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Knowing when a patient is in respiratory distress and will likely be intubated is a key skill you will use regularly as a nurse. Nurses in all settings come into contact with patients who decompensate, and knowing when you need to intervene can mean the difference between life and death.
In this episode, we’ll talk about:

  • Normal respiratory findings
  • The general signs of respiratory compromise
  • The process of emergent intubation
  • What medication to avoid if your patient is hyperkalemic
  • Care of the patient after intubation

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FREE CLASS – If all you’ve heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES…you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life!

Study Sesh – Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh! 

Med Surg Solution – Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides. 

Episode 237 – Want to learn more about conducting a respiratory assessment? Take a deep dive into this key skill in Episode 237.

Episode 137 – Learn more about acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in Episode 137.

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Last Updated on June 8, 2025 by Maureen Osuna, MSN, RN