Articles: critical-care.
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Although nurses are accountable for pain management, it cannot be assumed that they are well informed about pain. Nurses' knowledge base underlies their pain management; therefore, it is important to measure their knowledge. ⋯ Testing nurses' knowledge of pain indicated gaps that can be addressed through educational interventions. Research is needed in which the test developed for this study is used as both pretest and posttest in an intervention study with pediatric critical care nurses or is modified for use with nurses in other clinical areas.
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The main goal of intensive care of potential organ donors includes the maintenance of the organs' function with respect to their integrity after transplantation. Profound disturbances of cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrinological function may lead to early organ loss. Therefore, comprehensive therapy is required from the onset of brain death. The major dysfunctions and therapeutic goals in organ donors are summarized on the basis of current literature and our own findings.