Manual of Critical Care Nursing

1. General Concepts in Caring for the Critically Ill

Acid-Base Imbalances

Alterations in Consciousness

Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances

Hemodynamic Monitoring

Mechanical Ventilation

Nutritional Support

Pain

Prolonged Immobility

Sedation and Neuromuscular Blockade

Wound and Skin Care

2. Managing the Critical Care Environment

Bioterrorism

Emerging Infections

Emotional and Spiritual Support of the Patient and Significant Others

Ethical Considerations in Critical Care

Patient Safety  NEW!

3. Multisystem Trauma

Major Trauma

Abdominal Trauma

Acute Cardiac Tamponade

Acute Spinal Cord Injury

Burns

Compartment Syndrome/Ischemic Myositis

Drowning

Pelvic Fractures

Renal and Lower Urinary Tract Trauma

Traumatic Brain Injury

Thoracic Trauma

4. Respiratory Dysfunctions

Respiratory Assessment:: General

Acute Asthma Exacerbation

Acute Lung Injury and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Acute Pneumonia

Acute Respiratory Failure

Pneumothorax

Pulmonary Embolus (PE)

Pulmonary Hypertension

5. Cardiovascular Dysfunctions

Cardiovascular Assessment:: General

Heart Failure

Acute Coronary Syndromes/Coronary Artery Thrombolysis

Acute Infective Endocarditis

Acute Pericarditis

Aortic Aneurysm/Dissection

Cardiogenic Shock

Cardiomyopathy

Dysrhythmias and Conduction Disturbances

Hypertensive Emergencies

Peripheral Vascular Disease  NEW!

Valvular Heart Disease

6. Renal Failure

Renal Assessment:: General

Acute Renal Failure/Acute Kidney Injury

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapies  NEW!

7. Neurologic Dysfunctions

Neurologic Assessment:: General

Brain Death

Cerebral Aneurysm and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Care of the Patient after Intracranial Surgery

Meningitis

Neurodegenerative and Neuromuscular Disorders

Status Epilepticus

Stroke:: Ischemic and Hemorrhagic

8. Endocrinologic Dysfunctions

Endocrinologic Assessment:: General

Acute Adrenal Insufficiency (Adrenal Crisis)

Diabetes Insipidus

Hyperglycemia, Ketoacidosis, and Hyperosmolar Syndrome  NEW!

Myxedema Coma

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone

Thyrotoxic Crisis (Thyroid Storm)

9. Gastrointestinal Dysfunctions

Gastrointestinal Assessment:: General

Acute Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Acute Pancreatitis

Enterocutaneous Fistulas

Hepatic Failure

Peritonitis

10. Hematologic/Immunologic Dysfunctions

Hematologic Assessment:: General

Anaphylactic Shock

Profound Anemias/Hemolytic Crisis

Bleeding and Thrombotic Disorders

11. Multisystem Stressors

Abdominal Hypertension and Compartment Syndrome

Drug Overdose

High-Risk Obstetrics

Oncologic Emergencies  NEW!

Organ Transplantation  NEW!

Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), Sepsis, Septic Shock, and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome (MODS)

Appendixes

1.  Heart and Breath Sounds

2.  Glasgow Coma Scale

3.  Cranial Nerves:: Assessment and Dysfunctions

4.  Major Deep Tendon (Muscle-Stretch) Reflexes

5.  Major Superficial (Cutaneous) Reflexes

6.   Inotropic and Vasoactive Medication Infusions

7.  Sample Relaxation Technique

8. Abbreviations Used in this Manual