Rapid Response RN

Sarah Lorenzini

Do you want to go from dreading emergencies to feeling confident and ready to jump into action to rescue your patient? Well, this show will let you see emergencies unfold through the eyes of a Rapid Response Nurse. With real life stories from the frontlines of nursing, host Sarah Lorenzini MSN, RN, CCRN, CEN, a Rapid Response Nurse and educator, shares her experiences at rapid response events and breaks down the pathophysiology, pharmacology, and the important role the nurse plays during emergencies. If you want to sharpen your assessment skills and learn how to think like a Rapid Response Nurse, then Sarah is here to share stories, tips, tricks, and mindsets that will prepare you to approach any emergency. Every episode is packed full of exactly what you need to know to handle whatever crisis that could arise on your shift. It’s one thing to get the right answer on the test, but knowing how to detect when YOUR patient is declining and what to do when YOUR patient is crashing is what will make or break your day… and might just save your patient’s life.

  1. 18 HR AGO

    162: Live From NurseCon at Sea: Burnout, Boundaries, and Finding Your Way Back

    We all know the many challenges facing the Nursing profession today. Nursing takes so much from us… but it also has so much to offer. Recorded live at NurseCon at Sea, Sarah sits down with two nurses who hit their breaking point and found a way to keep showing up. This episode goes deep into the messy reality of nursing burnout, from the struggle to put yourself first to the boundaries, mindset shifts, and support systems that keep nurses in the game. You don't have to manage burnout alone, so don’t miss this one. Topics discussed in this episode: Self-care and resilience as a disciplineThe nursing choice: fracture or adaptBuilding a life that isn't fully defined by the institutionImportant things we don’t say to each otherWhat patients actually need from their nursesTherapy, medication, and sleep as nursing toolsAn exercise to audit your cup-fillers vs. cup-drainersWhy it’s so important to share your experienceHow leaders should respond when a nurse is nearing burnout Learn more about NurseCon at Sea: https://nurseconatsea.com/ Mentioned in this episode: CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/therapidresponsern ✅ Earn CE’s for listening to podcasts through RNegade: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/?ref=d9d541 SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE ⏱️ To get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    45 min
  2. 24 APR

    161: We Got ROSC... Now What? Evidence Based Post Resuscitation Care

    Getting ROSC is not always the win we sometimes think it is. It's what we're looking for the entire resuscitation, but the real challenge begins once we get it… and what we do in the next few hours has a major impact on patient outcomes. In this episode, Sarah shares a real rapid response case to walk through the physiology, decision-making, and advocacy of post-arrest care. The 2025 AHA post resuscitation guidelines have brought important shifts to post-ROSC management, from how aggressively to oxygenate to when it's safe to prognosticate. Don't miss the full breakdown! Topics discussed in this episode: Oxygenation and ventilation: how to avoid hyperoxia and hypoxiaPerfusion, pressors, and the limits of MAPTemperature management guidelinesSedation, analgesia, and the paralyzed-but-awake patientDiagnostics: timing, priorities, and what to rule outHow to use neuroprognostication the right wayHow to talk to families without giving false hopeNursing priorities and how to advocate for your patients Check out the new Post Resuscitation Guidelines: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001375 Listen to episode 73 — Resuscitate Before You Intubate: How to NOT KILL YOUR PATIENT When You Intubate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/73-resuscitate-before-you-intubate-how-to-not-kill/id1535997752?i=1000630431016 Mentioned in this episode: AND If you are planning to sit for your CCRN and would like to take the Critical Care Academy CCRN prep course you can visit https://www.ccrnacademy.com and use coupon code RAPID10 to get 10% off the cost of the course! CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/therapidresponsern ✅ Earn CE’s for listening to podcasts through RNegade: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/?ref=d9d541 SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE ⏱️ To get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    31 min
  3. 10 APR

    160: The 2026 AHA/ACC New PE Guidelines with Dr. Mark Creager

    The AHA just updated the playbook on acute pulmonary embolism. The old classification system is gone. Heparin drips are no longer the default. And if your instinct is to push for intubation, that could be the thing that makes your patient worse. In this episode, Dr. Mark Creager, lead author of the 2026 AHA Multi-Society Guideline on Acute Pulmonary Embolism, breaks down exactly what's changed, how the new guidelines help teams make better decisions faster, and what nurses need to know about frontline PE management. Learn what the data says about oxygen therapy, anticoagulation, vasopressors, and the decisions that matter most when your PE patient starts to slide. Topics discussed in this episode: The new A to E classification system and how to categorize patientsClinical signs that your PE patient is deterioratingOxygen therapy: why intubation can be dangerousVasopressor therapy and when to add vasopressinLow-molecular-weight heparin vs. unfractionated heparinPE response teams: when to activate and who should be on the teamWhat you can do when your hospital has no PERTWhen to transfer by classification (and when it may be too late)The nurse's role in early recognition and escalation And you can check out the full AHA/ACC 2026 updated PE guideline here: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001415 Mentioned in this episode: Xshears are the best shears check em out here: https://xshear.com//discount/Rapid10 and you can use code RAPID10 to get 10% off your purchase CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/therapidresponsern ✅ Earn CE’s for listening to podcasts through RNegade: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/?ref=d9d541 SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE ⏱️ To get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    37 min
  4. 27 MAR

