Do 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 drugs, we get into the nitty gritty of managing this life-threatening condition.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Status epilepticus case study
• Defining status epilepticus and its pathophysiology
• How to recognize the signs of status epilepticus
• Intervention tools and best practices
• Medication use and management
• Prevention and identification of underlying causes

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response and Rescue Intro Course

CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 🫶 Check out my membership: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/community 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://hoo.be/therapidresponsern SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE 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! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

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 realities of crisis care, from deployment to being an effective nurse leader in a chaotic environment!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Deploying to Asheville with limited resources
• What it’s like working on a disaster relief nursing team
• The coordination of patient care and operations in disaster relief
• Stories of humanity, kindness, and uplifting moments in crisis
• Common medical issues and challenges during hurricane disasters
• How to maintaining team morale as a nurse leader
• The biggest lessons from working as a hurricane relief nurse

Check out Accuryn for yourself:

https://accuryn.com/why-accuryn/

Mentioned 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!

Rapid Response and Rescue Intro Course

CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 🫶 Check out my membership: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/community 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://hoo.be/therapidresponsern SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE 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! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

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, evaluating the pros and cons of the various oxygen delivery modalities like non-rebreather masks and BiPAP. Curious how an awkward moment turned into a valuable lesson for COPD care? Tune in now!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The embarrassing BBQ incident
• Lessons from a COPD patient story
• Pathophysiology of COPD
• The truth about hypoxic drive
• Oxygen therapy and choosing the right delivery method for your patient
• When intubation is the best intervention

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response and Rescue Intro Course

CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 🫶 Check out my membership: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/community 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://hoo.be/therapidresponsern SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE 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! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

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 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) to severe complications like delirium tremens (48-72 hours).
• The importance of compassionate, non-judgmental care for patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) during withdrawal, and why judgment rarely leads to positive change.
• The role of CIWA-Ar scoring to assess withdrawal severity and guide treatment, including common medications like benzodiazepines and the emerging use of phenobarbital for symptom management.
• Critical reminders to carefully evaluate all symptoms and avoid misattributing every instance of confusion or agitation to alcohol withdrawal, ensuring comprehensive care.

Tune in to learn how to recognize and manage alcohol withdrawal, keep patients safe, and provide the compassionate care they need during this vulnerable time.

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response Academy Link

Wanna check out Rapid Response Academy: The Heart and Science of Caring for the Sick? click this link to learn more: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/community

Rapid Response and Rescue Intro Course

CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 🫶 Check out my membership: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/community 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://hoo.be/therapidresponsern SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE 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! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

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 down three areas you should focus on to become a better resuscitationist leader!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Lessons from a chaotic code blue
• What makes a great resuscitationist?
• How to effectively lead a resuscitation team
• The crucial role of debriefs

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response and Rescue Intro Course

CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 🫶 Check out my membership: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/community 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://hoo.be/therapidresponsern SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE 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! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

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 article on the management of POTS. In this episode, Dr. Cutchins breaks down the symptoms, possible causes and contributing factors of this complex and misunderstood disorder. She also explores treatment strategies and new research that could improve patient outcomes.

Tune in to hear Dr. Cutchins’ insights into how healthcare professionals can better recognize POTS and advocate for patients!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• What is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)?
• Causes and contributing factors of POTS
• Common symptoms of POTS
• Diagnostic tests and diagnostic challenges
• The treatment process and effective strategies
• New developments in POTS research
• Treating POTS in an emergency situation
• How to better manage and advocate for patients

Read Dr. Cutchins' article, Narrative Review of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: Associated Conditions and Management Strategies: https://www.uscjournal.com/articles/narrative-review-postural-orthostatic-tachycardia-syndrome-associated-conditions-and

POTS patients can find more information and resources here:

https://www.dysautonomiainternational.org/

Print this guide to plan for POTS emergencies with your physician!

https://supertmastcell.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/SuperT-PatientReferenceGuide-2024.pdf

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response Academy Link

Wanna check out Rapid Response Academy: The Heart and Science of Caring for the Sick? click this link to learn more: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/community

Rapid Response and Rescue Intro Course

CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 🫶 Check out my membership: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/community 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://hoo.be/therapidresponsern SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE 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! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

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 Drain Line Clearance, significantly reducing the risk of CAUTI. You’ll learn how this innovative technology both eases the nursing workload and improves patient outcomes.

From a patient case study to practical tips, this episode covers everything you need to know about the development and prevention of AKI. Tune in for an engaging discussion on the importance of early detection through urine output monitoring!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Overlooked dangers of acute kidney injury
• What happens in the body to cause AKIs
• Good pee versus bad pee
• The correlation between urine output and patient outcomes
• Case study on the AKI cascade
• The three stages of AKI: prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal
• Challenges in accurate urine output monitoring
• How CMS mandatory reporting regulations could impact hospitals
• Accuryn’s innovative work in the early detection of AKIs
• Tips for advocating for new technology at your workplace
• The most important takeaways from this episode

Starting in October 2024, CMS is including AKI as a reportable measure under the IPPS eCQMS Patient Safety reporting. Mandatory reporting of AKI Stage 2 and greater will begin by 2026. Click here to learn more:

https://accuryn.com/why-accuryn/

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response and Rescue Intro Course

CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 🫶 Check out my membership: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/community 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://hoo.be/therapidresponsern SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE 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! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

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 environment, and reflects on the personal growth that came from living and working in a multicultural setting aboard Mercy Ships.

Tune in to learn how Mercy Ships provided life-changing opportunities for both patients and volunteers!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Becca’s journey to join Mercy Ships
• Mercy Ships’ mission and volunteer opportunities
• The training process to live and work on a ship
• A day in the life as a Mercy Ships nurse
• Community and social life on Mercy Ships
• Educational perks and collaborative work environment
• Mercy Ships’ profound impact on patients and volunteers
• Want to volunteer with Mercy Ships?

Mercy Ships is a global charity that operates the world’s largest hospital ships. Since its founding in 1978, Mercy Ships has brought hope and healing to Africa through surgical care, education, training, community development, and health programs. The life-changing work of our hospital ships is made possible all because of our vibrant community of volunteers from around the world. Whether you are a Perioperative, Critical Care, Ophthalmology, or a Pediatric Nurse, there is a place on board for you! Find your place and join Mercy Ship as a volunteer to help change the lives of people in great need.

Follow Mercy Ships:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MercyShips

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mercyships/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mercy-ships/

Learn more:

https://opportunities.mercyships.org/volunteer-now/

Mentioned in this episode:

Rapid Response and Rescue Intro Course

CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 🫶 Check out my membership: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/community 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://hoo.be/therapidresponsern SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE 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! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Rapid Response Academy Link

Wanna check out Rapid Response Academy: The Heart and Science of Caring for the Sick? click this link to learn more: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/community