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Unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) exposure, sometimes referred to as CO poisoning, is a serious threat to health and can have long-term effects on the neurological and respiratory systems. Patients who have been exposed can present to emergency departments (ED) with non-specific signs and symptoms, which makes it challenging to diagnose. This article describes the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, and ED management of patients with possible or confirmed low-level CO exposure. It is important for emergency nurses to recognise patients with unintentional CO exposure so that treatment is provided and measures taken to prevent further exposure., Competing Interests: None declared, (© 2021 RCN Publishing Company Ltd. All rights reserved. Not to be copied, transmitted or recorded in any way, in whole or part, without prior permission of the publishers.)

Starting work as a newly registered nurse in an emergency department can be a daunting experience. Some studies suggest there is a gap between what such nurses learn and how they put it into practice. This article examines the implementation of a practice-based learning programme, the Foundations of Emergency Practice, at four trusts across London to equip inexperienced nurses with the skills to practise safely and effectively.

The Emergency Department is an important contact point for people with mental health problems (Tobin et al. 1999, p. 2). The Barwon Health Emergency Department is no exception. Approximately 1000 clients per year, or 2.6% of the 38,000 people seen annually in the Barwon Health, Geelong Hospital Emergency Department present with a primary mental health complaint or associated issue. The triage scale used in the Emergency Department contained little guidance for the triage of clients with mental health problems. A triage scale specifically designed to highlight mental health emergencies was implemented and its impact on practice was assessed. Improvements in communication, nurses' confidence in triaging clients with mental health problems and time to intervention by mental health staff were made. This article describes the implementation and evaluation of a mental health triage scale and changes to practice that resulted.