Rapid Response RN

Sarah Lorenzini
  • 4.9 (476)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

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. Sep 18

    166: When the Mitral Valve Breaks: Papillary Muscle Rupture After MI

    "I feel like I'm drowning." Four days after a STEMI, a patient who had been recovering well is sitting bolt upright, coughing up pink, frothy sputum, and unable to catch his breath. In this episode, Sarah walks you through a worst-case scenario complication every cardiac nurse needs on their radar: post-MI papillary muscle rupture causing acute, severe mitral regurgitation. This is one of those zebra diagnoses that you may never see... but if you do, recognizing it early is what gets your patient to the OR alive. Sarah breaks down the pathophysiology behind the patient's sudden deterioration, the clues that will help you catch a mechanical complication, and how to treat the patient — including which medications help (or backfire), and where BiPAP and mechanical support fit in. Topics discussed in this episode: Case presentation: sudden respiratory distress 4 days post-STEMIMitral valve anatomy and the role of the papillary musclesWhy mechanical complications happen days after an MIAcute vs. chronic mitral regurgitationWhy the lungs flood while the organs starveWhy murmurs can be misleadingBiPAP and the risks of intubating a patient in shockAfterload reduction vs. norepinephrineWhen Lasix helps and when it doesn'tMechanical circulatory support: IABP, Impella, and VA-ECMOHow to communicate with a frightened patient

  2. Jul 15

    165: Breaking the Storm Part 2: Antiarrhythmics, Sympathetic Blockade, and the Emerging Role of Esmolol

    The shock worked. The rhythm converted. And then V-fib came right back. Now what? Part two of this series explores the physiology and pharmacology driving recurrent V-fib so you can respond confidently when shocks aren’t enough. You'll learn how the body's sympathetic nervous system response keeps the heart unstable, why epinephrine can both help and hurt, when to reach for lidocaine over amiodarone, and what the research says about the emerging role of esmolol to target the storm itself (not just the arrhythmia). Topics discussed in this episode: The sympathetic nervous system and cardiac arrestWhy epinephrine both helps and hurtsAmiodarone vs. lidocaine: which is better?Key findings from the ROC-ALPS trialWhy antiarrhythmics don't replace defibrillationThe evidence behind esmolol in refractory V-fib3 lessons for codes when ACLS isn't enough

  3. Jul 12

    BONUS EPISODE: Rapid Response Calls That Never Should Have Happened from the Nurse Gwenny Podcast

    This special episode was recorded and released on the Nurse Gwenny Podcast. We talked about some of those early signs of deterioration that are often missed and how we can speak up and advocate before the patient crashes. Check out this episode and so many more over at the Nurse Gwenny Podcast And, you can join the Nurse Gwenny Library to earn CE credits for listening to the show! Use code: rapidresponsern to get a discount on your membership: https://library.nursegwenny.com/bundles/nurse-gwenny-library-membership

  4. Jun 19

    164: Electrical Storm Part 1:The Pathophysiology of Ventricular Storm and the Science of Defibrillation

    Sometimes V-fib doesn't respond to the shock at all. Sometimes it converts and comes right back. Those are two completely different problems. In this episode, Sarah breaks down the science behind why defibrillation fails, how to recognize the difference between refractory and recurrent V-fib, and respond when shocks aren't working. You'll learn how to start approaching the electrical storm at the bedside — that means understanding transthoracic impedance, optimizing your pad placement, and knowing when to reach for double sequential defibrillation. Topics discussed in this episode: Refractory vs. recurrent V-fibThe physiology of ventricular fibrillation and re-entry tachycardiasMisconceptions about defibrillationTransthoracic impedance and how to reduce itAnterior-lateral vs. anterior-posterior pad placementDouble sequential defibrillation: evidence and objectionsKey findings from the DOSE VF trial American Heart Association. (2025). 2025 American Heart Association guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care. Circulation. Cheskes, S., Dorian, P., Feldman, M., McLeod, S., Scales, D. C., Pinto, R., Turner, L., Morrison, L. J., Drennan, I. R., & Verbeek, P. R. (2020). Double sequential external defibrillation for refractory ventricular fibrillation: The DOSE VF pilot randomized controlled trial. Resuscitation, 150, 178–184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2020.02.010 D. Hasegawa, A. Sharma, Y. I. Lee, & R. Sato. (2023). A systematic review and meta-analysis of esmolol for refractory ventricular fibrillation and pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Chest, 164(4 Suppl.), A1568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2023.07.1077 International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation. (2025). 2025 International Consensus on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care Science With Treatment Recommendations (CoSTR).

  5. May 29

    163: Nurse Gwenny Takes Over the Podcast

    Imagine being able to cut your hospital's code blue events outside of critical care in HALF in just six months. That's exactly what happened when Sarah built her hospital's rapid response team from the ground up. Nurse Gwenny takes over the show to find out how she did it, from the pitch that got the program started to the skills that actually matter on rapid response teams. She also shares what disqualifies a candidate even when the resume is perfect, why so few resources exist for rapid response training, and how she’s filling that gap herself. Whether you're hoping to start a rapid response program at your hospital or just want to feel more confident the next time you call one, this episode is for you. Topics discussed in this episode: How Sarah became a rapid response nurseThe backstory behind the Rapid Response RN PodcastThe impact of having a rapid response teamHow you can start a rapid response programRapid response education and (lack of) resourcesHiring red flags that override a strong resumeSoft skills nursing school never teachesTrusting nursing intuition when vitals look fine Join the Nurse Gwenny Library to earn CE credits for listening to the show! Use code: rapidresponsern to get a discount on your membership: https://library.nursegwenny.com/bundles/nurse-gwenny-library-membership

  6. May 9

    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/

  7. Apr 24

    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!

  8. Apr 10

    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

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4.9
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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.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Lorenzini
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    171
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Sarah Lorenzini
  • Show Website
    Rapid Response RN

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