You are asked to see a hypotensive surgical patient, but the nurse cannot contact the surgical intern and colleagues say the patient is not your responsibility. What should you do?

You are asked to see a hypotensive surgical patient, but the nurse cannot contact the surgical intern and colleagues say the patient is not your responsibility. What should you do?

• A. See the patient ASAP and ensure they are stable, continuing to try to reach the surgical intern
• B. Wait for the intern to become available
• C. Delegate to a nurse to manage alone
• D. Do nothing until the intern is reached

Answer: (A)

When a patient is hypotensive and unstable, the priority is to protect the patient and act promptly. If the surgical intern cannot be reached and colleagues say the case isn’t yours, you still have a duty to ensure the patient is stabilized and safe while you seek the appropriate supervision. Start with a rapid assessment and basic stabilization: monitor the patient, secure airway and breathing if needed, establish IV access, and administer fluids or other measures within your competence, while simultaneously escalating help from senior staff, anesthesia, or the intensive care team. Persist in trying to contact the surgical intern or the on-call surgeon to arrange definitive management. Do not delay care or hand over full responsibility to a nurse without appropriate scope, and do not do nothing. After stabilizing, document actions and ensure continuous communication with the responsible team as soon as possible.

When a patient is hypotensive and unstable, the priority is to protect the patient and act promptly. If the surgical intern cannot be reached and colleagues say the case isn’t yours, you still have a duty to ensure the patient is stabilized and safe while you seek the appropriate supervision. Start with a rapid assessment and basic stabilization: monitor the patient, secure airway and breathing if needed, establish IV access, and administer fluids or other measures within your competence, while simultaneously escalating help from senior staff, anesthesia, or the intensive care team. Persist in trying to contact the surgical intern or the on-call surgeon to arrange definitive management. Do not delay care or hand over full responsibility to a nurse without appropriate scope, and do not do nothing. After stabilizing, document actions and ensure continuous communication with the responsible team as soon as possible.