Critical care nursing quarterly
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At least 1 in 5 Americans die while using intensive care service-a number that is expected to increase as society ages. Many of these deaths involve withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining therapies. In these situations, the role of intensive care nurses shifts from providing aggressive care to end-of-life care. ⋯ Colaizzi's steps for data analysis were used to identify themes within the context of nursing. Three major themes consisted of (1) barriers to optimal care, (2) internal conflict, and (3) coping. Providing terminal care creates significant personal and professional struggles among ICU nurses.
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Emergency department registered nurses treat victims of violent acts because the emergency department is usually the initial area of treatment. The nursing care of gunshot wound victims includes not only physical and immediate needs but also forensic and anticipated needs. The purpose of this article is to describe 3 types of gunshot wound forensic evidence and the nurses' roles when treating victims of gunshot wounds.