American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Noninvasive measurement of blood pressure in the forearm is used when the upper arm is inaccessible and/or when available blood pressure cuffs do not fit a patient's arm. Evidence supporting this practice is limited. ⋯ Noninvasive measurements of blood pressure in the forearm and upper arm cannot be interchanged in medical-surgical patients who are supine or in patients with the head of the bed elevated 45 degrees .
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Comparative Study
Detection of inadvertent airway intubation during gastric tube insertion: Capnography versus a colorimetric carbon dioxide detector.
In the medical intensive care unit at the University of Virginia Health System, capnography is used to detect end-tidal carbon dioxide to protect patients from inadvertent airway cannulation during placement of gastric tubes. ⋯ A colorimetric device is as accurate as capnography for detecting carbon dioxide during placement of gastric tubes.
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Withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy in intensive care units is increasing. Patients' families are intimately involved in this process because the patients are usually unable to participate. Little is known about family members' interactions with healthcare providers and the healthcare system during this process. ⋯ Patients' families need information, guidance, and support as the families participate in the process of withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy. The results of this study have important implications for clinical practice and future research.
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Numerous methods are used to measure and assess nutritional status of chronically critically ill patients. ⋯ In this sample, the variability in weaning progression and outcomes most likely reflects illness severity and complexity rather than nutritional status or nutritional therapies. Further studies are needed to determine the best methods to define nutritional adequacy and to evaluate nutritional status.