Nursing in critical care
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Nursing in critical care · Sep 2006
ReviewCorrecting arterial blood gases for temperature: (when) is it clinically significant?
Interpreting arterial blood gases (ABGs) is a common practice in intensive care units. The use of the temperature correction facility, however, is not standardized, and the effects of temperature correction on the ABG result may affect the overall management of the patient. ⋯ The alpha-stat and pH-stat methods of blood gas analysis are presented, with arguments for and against using the temperature correction facility for blood gas analysis. The study concludes with recommendations for practice.
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Nursing in critical care · Sep 2006
Review Case ReportsReflection on a patient's airway management during a ward-based resuscitation.
The bag-valve-mask (BVM) system is a common adjunct used during adult resuscitation to ventilate the lungs and deliver oxygen to patients in cardiopulmonary arrest. Gastric inflation, regurgitation and aspiration are well-documented complications of BVM ventilation, which can have serious consequences for patients. ⋯ Although the evidence, as presented, for a reduction in bag size is convincing, there appears to be a problem that less regular users do not appear to be able to produce effective tidal volumes when using a smaller bag. If a reduced bag size is standardized, further research using a diverse group of health care workers with the BVM is required before a clear policy can be achieved. It is likely that training and practice will be shown to be important for nursing staff expected to use the smaller BVM.
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Nursing in critical care · Sep 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialThe effect of music listening on older adults undergoing cardiovascular surgery.
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of music listening on postoperative anxiety and intubation time in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Coronary artery disease and valvular heart disease affect approximately 15 million Americans and 5 million persons in the U. K. annually, with the majority of these patients being older adults. ⋯ Differences in mean intubation time were measured in both groups. Older adults who listened to music had lower scores on the state anxiety test (F = 5.57, p = .022) and had significantly fewer minutes of postoperative intubation (F = 5.45, p = .031) after cardiovascular surgery. Older adults undergoing cardiovascular surgery who listen to music had less anxiety and reduced intubation time than those who did not.
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Nursing in critical care · Sep 2006
Editorial ReviewSo hard to care...critical care nursing in Hellas.