British journal of nursing (Mark Allen Publishing)
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Acute kidney injury can occur with patients within the hospital and within the community setting. The term acute kidney injury replaces the previous recognized term acute renal failure in the literature and uses two internationally recognized classification systems. ⋯ The nursing care of acute kidney injury is challenging and multifaceted as the patient can be critically ill and requires constant monitoring. It is therefore vital that nurses understand what acute kidney injury is, and the management of it in order to deliver holistic care to the patient concerned.
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All nurses should possess core critical assessment skills in order to appropriately assess critically ill patients. It is anticipated that the possession of these core skills will enable nurses to appropriately assess and identify those patients who are at risk of deterioration. By comprehensively assessing individual patients and identifying problems early, nurses can initiate specific interventions that may stabilize and improve patient outcomes and help prevent unnecessary intensive care unit admission.
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The need to obtain family consent is a major barrier to organ procurement. Helen Noble discusses whether mandated choice for organ donation could work.
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Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in pregnancy is a very rare occurrence. However, statistics indicate high mortality rates, with a maternal death rate at 20-37%. Nursing and medical care of AMI in pregnancy is a very complex issue. ⋯ Recommendations need to be implemented across multiple nursing settings. There is a need for both national and international guidelines on care of this type of patient. There is also a need for policies to be in place and links within the hospital setting and the community.