Critical care nurse
-
Critical care nurse · Feb 2021
Safety First: An Ambulation Protocol for Patients With Pulmonary Artery Catheters.
Patients with indwelling pulmonary artery catheters have historically been excluded from participating in early mobility programs because of the concern for catheter-related complications. However, this practice conflicts with the benefits accrued from early mobilization. ⋯ The use of a standardized ambulation protocol can successfully result in safe mobilization of patients with indwelling pulmonary artery catheters.
-
Critical care nurse · Feb 2021
Review Case ReportsSafety of Peripheral Administration of 3% Hypertonic Saline in Critically Ill Patients: A Literature Review.
Hyponatremia and neurocritical injury are life-threatening conditions requiring immediate management with consideration of the safety concerns related to peripheral intravenous administration of hypertonic solutions. Although a central intravenous catheter is the preferred route of administration, central intravenous catheters have many complications and can potentially delay medication administration in urgent situations. ⋯ Current recommendations to administer continuous infusions of 3% hypertonic saline through a central intravenous catheter should be reassessed. Peripheral intravenous administration can be used safely and effectively in patients in critical situations.
-
Critical care nurse · Feb 2021
ReviewNursing Interventions to Reduce Stress in Families of Critical Care Patients: An Integrative Review.
Having a family member admitted to an intensive care unit is a stressful experience that may lead to psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. ⋯ Nurses play a crucial role in helping to reduce the stress experienced by family members of intensive care unit patients.
-
Most basic dysrhythmia instruction concentrates on the fundamentals of cardiac rhythms and the criteria that make one dysrhythmia different from another. Over the past 2 decades, advances in treatment of acute coronary syndromes have made once-common dysrhythmias very rare. This article provides an overview of a few uncommon dysrhythmias (wide-QRS tachycardia, advanced atrioventricular block, sinoatrial exit block, and atrial fibrillation with complete heart block) that may be encountered when caring for patients with cardiac disorders.
-
Critical care nurse · Feb 2021
Observational StudyDexmedetomidine and Iatrogenic Withdrawal Syndrome in Critically Ill Children.
Iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome is a well-known adverse effect of sedatives and analgesics commonly used in patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the pediatric intensive care unit, with an incidence of up to 64.6%. When standard sedative and analgesic treatment is inadequate, dexmedetomidine may be added. The effect of supplemental dexmedetomidine on iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome is unclear. ⋯ In this study, supplemental dexmedetomidine had no preventive effect on iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome in patients receiving sedative treatment in the pediatric intensive care unit. The cumulative dose of midazolam was a significant risk factor for iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome.