Managing Alcohol Withdrawal in Hospitalized Patients
Nursing2012, April 2012A focused nursing assessment is critical in identifying the potential for alcohol withdrawal symptoms in all hospitalized patients. This article discusses how to assess patients at risk and how to use these assessment findings as a basis for nursing interventions.
Recognizing and Preventing Acute Kidney Injury
Nursing2012 Critical Care, March 2012Brush up on the RIFLE criteria for defining the stages of acute kidney injury and the three categories of AKI based on causes. Wonderful illustrations and graphics accompany this article and will enhance your learning.
Anticoagulation and Bleeding in Patients with Ventricular Assist Devices: Walking the Tightrope
AACN Advanced Critical Care, January/March 2012Anticoagulation is an important part of LVAD therapy; it requires meticulous management and monitoring for prevention of thromboembolic and bleeding events.
Management of a Patient with Severe Sepsis
Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, April/June 2012Severe sepsis and septic shock affect more than 700,000 people annually and represent approximately $17 billion annually in health care costs. This case presentation outlines the components of care identified in the literature in the early and ongoing management of patients with severe sepsis and septic shock.
Risk Factors Associated With Pressure Ulcer Development in Critically Ill Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Patients
Journal of Trauma Nursing, January/March 2012Findings from this retrospective cohort study provide information on risk factors associated with pressure ulcer development among SCI patients during the acute period of injury. By implementing preventative measures early, trauma nurses are in a key position to decrease the development of pressure ulcers and thus improve patient and organizational outcomes.