Acute Kidney Injury Formerly known as acute renal failure, acute kidney injury (AKI) is a reversible rapid reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or kidney function, resulting in an increase in serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and metabolic waste...

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Analysis The arterial blood gas (ABG) measures the acid-base balance (pH) and oxygenation of an arterial blood sample. An ABG is a tool used to assess respiratory compromise and medical conditions that cause metabolic abnormalities (such as sepsis...

Assessing Fall Risk and Reducing Falls in the Elderly More than one in four American adults 65 years of age and older have reported falling and one in five sustain a severe fall-related injury, including fractures and traumatic brain injuries (CDC, 2021). Falls account for 56% of injury-related...

Assessment and Management of Stroke In the United States, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023). Early identification, evaluation and treatment of stroke reduces motor and cognitive...

Atropine Sulfate Atropine is an anticholinergic drug that blocks the action of acetylcholine at parasympathetic sites in smooth muscle, secretory glands, and the central nervous system (CNS). It increases cardiac output and dries secretions. It is a competitive...

Caring for the Mechanically Ventilated Patient Mechanical ventilation is utilized in intensive care and long-term care settings to assist patients who require additional respiratory support. This handy reference guide provides critical patient care essentials, tips for trouble-shooting...

Complications of Central Vascular Access Devices Central vascular access devices, or central venous access devices (CVADs), are fundamental in the nursing care of the critically ill, those with chronic conditions (oncological needs, renal failure), and emergency care. CVADs include central...

Differentiating Delirium, Dementia, and Depression Elderly patients are at high risk of mood and cognitive impairments such as depression, delirium and dementia. Delirium is an acute, transient and reversible cause of brain dysfunction, usually triggered by one or more precipitating factors...

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious condition in which coagulation and fibrinolysis are unusually triggered, resulting in continuous clotting, bleeding and/or thrombosis (Leung, 2023). DIC, also known as consumption...

Enteral Nutrition Hospitalized patients who are unable to eat for extended periods of time require an alternative source of nutrition which can be provided in both enteral (intestinal) and parenteral (non-intestinal) liquid forms. This pocket card provides an...

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used for both cardiac and pulmonary failure when conventional measures (i.e., mechanical ventilation, intraaortic balloon pump) are inadequate to support life. While not a cure for the underlying...

General Assessment Focused general assessment begins with taking a health history regarding constitutional symptoms. This examination involves a general survey of the patient, measurement of vital signs, and pain assessment.Optimal Patient PositioningExamine the...