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Push down on the cricoid

You figure you'll offer to hold cricoid pressure (Sellick's maneuver) so that she can better visualize the cords.

Bob: "Seems like you're having trouble... Do you want me to hold some cricoid pressure? "

Valerie: "Can't hurt. Go ahead."

You pinch the skin in the front of the neck and push back against the throat slightly.

Valerie: "Yeah - that's good. Hold that!"

The medic pushes in the endotracheal tube and inflates the cuff. She then ausculatates the chest as she gives the patient a couple of ventilations.

Valerie: "Hang on... I need to tweak the tube!"

She adjusts the tube a little and confirms the lung sounds once again. Satisfied she ties the tube in place and tells Mortimer to continue driving. You take the mask portion off your BVM and connect it to the ET tube.

You continue ventilating the patient as you proceed to the hospital. The medic starts an I-V and manages to hang the bag up just as you pull into the hospital.

Valerie: "Someday I'll have a partner who can help me with these things."

Bob: "We seem to have a lot in common!"

You unload your patient with the help of the second medic who has suddenly appeared and wheel him into the ER.

Nurse: "We we're expecting a code. How's he doing?"

Valerie: "A little better now. Has a reasonable rhythm but he's still in respiratory arrest. I haven't managed much in the way of vitals yet, but his last BP was 102/90."

The attending physician looks a little confused as he looks at the machinery attached to the patient.

Physician: "You're pacing him? Is he bradycardic?"

Valerie: "Err... no. It's an automated defibrillator. They have big round pads like a pacer."

Bob: "Where do you want him? My hand is getting cramped working this ventilation bag!"

You and the hospital staff take the patient into one of the rooms and get him settled in. Having obtained a signature and collected your things, you walk out to the ambulance bay to meet your partner. You find him sitting in the ambulance with his arms crossed.

Bob: "What's the matter Mortimer?"

Mortimer: "Nothing! Just that you've found someone else to help lift your patients!"

Bob: "Huh?"

Mortimer: "After all we've been through together? I bandage and compress and ventilate my fingers to the bone for you and I catch you lifting with someone else? You didn't even let me get out of the truck to help!"

Bob: "Well... it didn't mean anything to me."

Mortimer: "Sure... today, a quick lift with some medic you pick up on the street. Tomorrow you've got a whole new partner and I'm all alone!"

OK... this is getting a little too surreal!

Bob: "Mortimer, you fool! It was a job! I'm not changing partners - and you are no longer allowed to watch daytime soap operas! Got it?"

Mortimer <mumbling>:"OK Bob...."

Bob: "Plus, you lift much better than she does. The stretcher was low on her side..."

Of course you're lying, but you catch Mortimer hiding a grin. With the job over and your partner pacified, the next thing to do is find a cup of coffee...

GOOD JOB. YOU'VE COMPLETED SCENARIO 26 TITLED "CODE BLUE FOR TWO" AS MENTIONED
BEFORE WE WILL ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE NEW SCENARIOS EVERY MONTH.

For comments on the Pre-Hospital Care Simulator, please write to : jmateus@LessStress.com . Again, please, no arguments over regional treatment protocols.

To go back and play this scenario as Valerie LePrance, click here.

For old scenarios no longer "on the air", click here.

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