Emergencies and resuscitation

How to call a rapid response with an early warning score

Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.

MD / DOPANursing (NCLEX)
Practice it in VR with Blocky

Most patients show warning signs hours before arrest. Early warning scores help you call early.

Step by step

  1. Score

    Breathing rate, saturation, temperature, blood pressure, pulse, consciousness. [1]

  2. Triggers

    High score, or any acute change: breathing under 8 or over 28, pulse under 40 or over 130, systolic below 90, saturation below 90%, new confusion. [1]

  3. Worry counts

    Call if you are worried even without numbers. [1]

  4. Call with SBAR

    Clear, short, with a request. [2]

  5. While waiting

    Stay, oxygen, monitor, IV access, prepare. [1]

  6. Document

    Times and actions. [1]

Common errors

Practice it in VMS

In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.

VMS cases that train this skill

Sources

  1. The Joint Commission, National Patient Safety Goals
  2. AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs)
  3. NASEMSO National Model EMS Clinical Guidelines
  4. NREMT psychomotor skill sheets (EMT and Paramedic)

Facts and steps follow NASEMSO National Model EMS Clinical Guidelines; NREMT psychomotor skill sheets (EMT and Paramedic). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.