Take a Cool Look at Therapeutic Hypothermia
Nursing2011, September 2011Therapeutic hypothermia can help prevent or minimize neurologic impairment after cardiac arrest. This article takes a look at inclusion and exclusion criteria as well as nursing care for patients undergoing this intervention.
Understanding Pacemaker Rhythms, Part 1
Nursing2011 Critical Care, July 2011Review the basics of pacemaker devices and normal pacemaker rhythms on the ECG. Brush up on your knowledge of common modes of pacing and when they are used. This article also includes a great explanation of how pacemakers keep time.
Nurses' Educational Needs for Pain Management of Post-Cardiac Surgery Patients: A Qualitative Study
Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, July/August 2011This study aimed to identify nurses' learning needs to prepare patients for managing pain before and after discharge home from cardiac surgery. The data will be used to develop an education intervention for nurses to help cardiac surgical patients with more effective pain management strategies
Heart Beats: Responding to Pulseless Electrical Activity
Nursing2011 Critical Care, July 2011Pulseless electrical activity, or PEA, is considered a fatal arrhthymia. It is responsible for 68% of all monitored in-hospital deaths and 10% of all in-hospital patient deaths. Don’t miss this great article with a handy chart of causes, assessment findings, and treatments.
Heart Matters: Saving Hearts with Coronary Angioplasty
Nursing Made Incredibly Easy!, September/October 2011Learn the answers to all your patients’ questions about coronary angioplasty. After reading this article, you’ll have a thorough understanding of pre-procedure preparation, risks and benefits, post-procedure care, and follow-up.