Heart & lung : the journal of critical care
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Effect of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for parents of high-risk neonates on perceived anxiety, control, and burden.
⋯ CPR training is an important intervention for promoting a sense of control and reducing the anxiety and sense of burden experienced by parents of neonates at risk for cardiopulmonary arrest.
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Review Case Reports
Pulmonary embolism presenting as syncope: case report and review of the literature.
Syncope as an initial presentation of pulmonary embolism occurs in about 10% of patients. A 68-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with syncope. A right lower lobe infiltrate was found on a chest x-ray film, and results of a ventilation-perfusion scan were interpreted to mean that a high probability of pulmonary embolism existed. ⋯ Syncope as a presenting symptom of pulmonary embolism is difficult to diagnose. Physicians must be vigilant with patients who have syncope, because this symptom may be the "forgotten sign" of life-threatening pulmonary embolism. The need for prompt diagnosis is clear, because with appropriate treatment the majority of patients may survive.
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Review
Monitoring neuromuscular blockade in the intensive care unit: the peripheral nerve stimulator.
Traditionally, neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) have been administered in the operating room as an adjunct to anesthetics. Recent studies in the United States have indicated that 98% of the anesthesiologists and critical care nurses surveyed use NMBAs at least occasionally. ⋯ Understanding the complexities of NMBAs and the absolute need for accurate monitoring techniques is imperative for clinicians. The purpose of this literature review is to evaluate current literature regarding monitoring techniques of NMBAs and to guide the advanced practice nurse's role in critical care.
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To determine factors that contributed to readmissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) from the general wards. ⋯ Preliminary results indicate that the appointment of the follow-up nurse has not only reduced the rate of readmissions to the ICU but also decreased the acuity levels of those readmitted.