Critical care nurse
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Critical care nurse · Jun 2019
ReviewUsing Valid and Reliable Tools for Pain and Sedation Assessment in Pediatric Patients.
Pain management and sedation strategies have become more complex in recent years, with accompanying documented increases in morbidity and mortality. Consequently, various government agencies and professional associations have issued requirements or recommendations designed to ensure optimal and safe pain management in different populations. The pediatric nurse must understand the rationale behind these guidelines, which pain and sedation assessment tools are valid and reliable, how and when to use these tools, and the purpose and limitations of each tool. This article summarizes the recent recommendations, identifies valid and reliable pediatric pain and sedation assessment tools, and describes the appropriate use of these tools to provide safe and high-quality patient care.
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Critical care nurse · Jun 2019
Family Surrogate Decision-making in Chronic Critical Illness: A Qualitative Analysis.
Caring for an adult with chronic critical illness is a difficult undertaking. Family surrogates are tasked with decision-making on behalf of their loved one, particularly during acute-on-chronic illness episodes. Critical care nurses are well positioned and well qualified to facilitate this process. ⋯ Results support recent recommendations of the National Academy of Medicine that endorsed shared decision-making. Data also support development of more effective team communication and decision support strategies, particularly addressing consistency and continuity. Critical care nurses can use their expertise to positively influence these outcomes.
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Critical care nurse · Jun 2019
ReviewImproving Family Intensive Care Unit Experiences at the End of Life: Barriers and Facilitators.
Experiencing the end of life of a family member in the intensive care unit is clearly difficult. An important role of critical care nurses is to help family members through this challenging period. ⋯ Facilitators include specific aspects of communication, the nurse's role as the coordinator of care, bereavement care, promoting a "good death," and caring for health care providers. Barriers include medical uncertainty and differences in values and culture.
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Critical care nurse · Jun 2019
Letter Comparative StudyTransfusion of Red Blood Cells During and After Cardiovascular Surgery.