NURS 201 Lecture Notes - Critical Care Nursing, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist
28 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
Critical care units or intensive care units (icus) are designed to meet the special needs of acutely and critically ill patients. Icu to bring rapid and immediate care to unstable patients in non critical care units. Nutrition: the primary goal of nutritional support is to prevent or correct nutritional deficiencies. For patients who do not speak english, the use of an interpreter is recommended: nonverbal communication is important. Comforting touch with ongoing evaluation of the patient"s response should be provided. Families should be encouraged to touch and talk with the patient even if the patient is unresponsive or comatose. Sensory-perceptual problems: delirium in icu patients ranges from 15% to 40%. Demographic factors predisposing the patient to delirium include advanced age, preexisting cerebral illnesses, use of medications that block rapid eye movement sleep, and a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Environmental factors that can contribute to delirium include sleep deprivation, anxiety, sensory overload, and immobilization.
