1-43
1-43. CODE
a. Sudden cardiac death and the ensuing hectic activity involved in code management can be a frightening and anxiety producing experience for nursing personnel who are unaccustomed to this type of event. A basic understanding of what takes place during a code will do much to alleviate that anxiety.
b. When a cardiac arrest has been identified:
(1) The person who witnesses the event or discovers the patient will call for help from his co-workers and immediately initiate CPR. The co-workers will respond by initiating the procedures for "calling" a code. They will then obtain the emergency equipment, take it to the location of the code, and relieve or assist the individual performing CPR. As help arrives, several things begin to happen simultaneously:
(a) An IV "lifeline" will be initiated.
(b) Blood pressure readings will be obtained.
(c) The patient is connected to the cardiac monitor.
(d) Baseline blood work is drawn to assess the patient's status.
(e) An ambu bag and oxygen will replace mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
(2) The physician in charge will make decisions based on his observations of the patient's condition and the response to CPR. If there is no response to CPR, the code continues, and again, several things happen simultaneously:
(a) The patient will be intubated.
(b) Appropriate emergency drugs will be administered.
(c) Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is continued while the electrical activity of the heart is observed on the cardiac monitor. If appropriate to the patient's condition, the patient will be defibrillated.
(d) Blood samples are drawn repeatedly to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment. Acid-base balance and adequacy of oxygenation are of extreme concern.
(3) These procedures continue until the patient is stabilized or the physician makes the determination to declare the patient dead.
c. The seeming confusion of people is actually a coordinated effort by a group of people, each performing a particular task. The major roles are as follows:
(1) A physician will direct the activities, "managing" the code.
(2) A nurse will administer IV medications at the direction of the physician in charge.
(3) A nurse (or paraprofessional) will monitor blood pressure and obtain blood samples.
(4) One individual will perform chest compressions.
(5) One individual will administer artificial ventilation. This is normally the anesthesia specialist, who has intubated the patient.
(6) One individual will act as a recorder, charting the exact
time of each action performed and each medication given.
(7) One or more individuals act as "runners," taking specimens to the lab, obtaining needed supplies, receiving lab reports, and so forth.
d. Remember, the purpose of a "code" is to attempt resuscitation of a patient whose heart has stopped pumping effectively (fibrillation) or stopped pumping altogether. Keep this purpose in mind at all times, and be aware of your role as a paraprofessional.
