Critical care nurse
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Provision of nutritional support to critically ill patients can be challenging. Critical care nurses must be aware of which patients require specific nutritional support, when to initiate nutritional support, and by which route to provide nutritional support. ⋯ What to feed depends on the physiological state of the patient. Adjusting the nutrient composition of the feeding solution may prevent metabolic complications and may improve the overall outcome for the patient.
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Critical care nurse · Jun 2001
Use of nasal cannula versus face mask after extubation in patients after cardiothoracic surgery.
Continuous reevaluation of protocols for patients' care is necessary to maintain high quality and cost-effectiveness in today's healthcare environment. A study of patients who had cardiothoracic surgery proved that after early extubation, patients could safely be given oxygen via nasal cannula with maintenance of acceptable oxygen saturation. ⋯ Both patients and the institution benefit when we question why we do things and thoroughly evaluate our daily practice. All practitioners should always look for ways to change and improve practice for the betterment of patients.
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Critical care nurse · Jun 2001
ReviewUnderstanding chest radiographs of infants and children: the AIR systematic approach.
A plain radiograph of the chest is the most frequently requested radiological image in infants and children. Assessing chest radiographs of infants and children can be challenging because of the age-related differences in normal anatomic structures, the effect of inhalation and exhalation during the imaging, and the direction of rotation. An understanding of basic radiographic principles is necessary before beginning to interpret chest films of infants and children. Use of the AIR approach can help nurses begin to understand and assess chest radiographs of infants and children in an orderly and systematic manner.