Written Assignment 2: Case Study Scenario
Completion requirements
To do: Make a submission
To do: Receive a grade
Background:
Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) are multidisciplinary hospital resources designed to provide immediate assessment and intervention for patients experiencing clinical deterioration outside of critical care units. These teams typically include a critical care nurse, respiratory therapist, and physician or nurse practitioner who can quickly respond to bedside emergencies. RRTs were developed to prevent cardiac arrests and improve patient outcomes by intervening early when patients show warning signs of deterioration. Nurses play a crucial role in recognizing these warning signs and activating the team through proper escalation techniques. Early activation based on specific clinical criteria—such as vital sign changes, altered mental status, or respiratory distress—can be lifesaving and is considered a standard of care in modern hospitals.
Read the following case study and respond to the questions below. [MO 7.3]
Case Study:
Patient: Maria Santos, 68-year-old female, post-operative day 2 following hip replacement surgery Background: Maria has been stable since surgery with normal vital signs. She has a history of hypertension and diabetes, both well-controlled with medication. Current Situation (2:30 PM): You are Maria’s nurse and notice she seems different when you enter her room. She appears confused and keeps asking where she is, though she was oriented this morning. Her speech seems slurred. When you take her vital signs, you find:
- Blood pressure: 210/110 mmHg
- Heart rate: 45 bpm (was 78 this morning)
- Respirations: 28/min, shallow
- Oxygen saturation: 88% on room air
- Temperature: 98.6°F
Maria tells you she has a severe headache and feels nauseous. She appears restless and keeps trying to get out of bed despite your instructions to stay put.
Questions:
Answer the following in 400-500 words (approximately two pages):
- Rapid Response Activation Decision (100-125 words)
- Should you activate the rapid response team? Why or why not?
- What specific clinical indicators support your decision?
- What immediate actions should you take before calling?
- Communication Process (125-150 words)
- Using SBAR format, write out exactly what you would say when calling the rapid response team.
- Who else should you notify and in what order?
- Preparation and Team Response (125-150 words)
- What should you do while waiting for the team to arrive?
- What equipment/information should you have ready?
- Who typically responds on a rapid response team and what will they likely do first?
- Follow-up Actions (50-75 words)
- After the team evaluates Maria, what documentation is required?
- What ongoing monitoring will be needed?
You must use a minimum of two outside sources in addition to any of the study materials. Cite your sources using APA.