Dimensions of critical care nursing : DCCN
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Dimens Crit Care Nurs · Jan 2008
Comparative StudyComparing tympanic temperatures in both ears to oral temperature in the critically ill adult.
Tympanic temperatures are often used in the critical care units to measure core body temperatures when pulmonary artery catheters are not available. This study was conducted to compare tympanic temperatures in the right and left ear with oral temperatures. The findings of this study show that choosing the optimal site for each patient and using patient-specific site consistently would result in better tracking of changes in temperature and, thus, timely diagnosis of fever.
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Strokes are the leading cause of long-term, serious disability. A variety of identifiable risk factors exists for the development of a stroke. ⋯ The presence of a patent foramen ovale, a flaplike opening of the atrial septum between the septum primum and secundum, contributes to a 40% to 56% incidence of a cryptogenic stroke. This article reviews the pathophysiology of a patent foramen ovale, the diagnostic tests, and nurse's awareness of the potential etiology of a stroke in a younger individual.
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Hundreds of lives are now being saved in hospitals across the country with the use of rapid response teams. These teams are composed of clinicians who bring critical care expertise to the patient bedside. The purpose of these teams is to assess and stabilize the patient, assist with communication among the interdisciplinary care providers, educate and support the staff caring for the patient, and assist with transfer of the patient if necessary. ⋯ The results from the study demonstrated a decrease in the percent of codes outside the critical care units. However, it did not show a decrease in overall mortality rates for the patients. Data review will continue as we strive to improve our overall mortality rates while maintaining a decrease in the amount of codes.
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Unfortunately, the frequency of plagiarism is increasing in the nursing profession. We are encouraged to write, especially those of us in academia, and we all live very active lives. Pressure to publish, especially when coupled with lack of time, can lead to plagiarism, whether inadvertent or not. This article will discuss the problem of plagiarism and provide tips on how to avoid it in your own work.