No 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...

You 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,...

Caring 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...

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...

Behind 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...

Pee might be the key to saving your patient’s life. In this episode of Rapid Response RN, we dive into the critical yet often overlooked early sign of clinical deterioration — urine output. Join us as Tom Colabro, MNS-HCSM, RN, NEA-BC, shares his expert insights on why accurate urine output can be a cost-effective biomarker in patient care. Tom introduces the Accuryn Monitoring System, which not only identifies AKI up to 33.4 hours faster than traditional methods but also features Active...

Burned out by hospital life? For Becca RN, serving a two-year mission with Mercy Ships reignited her passion for nursing and introduced her to a global community of volunteers. Her experience as a nurse on a hospital ship in West Africa went beyond traditional patient care, allowing her to play a role in both the physical and emotional healing of her patients. In this episode, she shares what daily life is like on Mercy Ships, talks about the diverse education and team-focused work...

When Michelle discovered her patient was paralyzed, it surprised the whole medical team. This patient who was previously mobile and recovering from septic shock was now paralyzed and ultimately diagnosed with spinal cord ischemia, but could early intervention have changed the outcome? In this episode, we discuss the causes, signs, diagnosis and treatment of spinal cord ischemia. Michelle shares powerful insights from her work in neurocritical care, including a technique for detecting...

This 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...

A 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...

Clinical Nurse Specialists are more than just experts in their field.  They are advanced practice nurses who are driven to make system wide changes for both nurses and their patients. This episode sheds light on the critical role of Clinical Nurse Specialists, the extensive education and experience needed to enter the field, and their unique responsibilities compared to other nursing positions. Nicole openly shares the impact she’s been able to make as a CNS, the challenges she’s faced — and...

This 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...

This 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...

Can you guess what was Mr. James' diagnosis? Why was he having periods of apnea? Why was he tachycardic? Why was he hypertensive? Why was he so rigid? Why wouldn't he wake up? Tune in Friday for Episode 114 to hear the reveal of the diagnosis and breakdown of the pathophysiology and how to treat Mr. James' condition Mentioned in this episode: Rapid Response and Rescue Intro Course CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 🫶 Check out my membership:...

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...

The 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...

When 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...

Managing 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...

A 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...

No 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...

NTI 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...

Nursing 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...

Nursing 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,...

Obstructive 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...