    159: Nurse Led Stroke Alert Process with Kat Siaron RN

    "There has to be a better way." We've all thought it. This episode is proof that nurses can be the ones to make it happen. In this episode, Sarah is joined by Kat Siaron, rapid response nurse and co-author of the RRT STAR study that shows what happens when nurses are empowered to act before a clear stroke diagnosis is made. They walk through a patient case that exposed a dangerous gap in inpatient stroke response, traps like sedation hangover that mask stroke presentations, and how the nurse-led Code Stroke process has drastically improved time to crucial intervention. You'll hear about the step-by-step workflow, where rapid response nurses and physicians fit in, and how you can advocate for change in your hospital. Topics discussed in this episode: The patient case that led to Kat’s RRT STAR studyWhy inpatient stroke times lag behind ER stroke timesThe consequences of ordering stat CT instead of Code StrokeSymptoms and prognosis of basilar strokeThe step-by-step Code Stroke processThe rapid response team's role in stroke activationResults and impact of the studyHow they overcame pushback to drive institutional changeStroke mimics and what to do nextHow to advocate for a nurse-led stroke alert at your hospital Read Kat’s article, “Use of Rapid Response Teams to Expedite Imaging and Treatment for Inpatients With Acute Stroke:” https://aacnjournals.org/aacnacconline/article-abstract/36/4/317/32912/Use-of-Rapid-Response-Teams-to-Expedite-Imaging?redirectedFrom=fulltext Mentioned in this episode: CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/therapidresponsern ✅ Earn CE’s for listening to podcasts through RNegade: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/?ref=d9d541 SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE ⏱️ To get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com Listen to the In The Heart of Care Podcast https://link.cohostpodcasting.com/6598429e-e927-45b0-9b57-7dd34a09d803?d=seASyqjs7

    40 min
  5. 13 MAR

    158: What’s Changed in Acute Stroke Care? New AHA Stroke Guidelines with Dr. Prabahkaran

    The stroke guidelines just changed and it’s exciting and nuanced! What you do in the first 30 minutes could drastically change your patient's outcome. In this episode, Dr. Shyam Prabhakaran, neurologist and chief writer of the new 2026 AHA Stroke Guidelines, explains what's changed and how these guidelines are changing practice at the bedside. Stroke treatment decisions are getting faster, more nuanced, and more imaging-driven. Inclusion/exclusion criteria and whether to give thrombolytics, who is a candidate for thrombectomy, and when to touch the blood pressure have all been updated. Know the updates before your next stroke alert! Topics discussed in this episode: Introducing the classic extended window patient caseThrombolytics vs. thrombectomy explainedEMS destination decision: Choosing primary vs. comprehensive stroke centerHow reperfusion time windows have changedAdvanced imaging: ASPECTS and thrombectomy eligibilityTreatment options for patients presenting outside of the 4.5 hr windowBlood pressure management recommendationsWhat nurses should do in the first 15-30 minutesLVO red flags at the bedsidePediatric ischemic stroke Check out the new AHA Stroke Guidelines: https://newsroom.heart.org/news/new-guideline-expands-stroke-treatment-for-adults-offers-first-pediatric-stroke-guidance Mentioned in this episode: CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/therapidresponsern ✅ Earn CE’s for listening to podcasts through RNegade: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/?ref=d9d541 SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE ⏱️ To get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com Listen to the In The Heart of Care Podcast https://link.cohostpodcasting.com/6598429e-e927-45b0-9b57-7dd34a09d803?d=seASyqjs7

    32 min
  6. 28 FEB

    157: Cracking the ARDS Code: A Deep Dive on ARDS Vent Management Strategies With Melody Bishop RT

