American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Nursing care of patients with advanced heart failure with low ejection fraction requires strict management of IV fluids. Measurement of mixed venous oxygen saturation offers advantages over measurement of cardiac output because no administration of fluid is required and data are obtained continuously. ⋯ Similar correlations in the groups receiving and not receiving vasoactive medications suggest that even with pharmacological support, changes in mixed venous oxygen saturation may not be reflected by concomitant changes in cardiac output. Measurement of mixed venous oxygen saturation should not replace measurement of cardiac output for clinical decision making in patients with advanced heart failure with low ejection fraction.
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The purpose of the study was to describe the patterns of weaning from mechanical ventilation in young children recovering from acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. ⋯ Patterns of weaning are discernible in a population of young children and indicate a subset at risk for inconsistent weaning. Knowing the patterns of weaning may help clinicians anticipate, perhaps plot, and then modulate a patient's weaning trajectory.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Instillation of normal saline before suctioning in patients with pulmonary infections: a prospective randomized controlled trial.
To determine the effect of instillation of normal saline before suctioning on oxygen saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure in patients with pulmonary infections. ⋯ Instillation of normal saline before suctioning has an adverse effect on oxygen saturation and should not be used routinely in patients receiving mechanical ventilation who have pulmonary infection.