Critical Care Nursing

Definition of Respiratory Failure: The term respiratory failure is used when pulmonary gas exchange fails to maintain normal arterial Oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Clinical Feature of Respiratory Failure: 1. Features of hypoxemia: Systemic Hypotension, Pulmonary HTN. Tachycardia, tachypnoea, polycythaemia Cerebral dysfunction ranging from confusion to coma. 2. Features of hypercapnoea: Confusion, Warm periphery, Flapping […]

Definition of Coma or Comatose Patient: In medicine, coma is a state of unconsciousness in which a person: cannot be awakened, fails to respond normally too painful stimuli, light, or sound; lacks a normal wake-sleep cycle; and does not initiate voluntary actions. How Will You Assess The Comatose Patient? A. Immediate assessment of the patient:

Definition of Coma: Coma is a state of prolonged unconsciousness that can be caused by a variety of problems traumatic head injury, stroke, brain tumor, drug or alcohol intoxication, or even an underlying illness, such as diabetes or an infection. This article will present the main causes and nursing management of coma or comatose patient.

Evaluation or Assessment of Cardiac Arrhythmia Patient in ICU: 1. Assess for and report signs/symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias (e.g. irregular apical pulse, adult pulse rate below 60 or above 100 beats/ minute, apical- radial, pulse deficit, syncope, and palpitations). 2. Reduce cardiac workload: Position patient to minimizes discomfort and facilitate respiration. Minimize anxiety with calm

Cardiac Arrhythmia Definition: Cardiac arrhythmia may be defined as a clinical condition which occur when the electrical impulses that coordinate the heartbeats don’t work properly, causing the heart to beat too fast, too slow or irregularly. Risk Factors of Cardiac Arrhythmia: The following are possible risk factors for arrhythmia: Old age – the heart weakens

Definition of Cardiac Arrhythmia: Cardiac arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat- the heart may beat too fast (tachycardia), too slowly (bradycardia), too early (premature contraction), or irregularly (fibrillation. Arrhythmias occur when the electrical signals to the heart that coordinate heartbeats are not working properly. Types of Cardiac Arrhythmia: Tachycardia: A fast heart rhythm with a rate

Definitions of Chronic Renal Failure (CRF): Chronic Renal Failure refers to an irreversible deterioration in renal function which classically develops over a period of years. Common Causes of Chronic Renal Failure (CRF): 1. Congenital and inherited: Adult Polycystic kidney disease (APKD) Alport’s syndrome. 2. Vascular disease: Renal artery stenosis 3. HTN 4. Glomerular disease: IgA

Definition of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS): ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) may be defined as acute, diffuse pulmonary inflammatory response to either direct (via airway or chest trauma) or indirect blood-borne insults that originate from extra pulmonary pathology. It is frequently associated with other organ dysfunction (kidney, heart, gut, liver, coagulation) as a part

Definition of Angina Pectoris: Angina pectoris is a complex of ischaemic heart disease characterized by paroxysmal & usually recurrent attacks of sub sternal or precordial chest discomfort caused by transient (15 seconds to 15 minutes) myocardial ischaemia. Types of Angina Pectoris: 1. Stable/ typical classical exertional: It occurs due to reduction of coronary perfusion by

Definition of Ventricular Fibrillation (VE): Ventricular fibrillation is ventricular arrhythmia characterized by very rapid and irregular, 1netfective &uncoordinated ventricular activation with no mechanical effect. It is the commonest causes of sudden death. Causes of Ventricular Fibrillation (VE): It includes- Acute MI, Electrolyte imbalance especially hypokalemia, Electrocution, Drug overuse (Digitalis & adrenaline), Clinical Features of Ventricular