Critical care nurse
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Critical care nurse · Aug 2018
The Patient's Perspective of the Intensive Care Unit Diary in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit.
Many patients who survive an intensive care unit admission develop post-intensive care syndrome and face significant long-term physical, cognitive, and mental health impairments. The intensive care unit diary is a reality-sorting tool that is effective in aiding patients to connect their flashbacks and delusional memories to actual events. ⋯ The intensive care unit diary can help patients gain clarity of their time in the cardiac intensive care unit. Additional research on the use of the diary and long-term patient follow-up is warranted.
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Critical care nurse · Aug 2018
Pediatric Delirium in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit: Identification and Intervention.
Delirium is characterized by transient behavioral manifestations of acute brain disturbances. Delirium in the intensive care unit has been well researched and documented in the adult population. Pediatric delirium research has lagged, but recent developments in screening tools have shed light on the prevalence of delirium among children. ⋯ This article is intended to increase awareness of delirium in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit and give nurses the tools to identify it and intervene when necessary. A definition of delirium is provided, and its prevalence, risk factors, and current knowledge are reviewed. Available screening tools and environmental and pharmacological interventions are explored.