MODULE TEMPLATE
1. Title of the Module: Emergency Nursing: Introduction
2. Overview/Introduction: This module discusses about the basic of Emergency Nursing, ER
responsibilities and emergency essentials
3. Learning Outcome/Objective
a. Define emergency Nursing
b. Identify Nurse responsibilities in the nursing process
c. Enumerate and discuss the emergency nursing essentials
d. Differentiate the two types of transport
4. Learning Content/Topic
Emergency Nursing
Emergency Nursing is the delivery of specialized care to a variety of ill or injured patients. Such patients may
be unstable, have complex needs, and require intensive and vigilant nursing care. Others may have minor
problems. No matter the reason for coming to the emergency department, all patients feel that their problems
are emergencies.
Emergency Nurse Responsibilities
a. Assessment- it requires every emergency nurse to constantly assess the patient for subtle changes in
condition and monitor all equipment being used. Caring for emergency patients always involves a
patient assessment, which includes physical and psychological statuses. As part of the patient
assessment, the emergency nurse may use highly specialized equipment and laboratory and
diagnostics when assessing a patient.
b. Planning- It requires you to consider the patient psychological and physiological needs and set a
realistic patient goal. The result is an individualized care plan for your patient. In planning, be sure to
address present and potential problems.
c. Implementation- as a nurse, you must implement specific interventions to address existing and
potential problems
d. Evaluation- use evaluation to change the care plan as needed to make sure that your patient
continues to work toward achieving his outcome goals.
Emergency Essentials
a. Information Station- When a patient arrives in the ED by ambulance, it’s Important to get as much
information as you can from the prehospital care providers.
b. Primary Survey
*Remember that the primary ABCDE survey is a rapid assessment intended to identify life-
threatening emergencies that must be treated before assessment continues.
c. Secondary Survey-this part of the examination identifies all injuries sustained by the patient. At this
time, a care plan is developed and diagnostic test are ordered.
Obtain a full set of Vital Signs initially, including respirations, pulse, blood pressure, and
temperature. If you suspect chest trauma, get blood pressures in both arms.
Next, Perform these Five Interventions:
I. Initiate cardiac monitoring
II. Obtain continuous pulse oximetry readings. Be aware, however, that readings may be
inaccurate if the patient is cold or in shock.
III. Insert a urinary catheter to monitor accurate intake and output measurements. Many
urinary catheters also record core body temperature. Don’t insert a urinary catheter if
there’s blood at the urinary meatus.
IV. Insert nasogastric tube for stomach decompression
V. Obtain laboratory studies.
Triage
Triage
is a
method
of
prioritizing patient care according to the type of illness or injury and the urgency of the patient’s condition. It’s
used to ensure that each patient receives care appropriate to his need and in a timely manner.
The triage nurse must be able to rapidly assess the nature and urgency of problems for many patients and
prioritize their care based on that assessment. The ENA (ENA, 2011b) has established guidelines for triage
based on a five-tier system:
Level I: Resuscitation— This level includes patients who need immediate nursing and medical
attention, such as those with cardiopulmonary arrest, major trauma, severe respiratory distress, and
seizures.
Level II: Emergent— These patients need immediate nursing assessment and rapid treatment.
Patients who may be assessed as level II include those with head injuries, chest pain, stroke, asthma,
and sexual assault injuries.
Level III: Urgent— These patients need quick attention but can wait as long as 30 minutes for an
assessment and treatment. Such patients might report to the ED with signs of infection, mild respiratory
distress, or moderate pain.
Level IV: Less urgent— Patients in this triage category can wait up to 1 hour for an assessment and
treatment; they may include those with an earache, chronic back pain, upper respiratory symptoms,
and a mild headache. Level V: Nonurgent— These patients can wait up to 2 hours (possibly longer) for
an assessment and treatment; those with sore throat, menstrual cramps, and other minor symptoms
are typically assigned to level V.
Transport
Patients who are hospitalized rarely stay in their room for their entire visit; they’re transported for diagnostic
tests, procedures, and surgery. The ED patient is no different. Trauma patients can experience either an
interfacility or intrafacility transport journey.
Interfacility transport - An interfacility transport is one that moves the patient from the ED to another
health care facility. Interfacility transport happens on the ground with a paramedic ambulance or critical
care transport, or by air (usually by helicopter, but fixed- and rotary-wing planes may also be used).
Intrafacility transport -An intrafacility transport involves transporting the patient from the ED to
another area of the receiving hospital such as an inpatient unit, the X-ray or imaging department, or the
operating room.
Communication
Regardless of which type of transport the patient requires, communication is vital to the patient’s survival in
coming to your facility, going to another facility, or just moving within your facility. Complete documentation of
the patient’s condition, procedures, laboratory test results, monitoring parameters, and medications is
paramount.
5. Teaching and Learning Activities: Question and Answer
6. Flexible Teaching Learning Modality adapted: Online classroom Via Zoom app.
7. Assessment Task: Attend Webinar Updates on Emergency Nursing. Submit E-certificate as
proof.
8. References
Incredibly Easy: Emergency Nursing Ed. 2009
