Apocalypse when? – Editorial – human destruction of the earth Christopher W. Bryan-Brown The Revelation of St. John the Divine (the last book in the New Testament of the Christian Bible), otherwise known as the Apocalypse, gives a dire forecast of what will happen to us on the Day of Judgment. To the casual reader, […]
Category: American Journal of Critical Care
Frequency and outcomes of transient myocardial ischemia in critically ill adults admitted for noncardiac conditions – Journal Club Feature Kathy J. Booker * BACKGROUND Critically ill adults admitted for noncardiac conditions are at risk for acute myocardial ischemia. * OBJECTIVES To detect myocardial ischemia and injury in patients admitted for noncardiac conditions and to examine […]
Evaluation of chemical dot thermometers for measuring body temperature of orally intubated patients Patricia Potter * BACKGROUND Recent research indicates that oral measurement of body temperature is a reliable option in orally intubated patients. In situations such as protective isolation, where dedicated electronic thermometers are not available, are single-use chemical dot thermometers an acceptable alternative? […]
Heart blocks – ECG Puzzler – second-degree atrioventricular block type II Mary G. Adams-Hamoda Scenario: A 73-year-old woman presents to the emergency department complaining of dizziness. Her last medical history includes coronary artery disease with controlled hypertension. She is currently under the care of a cardiologist. Interpretation: Second-degree atrioventricular (AV) block type II. Rationale In […]
Gastric tonometry and enteral nutrition: a possible conflict in critical care nursing practice Andrea P. Marshall * BACKGROUND Gastric tonometry is used to assess gastrointestinal mucosal perfusion in critically ill patients. However, enteral feeding is withheld during monitoring with gastric tonometry because enteral feeding is thought to influence tonometric measurements. * OBJECTIVES To examine the […]
An innovative educational initiative improves critical care nurses’ knowledge of hemodynamic monitoring – Poster Abstracts – Author Abstract H Schell Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess and improve critical care nurses’ knowledge of hemodynamic monitoring. Background: Hemodynamic monitoring using a pulmonary artery (PA) catheter is essential to surveillance by critical care nurses, […]
From theory to practice: preventing pain after cardiac surgery Jocelyn Reimer-Kent A pain management guideline was developed at the Royal Columbian Hospital, New Westminster, British Columbia, to prevent pain after cardiac surgery. The guideline was based on a wellness model and was predicated on the World Health Organization’s analgesic ladder. Patients are given nonopioids around […]
Resource utilization related to atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting – Cardiology Critical Care Marilyn Hravnak * BACKGROUND Studies of resource utilization by patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting have addressed only length of stay and bed charges. * OBJECTIVE To compare resource utilization between patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation […]
Quality of life in women with heart failure, normative groups, and patients with other chronic conditions – Cardiology Critical Care Mary S. Riedinger * BACKGROUND In the United States, 2.5 million women have heart failure, yet little is known about their quality of life. Because most studies included small samples of women, the results are […]
Comparison of 2 methods for postpyloric placement of enteral feeding tubes Sylvia Lenart * BACKGROUND Multiple techniques are available for postpyloric placement of feeding tubes. Administration of metoclopramide and air insufflation are easily accomplished at the bedside. Variable success rates have been reported for both procedures. * OBJECTIVES To determine which method, administration of 10 […]