John Benson*, a 45-year-old man, arrives in the emergency department (ED) with chest discomfort, shortness of breath, and palpitations that have been gradually worsening for the past few months. Andre, the ED nurse, notes Mr. Benson’s pallor and asks what prompted his visit to the ED. Mr. Benson explains that he was working outdoors in the heat and suddenly felt faint.
Critical Care Advisor
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Critical Care
Postpartum hemorrhage
Freya Jenkins*, a 22-year-old woman, delivers 32 week gestation triplets via cesarean birth. In the operating room, she experienced quantitative blood loss of 1,050 mL. Ms. Jenkins had one cesarean birth prior to this delivery. In the NICU to see her babies, Ms. Jenkins stands from her wheelchair and Katie, the NICU nurse, notices that the absorbent pad is soaked with blood. Ms. Jenkins stumbles backward and says, “I feel like I’m going to pass out.” What should Katie do next?
Sepsis navigators and hospital outcomes
Without timely intervention, sepsis (a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when an infection triggers a chain reaction) can result in tissue damage, organ failure, and ultimately death. Although the most common causes of sepsis are bacterial infections, viral infections—such as COVID-19, influenza, and fungal infections—also can result in sepsis.
Traumatic hyphema
Brian Wright*, a 34-year-old man with a history of essential hypertension, is struck in the right temple with a bat during a softball game. Mr. Wright’s teammates drive him to the emergency department (ED) for evaluation.
Preventing hospital-acquired pressure injuries
Evidence indicates that the cost of preventing hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPI) is significantly lower than the cost to treat. However, despite available best practice guidelines, nurses’ knowledge of both risk and preventive strategies varies and the incidence of pressure injuries (PIs) worldwide remains stagnant.
Electronic peer review and CLABSI rates
Peer review, an expectation of nursing professionals, aligns with Magnet® standards related to the promotion of patient safety and the advancement of nursing knowledge.
Wernicke’s encephalopathy
Amber White*, a 35-year-old woman who’s 21 weeks pregnant, arrives in the ED with an altered level of consciousness, blurred vision, weakness, and ataxia. The nurse notes slurred speech and an unsteady gait.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a life-threatening neurologic emergency, frequently occurs with dopamine antagonists (antipsychotics and antiemetics).
Infiltration of xylazine in illicit fentanyl
Aseptic technique and perioperative I.V. medication administration
Despite their ubiquity across healthcare settings, I.V. injections continue to play a role in disease transmission.