Critical care nurse
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Critical care nurse · Dec 2022
ReviewA Step Forward for Intensive Care Unit Patients: Early Mobility Interventions and Associated Outcome Measures.
Critical illness survivors have impairments across physical, psychological, and cognitive health domains known as post-intensive care syndrome. Although physical activity can improve outcomes across all health domains, most intensive care unit early mobility studies focus solely on physical outcomes. ⋯ Early mobility is primarily addressed objectively and unidimensionally, limiting understanding of the implications of early mobility for patients. Post-intensive care syndrome prevention begins in the intensive care unit; early mobility is a promising intervention for targeting multiple risk factors. Studies that measure outcomes in all health domains during or after early mobility are needed to better evaluate the comprehensive effects of early mobility.
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Despite repeated exposure to dying patients, critical care providers and nurses may not be familiar with palliative sedation. This case report describes a scenario in which palliative sedation therapy was considered for a patient dying in the intensive care unit. ⋯ Palliative sedation therapy may be needed for dying patients, such as those with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. The transition from curative to palliative measures often occurs in intensive care units but the ethical principles behind palliative sedation are not well understood by those providing care in these settings. It is vital that critical care nurses and providers be informed about available treatments for symptoms of dying patients, including palliative sedation.