Critical care nursing clinics of North America
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Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am · Sep 2000
ReviewManagement of disseminated intravascular coagulation.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a complex condition in which diffuse clotting and profuse hemorrhaging occur simultaneously. It is a serious, often fatal, condition that is estimated to occur in approximately 10% of all patients diagnosed with cancer. No single laboratory test is available that is absolutely diagnostic for DIC; however, several laboratory results, combined with certain clinical findings, will support the diagnosis. Despite the lack of a standardized protocol for clinical management, aggressive medical and nursing care can play a prominent role in the clinical outcome of the patient with DIC.
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Toxicity of the pulmonary region in persons with cancer can have singular or multidimensional causes. The seven distinct pulmonary toxicities are embolism, edema, pleural effusion, fibrosis, alveolitis, bronchiolitis obliterans, and radiation-induced pneumonitis. Although difficult to diagnose, all of these toxicities can be minimized by early assessment and immediate interventions. Astute nursing assessments and comprehensive treatment can make a difference in quality and quantity of life.
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Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am · Sep 2000
ReviewOpportunistic fungal infections in the critically ill.
Opportunistic fungal infections are increasingly common in acute care and now represent 10% to 15% of all nosocomial infections. Few references and clinical resources are readily available for nurses in planning care for these patients (as opposed to bacterial diseases, which are better known). Nurses must recognize patients at high risk for fungal infections and develop more detailed assessment plans that include orifice and breath sound assessments. They also must be familiar with antifungal therapies and the specialized nursing care required to administer them safely and with the best bioavailability.