Rapid Response Events in the Critically Ill

Facial Swelling in a Patient After Bronchoscopy

Case Study A rapid response event was activated for a patient who appeared to be in acute distress. On arrival of the rapid response team, the patient was short of breath with visible swelling of the face. Per the bedside…

Hypoxia in a Patient With Hemoptysis

Case Study The bedside nurse initiated a rapid response event for a patient who developed large volume hemoptysis along with dyspnea. On arrival of the condition team, the patient was coughing bright red blood and visibly dyspneic, using accessory muscles…

Hypoxia in a Morbidly Obese Patient

Case Study The bedside nurse initiated a rapid response event for a patient who went to sleep earlier in the evening and was unable to be aroused by verbal commands. The nurse noted his oxygen saturation drop as low as…

Hypoxia in a Patient With Massive Pleural Effusion

Case Study A rapid response event was initiated by the bedside nurse for a patient who developed altered mentation and shallow breathing. On arrival of the condition team, the patient was found to be an 80-year-old female with a history…

Hypoxia in a Patient With Sickle Cell Disease

Case Study A rapid response event was initiated by the bedside nurse for a patient with shortness of breath, hypoxia, and altered mental status. On prompt arrival of the rapid response team, it was noted that the patient was a…

Hypoxia in a Patient With Myasthenia Gravis

Case Study A rapid response code was activated for a patient who appeared to be in acute respiratory distress. On arrival of the condition team, the patient was found to be a 45-year-old male with a history of myasthenia gravis…

Hypoxia in a Patient With Bullous Emphysema

Case Study The bedside nurse activated a rapid response code for a patient who appeared to be in acute respiratory distress and had new right-sided chest pain. On arrival of the rapid response team (RRT), the patient was found to…

Hypoxia in a Patient With Hypertensive Emergency

Case Study A bedside nurse initiated a rapid response code for a patient who appeared to be in acute respiratory distress and was hypoxic. On arrival of the condition team, the patient was short of breath, sitting on the side…

Hypoxia in a Patient With COVID-19

Case Study A rapid response code was activated for a patient who developed acute dyspnea. On arrival of the condition team, the patient was found to be a 75-year-old male with a known history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),…