Critical care nurse
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Critical care nurse · Feb 2020
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of Eye Masks on Pain and Sleep Quality in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Impaired sleep is a common complaint among patients undergoing major surgery and may be a contributing factor in postoperative pain. The provision of eye masks to patients after cardiac surgery may reduce postoperative pain through improvements in sleep quality. ⋯ Nocturnal eye masks are a simple, low-risk, low-cost intervention that may contribute to reductions in perceived pain in cardiac surgery patients.
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Critical care nurse · Feb 2020
Protecting Patient Safety and Preventing Modifiable Complications After Acute Ischemic Stroke.
Protecting patient safety and preventing modifiable complications after acute ischemic stroke. ⋯ Stroke physiology and stroke-specific interventions that can enable nurses to reduce the risk of falls, dysphagia, malnutrition, dehydration, altered glucose metabolism, device-related infections, aspiration pneumonia, delirium, and depression.
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Critical care nurse · Feb 2020
Intra-abdominal Hypertension and the Open Abdomen: Nursing Guidelines From the Abdominal Compartment Society.
Intra-abdominal hypertension has been identified as an independent risk factor for death in critically ill patients. Known risk factors for intra-abdominal hypertension indicate that intra-abdominal pressures should be measured and monitored. ⋯ The purpose of this article is to describe assessments and interventions for managing intra-abdominal hypertension and open abdomen that are within the scope of practice for direct-care nurses. These guidelines provide direction to critical care nurses caring for these patients.
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Critical care nurse · Feb 2020
Case ReportsCardiac Surgery: Beyond Conventional Sternotomy With Cardiopulmonary Bypass.
Minimally invasive cardiac surgery options, which originated with off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and aortic valve procedures, continue to evolve in order to address complex conditions, including those requiring mitral and tricuspid valve repair. Although these procedures are primarily indicated for high-risk patient populations, favorable patient outcomes have resulted in recommendations being expanded to include intermediate-risk groups. This article increases nursing-related knowledge of minimally invasive cardiac procedures, providing an overview of current minimally invasive cardiac surgeries and their associated risks and benefits.