Dynamics (Pembroke, Ont.)
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Dynamics (Pembroke, Ont.) · Jan 2005
ReviewImproving pain management for critically ill and injured patients.
The under-treatment of pain continues to be a problem in patient care. Evidence shows a significant percentage of patients suffering with acute and chronic pain, despite the treatment options available. ⋯ As health care professionals, nurses have a responsibility to advocate for patients and provide the best pain management possible. Efforts to improve pain management will help avoid complications, such as chronic pain syndrome, while improving comfort, function, and quality of life.
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Hypothermia can result from exposure to a cold environment (e.g., accidental drowning) or it can be induced and used as a brain protection strategy (e.g., therapeutic hypothermia). One common ECG presentation with hypothermia is the J wave, which is related to the altered cellular activities during hypothermia. A case study is used in this article to illustrate the presentation of a J wave with a patient experiencing hypothermia.
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Dynamics (Pembroke, Ont.) · Jan 2005
ReviewThe role of the critical care nurse in improving quality of life in ICU survivors.
In ICU survivors, QOL is a dynamic term that identifies to what extent a critical illness has affected one's life. As an outcome measure, QOL has been studied in ICU survivors over the last few years. Researchers suggest that QOL is poor following ICU admission, and identify specific QOL issues that ICU survivors deal with, mostly related to physical functioning. The critical care nurse's role is to better QOL by improving the ICU survivor's transition into the post-ICU period through improved mobility, good management of sedation, pain, sleep and, most importantly, discharge planning.
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Dynamics (Pembroke, Ont.) · Jan 2005
Developing leadership skills in critical care nurses: a case scenario--part two.
During a recent CACCN board meeting, directors were challenged with developing an approach to a difficult case scenario. In a situation in which a group of nurses have angered some of the other nurses who work in the same unit, the directors were asked to identify core problems and suggest possible solutions and potential barriers to this problem. ⋯ A number of possible solutions and the associated strengths and weaknesses, as well as the barriers to implementing the solutions were identified. In summary, critical care nurses must continue to advocate and lead the way toward strong leadership, modeling of appropriate behaviour and effective communication--all of which contribute to stronger team development and, ultimately, result in better, safer patient care.