Nothing is more important to the patient’s outcome than properly performed chest compressions.
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Pulmonary
Anaphylaxis can kill within minutes unless the victim receives immediate treatment. Calling a rapid response team to the scene can avert disaster.
Stop life-threatening pneumothorax with quick thinking and action.
Sleep apnea causes sleep deprivation and, over time, can lead to serious physiologic changes.
Many clinicians are using this mechanical ventilation mode to help reduce lung damage, pneumonia, and other complications of ventilation. Find out how it works, when it’s indicated, how…
Children who take an asthma drug are more likely to be prescribed an antibiotic according to a study in Pediatrics. The authors state that focusing efforts to reduce…
Increase your ability to recognize aortic aneurysms and provide postop care.
A nurse responds quickly to the patient’s distress.
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…
Unlike traditional vital signs, capnography yields clear, specific information about the patient’s condition and quickly alerts you to life-threatening disturbances.
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…
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…
On June 7, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidelines for evaluating severe respiratory illness associated with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV). Read…
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…
Many nurses find chest tube care intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be. Once you understand the basics, you can be confident when caring for patients who have chest…
Learn how one hospital improved communication between nurses and intubated patients through the use of an algorithm, new communication devices, and a focused communications course for nurses.
Make sure your care of patients with community-acquired pneumonia is evidence-based and up-to-date.
For patients on mechanical ventilators, daily sedation cessation can decrease ventilator, ICU, and hospital days. Careful use of safety screens is crucial for patient safety and successful weaning.
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…
Thanks to an alert nurse, an elderly patient avoids respiratory failure during her recovery from hip fracture surgery.
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…
Pulmonary embolism (PE) kills about 25% of those it strikes. This article explains how deep vein thrombosis (DVT) sets the stage for PE and describes how to assess,…
Pulmonary embolism (PE) kills about 25% of those it strikes. This article explains how deep vein thrombosis (DVT) sets the stage for PE and describes how to assess,…
Check out these highlights from the American College of Chest Physicians’ new guidelines.
When a patient’s O2 Sat falls and subcutaneous neck edema arises, adroit troubleshooting identifies the cause.
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.
WEB EXCLUSIVE! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals.
An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals.
An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals and removals.
Web Exclusive! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals at www.AmericanNurseToday.com/journal.
Many experts think a flu pandemic (perhaps the swine flu) is inevitable, underscoring the need for all healthcare workers to learn how to use respirators properly.
Use sequential compression devices effectively to help achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.
When the family wants to be with the patient, this advice will help you guide the conversation and manage the situation.
Effective communication enables nurses and physicians to negotiate a collaborative decision that honors the family’s wishes.
On Sept. 30, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Adempas (riociguat) to treat adults with two forms of pulmonary hypertension. Read more.
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…
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…
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
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)…
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.
On Dec. 19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed marketing of the Bio-Seal Lung Biopsy Tract Plug System, a device that seals punctures left by biopsies performed…
“Something’s wrong. We have to fix it quickly!” All of our training and experiences as nurses, such as my almost 30 years as a hospital-based RN, lead us…
According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, administering a neuromuscular blocking agent for 48 hours at the onset of severe Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome…
Myth debunking and better recognition of respiratory compromise can help prevent deaths.
Several therapies are available to help patients with this progressive disease who develop airway infections.
Learn the telltale signs of brain swelling and find out which patients are most at risk.
On Aug. 8, The Joint Commission released the Sentinel Event Alert, “Safe use of opioids in hospitals.” The Alert warns of opioid-induced respirator depression and offers strategies for…
The author covers how to recognize and treat this serious complication.
Learn more about this serious complication, including prevention and treatment.
NIH has updated its guidelines on asthma diagnosis and treatment. Learn how to help your asthma patients lead fuller lives.
NIH has updated its guidelines on asthma diagnosis and treatment. Learn how to help your asthma patients lead fuller lives.
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…
Not all AV blocks are dangerous. Find out which ones are and how they’re managed.
Once treated only in high-acuity settings, patients with chest tubes now receive care in inpatient medical-surgical floors, outpatient procedural areas (such as interventional radiology), and other settings. More…
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…
In a study of mice, scientists found that a gene associated with emphysema can also cause the development of lung cancer not related to smoking. Read more.
