Dimensions of critical care nursing : DCCN
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Dimens Crit Care Nurs · Jul 1998
Pre-existing variables and outcome of cardiac arrest resuscitation in hospitalized patients.
If critical care nurses and advanced practice nurses could identify patients with an increased risk of an unsuccessful outcome from cardiac arrest resuscitation in the hospital, such patients could be monitored with a heightened vigilance. This is the first nursing study to examine pre-existing variables and outcome of cardiac arrest resuscitation in hospitalized patients. The investigators found that heart rate and respiratory rate increased significantly 8 hours before the cardiac arrest in patients with an unsuccessful outcome of resuscitation.
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Dimens Crit Care Nurs · May 1998
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEnd-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring for weaning patients: a pilot study.
This research pilot study evaluates the usefulness of capnography for patients being weaned from mechanical ventilation in a medical intensive care unit (MICU). The hypothesis that capnography would allow for more rapid weaning from mechanical ventilation, and require fewer arterial blood gases (ABGs) during the process, was found to be untrue. Several implications for critical care nursing practices were derived from the literature review and findings of this study.
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Current technology provides a simple and reliable method for continuous monitoring of mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2). Assessment of this value represents an important vital sign for oxygen supply and demand balance for the critical care patient. Nurses can use SvO2 monitoring to assess outcomes of therapy.
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Few topics have generated as much controversy as visitation policies in critical care units. This national survey of nurses caring for acute myocardial infarction patients reveals that the number of nurses working in units with an open visiting policy has increased substantially. Open-ended responses reveal the complex judgement that goes into nurses' decisions about whether or not to allow visitors. This article offers managers, educators, advanced practice nurses, and bedside clinicians insight into the factors that nurses consider when making these decisions.
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The monitoring of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) is not a new practice, having been introduced to the United states in 1978. It is a modality where clinical application in critical care environments has been sporadic and plagued by the initial inadequacies of the technology. The critical care educator, manager, or advanced practice nurse can assist in identifying myths in practice and educate colleagues on the principles and application of capnography.