! That’s why Rapid Response RN has teamed up with some of our favorite nursing podcasts for a pod crawl devoted to delirium.In this episode, Kati Kleber, MSN RN and host of the FreshRN® Podcast, joins our discussion on treating patients with delirium and avoiding its long-term effects. We go over the ABCDEF bundle, common mistakes new nurses make in regards to delirium, and the importance of family engagement in its treatm...2023-04-2159 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN49: TACO, TRALI, and All Things Blood Transfusion ReactionsWould you know how to identify a blood transfusion reaction? This is one of those nightmare cases because we just expect that when we give blood transfusion, the patient will get better… but what about when they get worse?Host Sarah Lorenzini has dealt with situations where a blood transfusion reaction took place, but it is so rare. So she wants to share evidence-based research to shed some light and insight into this very rare, but potentially life threatening situation.In today’s episode, Sarah goes over a case study of one of a rapid resp...2023-04-1421 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN48: Hemorrhagic Stroke with Guest Nurse AliceWe are so excited to be joined by Nurse Alice Benjamin, cardiac clinical nurse specialist, family nurse practitioner, Chief Nursing Officer of Nurse.org, host of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, and media health expert known as “America’s favorite nurse.”Highlighting the power of nurses’ intuition, Nurse Alice shares an interesting story of a patient found unresponsive and how her initial assessments led her to call a CODE STROKE.  In discussing this case, we cover the difference between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, what a brain bleed looks like on a CT, and the importance of advocating for our p...2023-04-0743 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN47: Hyperkalemia Cardiac Arrest Part 2: TreatmentToday we are diving deeper into hyperkalemia cardiac arrest as we present you with part two of last week’s episode where we talked about our hyperkalemia case study Ms. Wanda. If you haven’t already, we highly recommend you check out episode 46!Ever heard of the hyperkalemia cocktail? This cocktail, when administered in the correct order and the correct way, can help temporarily shoot the potassium back into the cell and lower the serum potassium. Disclaimer here, this treatment does not fix your patient’s potassium, it only buys you time.In today’s episode...2023-03-2919 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN46: Hyperkalemia Cardiac Arrest Part 1This isn’t your average hyperkalemia story! Today, host Sarah Lorenzini is sharing the story of Ms. Wanda, a frequent visitor to the ER who came in one day complaining of weakness — and then went into cardiac arrest as she was being examined.In this episode, Sarah walks us through her surprising visit and how she reached the diagnosis of hyperkalemia. You’ll learn the signs of hyperkalemia, how to detect it, and what can cause hyperkalemia.Listen to part one of Ms. Wanda’s story, and tune in next week to learn the treatment for hype...2023-03-2116 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN45: Q&A: "How Can I Become a Rapid Response Nurse?"In this episode, host Sarah Lorenzini is answering a frequently asked question: How do I prepare for a career as a rapid response nurse?Listeners have been coming to her DMs wanting to know, so Sarah’s breaking down the role of a rapid response nurse and what the day-to-day grind might look like. She goes over the skills and work styles that compliment this role, and who should avoid it.Sarah also shares the two questions she uses to assess every nurse interviewing to join her rapid response team. These two questions don’t just...2023-03-1024 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN44: "Heart Attack" or Anxiety?“As nurses, we care for a lot of patients with anxiety, right? We have to fight not to get jaded and write off our patient's symptoms. It would've been easy for this nurse to just administer some Xanax or Ativan and gone on with her shift. It's not like the patient's vitals were super high or super low, but this nurse tapped into two things: her intuition and critical thinking skills.”You may recall this quote from an earlier episode, but we’re revisiting it today because discerning between a heart attack and anxiety can sometimes be tricky...2023-03-0322 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN43: Eisenmenger Syndrome With Guest Nick McGowan RNImagine a patient with a SPO2 in the 80’s, not in distress, and acting normal. Their echocardiogram shows an atrial septal defect and a pulmonary artery pressure of 95!!! What can we do for this patient?  What could cause such a high PA pressure?Today’s guest Nick McGowan MSN, RN, CCRN, had this experience and is sharing his patient’s story with Sarah. Nick revisits how this case evolved, from getting test results to discovering his shockingly high PA pressure and transferring the patient to the ICU.Many nurses haven’t heard of this condition before, b...2023-02-2437 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN42: Dry As a Bone: Acute Kidney InjuryIn today’s episode, our host Sarah Lorenzini will be discussing a very important topic that all nurses need to know about, acute kidney injury, which is a common occurrence in hospital settings. As a rapid response nurse Sarah has seen acute kidney injuries often, but the treatment isn’t always cut and dry. Sarah tells us a story about a patient she was called to see in a rapid response situation and the steps she took to assess and take action when the patient went from a pre-renal kidney injury to intrarenal. She goes through each detai...2023-02-1720 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN41: Let's Make Priapism Not So Hard... With Guest Walker, Rapid Response RNIt’s a hard conversation, but priapism is a medical emergency!Sarah Lorenzini is joined by