146: From Alveoli to Aftermath: The Science and Humanity of Pediatric Drowning Care with ER Nurse Amber

Listen to this episode from Rapid Response RN on Spotify. This is one of those cases that tests you in every way as a nurse. A toddler is pulled out of a pool and rushed to the ER, unresponsive and deteriorating fast. Today, Nurse Amber walks us through the critical moments that followed and how this case inspired her to turn her grief into a positive resource for nurses.We discuss what was going on at the alveolar level in this patient, the interventions Amber and her team performed, and the emotional aftermath of working on critical pediatric patients. You’ll learn what to prioritize, the signs of deterioration that can show hours after rescue, and how to recognize what Sarah calls the “inflammatory cascade of awfulness.”This episode is an honest breakdown of both the science and humanity of drowning care. Don’t miss this story!Topics discussed in this episode:Initial assessment of the patientFirst treatment priorities: ventilation, airway, and warmingThe pathophysiology of drowningMisconceptions about suctioning in drowning patientsThe nurse’s role: documentation and respiratory managementPatient monitoring and signs of deteriorationThe emotional burden of pediatric fatalitiesHow the Get Vitals app supports nurses’ mental healthLearn more about the Get Vitals app:Website - www.getvitals.careInstagram -@getvitalsnowMentioned in this episode:Join Rapid Response Academy Fall 2025 Cohort!Click here to learn more: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/rraListen to the In The Heart of Care Podcasthttps://link.cohostpodcasting.com/6598429e-e927-45b0-9b57-7dd34a09d803?d=seASyqjs7CONNECT 📸 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