Neonatal network : NN
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Neonatal network : NN · Nov 2010
Case ReportsNeonatal cardiac tamponade and pleural effusion resolved with chest tube placement.
Pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade secondary to umbilical venous catheterization are rare complications but potentially fatal. This article reports a case of cardiac tamponade and right pleural effusion secondary to transudation of hyperosmolar fluid from an appropriately placed umbilical venous catheter. ⋯ Umbilical venous catheterization should be considered only for a select group of sick neonates due to risks involved with these lines. When an umbilical venous catheter is placed, special precautions should be taken and maintenance guidelines followed.
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Neonatal network : NN · Nov 2010
Podcasts, webcasts, sims, and more: new and innovative ways for nurses to learn.
ADVANCES IN TECHNOLOGY HAVE expanded the educational tools and learning options available to today's nurses. Among these technologically enhanced tools and strategies are online learning, podcasts, vodcasts, webcasts, webinars, discussion forums, mobile learning, realistic simulations, and others. ⋯ The purpose of this first column is to provide an introduction to innovative teaching tools and strategies-some technologically enhanced, some not-including such nontechnological interactive educational activities as problem-based learning, games, and concept maps. Future columns will discuss many of these strategies in more detail.
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Neonatal network : NN · Sep 2010
NICU procedures are getting sweeter: development of a sucrose protocol for neonatal procedural pain.
Neonates in the neonatal intensive care nursery experience multiple, painful, tissue-damaging procedures daily. Pain among neonates is often underestimated and untreated, producing untoward consequences. A literature review established strong evidence supporting the use of sucrose as an analgesic for minor procedural pain among neonates. ⋯ Nursing practices surrounding sucrose use differed widely in dose, timing, and patient application. We carefully evaluated evidence documenting the effectiveness as well as the safety of sucrose administration and wrote a protocol and practice standards for our primarily premature patient population. This article describes the development and execution of a standardized, nurse-implemented, sucrose protocol to reduce procedural pain.
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Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome is a ventricular preexcitation that presents as supraventricular tachycardia. Health care professionals can attain optimal results in caring for infants with WPW syndrome by understanding both its pathophysiology and proper management to prevent and treat complications associated with it. This article reviews the prevalence, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic modalities, assessment, and management of WPW syndrome.