Sample interview questions: Explain a situation where you had to make a quick decision in a critical care setting.
Sample answer:
In a critical care setting, there are numerous situations where ICU nurses are required to make quick decisions to ensure the best possible outcomes for their patients. One such situation that comes to mind is when I had to make a rapid decision regarding the administration of a medication to a critically ill patient.
During my shift, I received an urgent call from a fellow nurse who was attending to a patient in distress. The patient, who had a history of heart failure, was experiencing sudden and severe shortness of breath. Upon assessing the patient’s vital signs, I noticed a rapid heart rate, low blood pressure, and decreased oxygen saturation levels. It was evident that the patient was in acute respiratory distress and required immediate intervention.
Knowing that time was of the essence, I gathered critical information from the patient’s medical chart, including their current medications and any known allergies. I quickly reviewed the patient’s recent laboratory results to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their condition. Based on my assessment and the available information, it became clear that the patient was experiencing acute pulmonary edema, a life-threatening complication of heart failure.
Considering the urgency of the situation, I promptly initiated the prescribed emergency interventions for acute pulmonary edema. I administered oxygen through a high-flow nasal cannula to improve the patient’s oxygenation. Additionally, I started an intravenous line to ensure rapid access for administering necessary medications.
Given the patient’s history of heart failure, I recognized the importance of initiating diuresis to reduce fluid overload and alleviate symptoms. I decided to administer a loop diuretic, furosemide, after confirming the a… Read full answer
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