Critical care nurse
-
Critical care nurse · Oct 2018
Automated Audiovisual Feedback in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training: Improving Skills in Pediatric Intensive Care Nurses.
High-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation is associated with improved survival and neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, health care professionals frequently do not perform resuscitation within guidelines after life-support training. ⋯ This training program in cardiopulmonary resuscitation yielded significant skill improvement and retention.
-
Critical care nurse · Oct 2018
Comparative StudyThe Intranasal Route as an Alternative Method of Medication Administration.
Intranasal drug administration is a less invasive method of drug delivery that is easily accessible for adult and pediatric patients. Medications administered by the intranasal route have efficacy comparable to intravenous administration and typically have superior efficacy to subcutaneous or intramuscular routes. ⋯ As the evidence for and comfort with intranasal administration continue to grow, guidance on correct technique, medications, and dosing is vital for appropriate use. This article reviews the process and practices of appropriate intranasal medication administration.
-
Critical care nurse · Oct 2018
Hyperlactatemia and Patient Outcomes After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.
Elevated serum lactate level, or hyperlactatemia, is often associated with alterations in tissue perfusion, increased risk for complications in the postoperative period, and patient mortality. Measuring lactate levels is a relatively simple and noninvasive method of obtaining useful data about an impending clinical deterioration in a seemingly hemodynamically stable patient. This article evaluates the current practice of measuring lactate levels in pediatric patients after cardiac surgery and the association between these levels and patient outcomes. The article addresses periods of increased risk for decreased perfusion, the critical postoperative period, use of lactate measurements in conjunction with a risk scoring system for pre-and postoperative congenital heart disease patients, and the implications of elevated lactate levels in nursing practice.