    ARDS is one of the more complex syndromes we manage in critical care. More than just pulmonary edema, we are battling stiff lungs, refractory hypoxemia, rising pressures, and frequently making decisions that can either protect the lung or make things worse. In this episode, I’m joined by respiratory therapist Melody Bishop for a deep dive into ARDS ventilator management through the lens of physiology, evidence, and real bedside practice. We break down what’s actually happening in the lung, why some long-held practices have fallen out of favor, and how nurses and RTs can work together to make more precise, lung-protective decisions. If ARDS has ever felt like guesswork, this episode will help it make sense. Topics discussed in this episode:What ARDS looks like at the alveolar level and why surfactant loss changes everythingHow inflammation leads to stiff lungs, poor compliance, and refractory hypoxemiaWhy lung-protective ventilation is about avoiding harm, not chasing perfect numbersMoving beyond tidal volume: how driving pressure reframes vent managementHow RTs use compliance trends to judge whether lungs are improving or failingPEEP selection: why tables are a guide, not the final answerThe physiology behind proning and why it’s one of the few ARDS interventions that saves livesWhy recruitment maneuvers fell out of favor (and what works instead)What nurses should be watching on the ventilator to catch deterioration early Connect with Melody and download her free book:https://melodybishoprt.com/ Mentioned in this episode: Rapid Response Academy Winter 2026 Cohort https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/rra CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/therapidresponsern ✅ Earn CE’s for listening to podcasts through RNegade: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/?ref=d9d541 SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE ⏱️ To get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

    51 min
  7. 13 FEB

    156: When the Body Rejects the Cure: Graft Verses Host Disease with Anthony RN

    A transplant saves a life… but can also make the body attack itself. That's what Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) does, and why nurses need to catch it early. You may have never seen it before, but this episode will tell you what it looks like at the bedside and the early clues you can’t afford to miss. Through a real patient case, Anthony, RN explains why GVHD is easy to overlook, how to think through common differentials, and what matters most when it comes to helping patients stabilize and recover. Topics discussed in this episode: CCOT's rapid response modelThe patient’s condition weeks after allogenic transplantAnthony's assessment and what raised red flagsWhy early symptoms can get misread or minimizedHow Graft Versus Host Disease developsWhy emotional support is crucial to recoveryAcute vs. chronic Graft Versus Host DiseaseImportant early clues of Graft Versus Host DiseasePriority interventions for Graft Versus Host DiseaseHow Anthony’s app can help bedside nurses You can connect with Anthony or learn more about his apps here: https://thehumblenurse.com/ Mentioned in this episode: CONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/therapidresponsern ✅ Earn CE’s for listening to podcasts through RNegade: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/?ref=d9d541 SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE ⏱️ To get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com Rapid Response Academy Winter 2026 Cohort https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/rra

    28 min
  8. 30 JAN

    155: Rewinding the Clock: Teamwork That Prevents the Code, With Guest Dr. Oscar Mitchell

    You know those moments when something just “feels off?” That’s when you should trust your instincts and speak up because timing can completely change a patient’s outcome. In this episode, Sarah is joined by Dr. Oscar Mitchell, Associate Director of the Center for Resuscitation Science and Director of the Medical Rapid Response Team at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. They break down one septic shock case across two timelines: first, when rapid response is called early and there's still time to intervene, and later, when the patient is already crashing. You’ll hear what a calm, collaborative rapid response call looks like, which signs of deterioration should never be ignored, and how to effectively share your concerns with a provider. This episode is for anyone who might call a rapid response AND for those who respond to emergencies. Topics discussed in this episode: Introduction to the patient and the 5PM timelineWhat the ideal provider–nurse collaboration looks likeEarly signs of deterioration that were missedWhy some nurses hesitate to call rapid responseThe patient’s vitals at 10AM and why rapid response was calledWhy the documented respiratory rate might not be reliableWhy blood pressure can be misleadingSBAR and CUS frameworks for escalationDr. Mitchell’s research on delays in RRT activation and mortalityEarly warning signs you should never ignore Register for the REVIVE Conference and use code RAPID50 to get $50 off! https://www.revive-conference.com/ Check out Dr. Mitchell's research here:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36349290/ Mentioned in this episode: Rapid Response Academy Winter 2026 Cohort https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/rra

    44 min

About

Do you want to go from dreading emergencies to feeling confident and ready to jump into action to rescue your patient? Well, this show will let you see emergencies unfold through the eyes of a Rapid Response Nurse. With real life stories from the frontlines of nursing, host Sarah Lorenzini MSN, RN, CCRN, CEN, a Rapid Response Nurse and educator, shares her experiences at rapid response events and breaks down the pathophysiology, pharmacology, and the important role the nurse plays during emergencies. If you want to sharpen your assessment skills and learn how to think like a Rapid Response Nurse, then Sarah is here to share stories, tips, tricks, and mindsets that will prepare you to approach any emergency. Every episode is packed full of exactly what you need to know to handle whatever crisis that could arise on your shift. It’s one thing to get the right answer on the test, but knowing how to detect when YOUR patient is declining and what to do when YOUR patient is crashing is what will make or break your day… and might just save your patient’s life.

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