her friend and co-worker, Walker, to discuss the symptoms, causes and treatments of priapism. Walker introduces his priapism patient, and walks us through his initial assessment and treatment. You’ll even learn a little bit of its history, and hear Sarah’s firsthand experiences with priapism.They explain why priapism is an emergency situation, and why a fast response is needed to avoid complications. Walker ends the interview with key advice to all nursing professionals, so this is not...2023-02-1029 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN40:Why Rapid Response Nursing? Interview With The Nurse Keith ShowJoin your host Sarah Lorenzini as she’s interviewed by Keith Carlson, fellow nursing podcaster at The Nurse Keith Show.With the ability to stay grounded and alert during chaotic situations, Sarah is the epitome of being an anchor in a storm. In this episode, she shares how she found her niche in nursing, why rapid response nursing suits her work style, and how she coaches other nurses through the stress of emergent situations.Sarah gets fulfillment from helping others, and she does this in so many ways — education through storytelling on her podcast, teaching an o...2023-02-0555 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN39: Critical Limb IschemiaAs health care professionals, it is our job to advocate for our patients, even if our efforts are not well received initially. Especially when we are deeply concerned, or uncomfortable with the situation. This can be tough, but it is essential for the health of the patient. What happens when we are expressing real urgent concern and the provider on the other end doesn’t feel your urgency? On today’s episode, our host and rapid response nurse Sarah Lorenzini, tells us about an experience she had when providing care for a patient with critical limb i...2023-01-2714 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN38:Q&A: How to Effectively and Professionally Advocate For Your Patient… Even When the Provider is IntimidatingNurses, for the most part, spend significantly more time with patients compared to physicians. Regardless, it can be difficult for nurses to have their voice heard. For instance, how many times have YOU found yourself apologizing to a physician for just doing your job?The education from nursing school teaches a lot of vital skills, but one that’s ignored is the need to effectively communicate with other members of an interdisciplinary team. How do you make a physician take into account your concerns for your patient? And, what if you’re dealing with a rude physician?2023-01-2030 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN37: Hypercalcemia Cardiac Arrest with guest Kisha RNOne Sunday during football season, after being pressured by his wife, a reluctant patient gave in and decided to finally come into the ER. His calcium levels were high, but his EKG came back normal, he was experiencing no pain, and seemed healthy and responsive — until he wasn’t.Telling her story of treating this patient is host Sarah Lorenzini’s friend and fellow nurse, Kisha RN, CEN. She details her experience with this patient, starting from convincing him to stay for further tests, to shocking him 19 times after he coded, and reuniting months later.Tune i...2023-01-1340 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN36: Commotio Cordis: Responding to Sports Related Cardiac Events With Guest Dr. Jeremy Alland, Team Physician for the Chicago BullsWe are all praying for Buffalo Bills’ safety, Damar Hamlin, after he was hit, causing a cardiac event, sending him to the ICU. This is a nightmare for any athlete, and disheartening for family, friends and fans.As nurses, medical students, even parents, when viewing these types of tragic events, it is natural to think about what you would do in an emergency situation like this. Especially a parent attending a child’s sporting event, having the knowledge and ability to help out in an emergency can start to feel more important than ever.On toda...2023-01-0626 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN29: Managing Pre-Shift Anxiety As a NurseNursing pre-shift anxiety is a thing!  Many of us stress ourselves out so much leading up to our shift that we don't sleep or eat well or we feel overwhelmed by the thought of another 12 hour shift and we haven't even stepped foot in the hospital yet.  But there is hope...This episode does not have any hacks for erasing pre-shift anxiety... but rather how to face it.Sarah discusses the 3 things that she has done to work through the  anxiety associated with being a Nurse.So, if you find yourself dreading your shi...2022-10-1514 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RN18: It's Not About the Glucose... Talking Through Diabetic Ketoacidosis With Guest Christian Guzman Critical Care APRNDKA is so complicated... especially when the patient presents with a normal blood glucose! This case really sets the stage for explaining all of the dangerous aspects of DKA and the multifactorial approach to treating it. Christian and Sarah discuss the pathophysiology... down to the cellular level... of what's happening when patients go into DKA, some of the tests used to diagnose DKA like ABGs, and the delicate balance of fluid status and electrolytes that must be maintained when correcting this metabolic acidosis. 2022-03-231h 04Rapid Response RNRapid Response RN17: This Seems Worse Than Pancreatitis! With Guests Katleen and MarissaWhat started as pancreatitis, turned into massive transfusion protocol and a visit to interventional radiology. In this episode, Sarah, Katleen, and Marissa discuss a case that took an unexpected turn for the worse. They break down the pathophysiology of pancreatitis, it's treatment, and the nurse's role in the patient's recovery.2022-03-1148 minRapid Response RNRapid Response RNWho is Sarah and what is this podcast all about?Just a quick introduction to who the host of the Rapid Response RN Podcast is and why she wanted to do a podcast for nurses.2020-10-1503 min