Intensive & critical care nursing : the official journal of the British Association of Critical Care Nurses
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Irrespective of the immersion medium, the primary consequence of any near drowning episode is hypoxemia and resultant hypoxia. The gravest consequence of hypoxia is cerebral insult. ⋯ Nursing and medical care should be directed towards reversal of hypoxemia and cerebral salvage with this factor in mind, rather than expectation of relatively rare sequelae. This article reviews the pathophysiology of near drowning and contemporary trends in its treatment.
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Intensive Crit Care Nurs · Feb 1995
ReviewThe sedation of patients in intensive care units: a nursing review.
The aim of maintaining optimal levels of sedation in critically ill patients is an important concern of intensive care nurses. In addition, the specific requirements of patients are individual and will vary according to the severity of their illness and/or supportive treatment that they may be undergoing (Hopkinson & Freeman 1988). ⋯ This is followed by consideration of what is meant by optimal levels of sedation, a review of past and current sedation practice and the importance of nurses assessing the depth of sedation of the critically ill patients within their care. Key points are raised, with recommendations for future nursing practice.