Learn more about this common disorder of neuromuscular transmission and its affects on patients
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…
Pharmacomechanical thrombectomy removes dangerous clots to restore healthy function in hours.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one third of the world’s population is infected with TB, and…
Although it’s not suitable for all patients, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation reduces many of the risks associated with mechanical ventilation.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that over-the-counter (OTC) asthma inhalers containing chloroflouorocarbons (CFCs) will no longer be made or sold after Dec. 31, 2011, because…
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…
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…
Don’t miss the opportunity to practice your arterial blood gas interpretation skills.
Despite recent gains in treating pulmonary arterial hypertension, a cure is a long way off. Diagnosis and therapy can be tricky, and prognosis remains poor. Still, there are…
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…
Even if you rarely care for children, make sure you know which respiratory assessment findings are red flags.
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?…
Complications of an anterior cervical fusion did not lead to an airway obstruction because of one nurse’s assessment skills and critical thinking.
The author’s study found that when implemented together as a bundle, three autonomous nursing interventions can dramatically lower ventilatorassociated pneumonia rates in mechanically ventilated patients.
How an evidence-based protocol for risk assessment and risk-based prophylaxis can decrease venous thromboembolism in your institution.
A team approach reduces rates of major complications for complex spinal reconstructive surgery by two thirds, according to a report in Spine Deformity. The three main features are:…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Follow the signs and symptoms to this unusual source of life-threatening bleeding.
Enhance your understanding of these two conditions.
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.
A disoriented patient removes his endotracheal tube and suffers severe respiratory distress. Can he be saved before it’s too late?
The team scrambles to save a patient with diabetes.
Low survival rates, high mortality, and lack of public awareness make this cancer especially dangerous.
What you need to know about six high-impact drugs.
Awaken patients with sleep apnea to the danger of their condition.
According to Sawyer and colleagues, only 11% of patients who experience a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) outside of the hospital will survive to discharge. When it occurs in…
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treatment with a leukotriene-receptor antagonist (LTRA) was as effective as inhaled glucocorticoid therapy as first-line controller therapy…
A Phase II study found that patients with ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema who received ecallantide were more likely to be discharged sooner than those treated with antihistamines and steroids.…
According to a study in JAMA, adding thrombolytics to conventional approaches when treating patients with sudden-onset pulmonary embolism is associated with 47% fewer deaths than using standard anticoagulant…
A study in Respirology has found that the negative effects of water pipe (such as Hookah) smoking on pulmonary function are similar to that seen in those who…
Nursing vigilance helps a patient with chronic obstructive oulmonary disease stave off respiratory failure.
A monthly round-up of clinical, practice, and career news, updates, and alerts.
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…
Web exclusive! A monthly round-up of clinical and practice news and alerts at www.AmericanNurseToday.com
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…
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…
A weekly round-up of clinical and practice news and alerts.
A monthly round-up of clinical and practice news and alerts.
A monthly round-up of clinical and practice news and alerts.
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…
Web Exclusive! A monthly round-up of clinical and practice news and alerts.
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…
Each year, emergency departments see about 1.5 million patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Update your knowledge of the disease and its treatment.
Air enters a patient’s central venous catheter site. It’s all down hill from there.
Using a “teachable moments” model, emergency department staff cacn teach patients now to manage their asthma.
Protect your ARDS patients from danger with perfusion, positioning, protective lung ventilation, protocol weaning, and prevention of complications.
As a patient deteriorates, assessment and history findings guide clinicians to the right diagnosis and interventions.
Although time to death after withdrawal of mechanical ventilation varies widely, the majority of patients die within 24 hours according to an article in the August 2010 edition…
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…
The nurse’s high index of suspicion helps halt a life-threatening emergency.
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.
The author describes the newest approaches to detecting, treating, and controlling this very old infectious disease.
A chronic inflammatory airway disorder, asthma is marked by airway hyperresponsiveness with recurrent episodes of wheezing, coughing, tightness of the chest, and shortness of breath. Typically, these episodes…
This noninvasive technique gives early warning of respiratory compromise.
To survive acute lung injury, patients need all the help they can get. High-frequency oscillatory ventillation protects their lungs by maintaining a constant mean airway pressure.
More research is needed to increase our understanding of multiple chemical sensitivity.
