Pulmonary

Act fast against anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis can kill within minutes unless the victim receives immediate treatment. Calling a rapid response team to the scene can avert disaster.

Benefits of exercise training in heart failure

Exercise training reduces the risk for subsequent all-cause mortality or all-cause hospitalization in women by 26%, compared with 10% in men, according to a study in JACC: Heart…

Caring for patients in respiratory failure

Respiratory failure is one of the most common reasons for admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and a common comorbidity in patients admitted for acute care. What’s…

CDC provides resources related to MERS-CoV

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released infection prevention and control recommendations related to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). As of July 12, no…

Challenging nursing’s sacred cows

Do you routinely instill normal saline solution into endotracheal tubes before suctioning? Use only the Glasgow Coma Scale for neurologic assessment? Evidence on these and other sacred cows…

Decoding the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve

Mrs. Glenn, a 72-year-old female on a medical-surgical floor, was hospitalized 3 days ago for pneumonia. Since her admission, she has been on continuous pulse oximetry and is…

Derailing potentially deadly dehydration

When a dehydrated patient falls into a stupor and her vital signs head south, a rapid response team can help unit nurses stabilize her quickly – and avoid…

Dodging a trach tragedy

When a patient’s O2 Sat falls and subcutaneous neck edema arises, adroit troubleshooting identifies the cause.

Does your workplace culture need CPR?

If you suspect your workplace culture is “ill,” assessment is a crucial first step. Using an established assessment tool can help ensure more thorough data collection.

Drugs Today – November 2008

Web Exclusive! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals at www.AmericanNurseToday.com/journal.

FDA approves new COPD treatment

On July 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Tudorza Pressair (aclidinium bromide) for the long-term maintenance treatment of bronchospasm in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary…

FDA approves new device for asthma

On April 27, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first medical device that uses radiofrequency energy to treat severe and persistent asthma in adults. The Alair…

FDA approves new drug for COPD

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved roflumilast, an oral drug that reduces exacerbations from severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Read more at http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm244989.htm

FDA approves treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Xalkori (crizotinib) to treat patients with late-stage non-small cell lung cancers who express the abnormal anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)…

FDA approves Zykadia for NSCLC

On April 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zykadia for patients with a certain type of late-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Read more.

Keeping asthma at bay

NIH has updated its guidelines on asthma diagnosis and treatment. Learn how to help your asthma patients lead fuller lives.

Keeping asthma at bay

NIH has updated its guidelines on asthma diagnosis and treatment. Learn how to help your asthma patients lead fuller lives.

Letters to the Editor – July 2007

Oversight not needed As a recent graduate of a nurse practitioner (NP) program, I appreciated your article “Retail-based clinics: New option for nurses” in the March issue. You…

MERS resources from the CDC

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published information about Middle East Respiratory System (MERS) for healthcare professionals. The information includes interim guidance, case definitions, and…

Negative effects of ARDS linger

Five years after having acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), survivors still had not recovered to normal physical function, and many other physical and psychological problems persisted or developed…

Noninvasive ventilation makes a comeback

Although it’s not suitable for all patients, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation reduces many of the risks associated with mechanical ventilation.

Ozone-depleting inhalers to be phased out

On April 13, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced that seven metered-dose inhalers used for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will gradually be removed from the…

PA catheter controversy

Standard of care in the ICU – or object of overuse, abuse, and misuse? The authors explain why they believe PA catheter use may harm more critically ill…

Pertussis resurgence continues unabated

American Nurse Today…Online reported on the nationwide pertussis, or whooping cough, outbreak in June. Unfortunately, four months later, the updated news is not good. In California, where the…

Preparing for disaster

The power shuts down…the phones go dead…an explosion at a nearby nuclear power plant sends a dozen critically injured victims to your hospital. What actions should you take?…

Preventing airway obstruction

Complications of an anterior cervical fusion did not lead to an airway obstruction because of one nurse’s assessment skills and critical thinking.

Putting the breaks on pulmonary edema

I.V. fluids should help a dehydrated patient, but for one with a history of atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease, they could contribute to pulmonary edema. For Grace…

Quiz Time

A nurse working in the intensive care unit administers 100 mg of diazepam I.V. as ordered by the new resident. Although she checks on the patient often and…

Quiz time

Which sedation strategy for ICU patients on mechanical ventilation can help mitigate post-intensive care syndrome? a. Keep the patient heavily sedated. b. Use the lightest level of sedation…

Quiz Time

Which of the following is an advantage of a dry-suction chest drainage system? a. Lower levels of suction pressure b. Variable bubbling, which indicates proper functioning c. A…

Reversing opioid-induced respiratory depression

For a patient receiving high-dose opioids, frequent monitoring of the sedation level and quick intervention when that level increases stops respiratory depression from claiming another victim.

Suppressing a COPD flare-up

Nursing vigilance helps a patient with chronic obstructive oulmonary disease stave off respiratory failure.
estrogen women woman note

Take Note – August 2007

Good news for younger women taking estrogen     Estrogen therapy may have cardioprotective effects for women who start taking it in their 50s. A study from the Women’s Health…

Take Note – August 2008

Web exclusive! A monthly round-up of clinical and practice news and alerts at www.AmericanNurseToday.com
ibuprofen medication meds pills pill

Take Note – December 2006

CDC recommends HIV screening for everyone New recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) call for routine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening for all patients…
cpr family friend note

Take Note – February 2007

Low-carb diets don’t affect cardiac risk Although diets low in carbohydrates and high in fats and proteins have been popular for the last few years, some experts have…
flu shot kids note

Take Note – October 2006

CDC recommends annual flu shots for children ages 2 to 4 For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is endorsing yearly flu shots…

Take Note – Sept/Oct 2009

Patients lose when nurse staffing is insufficient Heavy workloads and insufficient staffing affect patient care, according to about 2,000 nurses surveyed worldwide by the International Council of Nurses…

Taking action against acute COPD

Each year, emergency departments see about 1.5 million patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Update your knowledge of the disease and its treatment.

Thwarting a pneumothorax

As a patient deteriorates, assessment and history findings guide clinicians to the right diagnosis and interventions.
Care of Patients on Ventilators

Top 10 care essentials for ventilator patients

In a wide variety of settings, nurses are increasingly likely to care for patients on mechanical ventilators. Let’s assume you’re one of them. What do you need to…
Tracheostomy care

Tracheostomy care: An evidence-based guide

To promote positive outcomes in patients with trach tubes, nurses need to stay up-to-date on best practices and develop and maintain the necessary skills.

Understanding MCS

More research is needed to increase our understanding of multiple chemical sensitivity.

US troops in Iraq breathe polluted air

Research presented at the 241st National Meeting of the American Chemical Society found that US troops in Iraq breath air that “often is polluted with dust and other…

USDA new safety requirements for beta-agonists

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has new safety requirements for long-acting beta-agonists used to treat asthma. Read the requirements at http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProviders/ucm200776.htm.,/p>

When asthma escalates to an emergency

In asthma, airway inflammation leads to airway obstruction, which may be chronic or arise as an acute symptom exacerbation. Asthma signs and symptoms range from mild to severe…

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Test Your Knowledge

Which of the following is correct about the stages of sleep?