Heart & lung : the journal of critical care
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Review Comparative Study
Determination of oral temperature accuracy in adult critical care patients who are orally intubated.
To determine whether sublingual temperatures are accurate in adult critical care patients with an oral endotracheal tube in place. ⋯ Sublingual and pulmonary artery temperature measurements of adult critical care patients who were orally intubated consistently showed close agreement during a thermally dynamic 8-hour period after open-heart surgery.
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To determine if the phlebostatic axis (PA) can be used to obtain reproducible central venous pressures (CVP) in laterally positioned critically ill patients. ⋯ Of the three leveling procedures, the supine PA yielded the most reproducible CVP measures. However, further studies are required before the supine PA can be recommended as a valid and reliable transducer position for CVP measurement in laterally positioned patients.
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To determine what events are perceived as most stressful to patients in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). ⋯ Overall stress associated with specific events during a short stay in the SICU was minimal. Intubation and inability to communicate were the most stressful experiences.