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…
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>
In the ever-escalating war between bacteria and human beings, some of the bugs are outsmarting us. Here’s what you need to know about antibiotic therapy to help reduce…
Mechanical ventilation can cause serious complicattions-among them lung injury, pneumonia, and multisystemic disorders. Early weaning reduces these risks. This article is available to American Nurses Association members and…
How to recognize and reverse transfuion-related acute lung injury.
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…
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an insidious onset and causes disabling symptoms. This article discusses its risk factors, pathophysiology, assessment, interventions, and nursing management.
6 surprising best resuscitation practices
Nothing is more important to the patient’s outcome than properly performed chest compressions.
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.
Adult obstructive sleep apnea: Taking a patient-centered approach
Sleep apnea causes sleep deprivation and, over time, can lead to serious physiologic changes.
Airway pressure release ventilation: A boost for spontaneous breathing
Many clinicians are using this mechanical ventilation mode to help reduce lung damage, pneumonia, and other complications of ventilation. Find out how it works,…
Antibiotic prescriptions more common in children on asthma drugs
Children who take an asthma drug are more likely to be prescribed an antibiotic according to a study in Pediatrics. The authors state that…
Aortic aneurysm: Causes, clues, and treatment options
Increase your ability to recognize aortic aneurysms and provide postop care.
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…
Capnography: A vital sign for the 21st century
Unlike traditional vital signs, capnography yields clear, specific information about the patient’s condition and quickly alerts you to life-threatening disturbances.
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…
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…
CDC releases updated guidelines for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus
On June 7, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidelines for evaluating severe respiratory illness associated with Middle East Respiratory…
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…
Chest tube care: The more you know, the easier it gets
Many nurses find chest tube care intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be. Once you understand the basics, you can be confident when caring for…
Communicating with intubated patients: A new approach
Learn how one hospital improved communication between nurses and intubated patients through the use of an algorithm, new communication devices, and a focused communications…
Community-acquired pneumonia: Follow the guidelines to better outcomes
Make sure your care of patients with community-acquired pneumonia is evidence-based and up-to-date.
Daily sedation breaks and breathing trials help wean patients from ventilators safely
For patients on mechanical ventilators, daily sedation cessation can decrease ventilator, ICU, and hospital days. Careful use of safety screens is crucial for patient…
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…
Derailing disaster after pulmonary aspiration
Thanks to an alert nurse, an elderly patient avoids respiratory failure during her recovery from hip fracture surgery.
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…
Detecting, managing, and preventing pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism (PE) kills about 25% of those it strikes. This article explains how deep vein thrombosis (DVT) sets the stage for PE and…
Detecting, managing, and preventing pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism (PE) kills about 25% of those it strikes. This article explains how deep vein thrombosis (DVT) sets the stage for PE and…
Diagnosing and managing cough
Check out these highlights from the American College of Chest Physicians’ new guidelines.
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…
Drugs Today – February 2009
WEB EXCLUSIVE! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals.
Drugs Today – November 2008
Web Exclusive! An update of drug news, including alerts, approvals, and removals at www.AmericanNurseToday.com/journal.
Emerging infectious threats: Respiratory protection for personal safety
Many experts think a flu pandemic (perhaps the swine flu) is inevitable, underscoring the need for all healthcare workers to learn how to use…
Enhancing patient outcomes with sequential compression device therapy
Use sequential compression devices effectively to help achieve the best possible outcomes for patients.
Family presence during resuscitation: The in’s and out’s
When the family wants to be with the patient, this advice will help you guide the conversation and manage the situation.
Family presence during resuscitation: Who decides?
Effective communication enables nurses and physicians to negotiate a collaborative decision that honors the family’s wishes.
FDA approved Adempas for pulmonary hypertension
On Sept. 30, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Adempas (riociguat) to treat adults with two forms of pulmonary hypertension. Read more.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
FDA permits marketing of device to seal lung punctures
On Dec. 19, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed marketing of the Bio-Seal Lung Biopsy Tract Plug System, a device that seals punctures…
From our readers…Know your A, B, C, and D’s for patients with progressive disease
“Something’s wrong. We have to fix it quickly!” All of our training and experiences as nurses, such as my almost 30 years as a…
Giving a neuromuscular blocking agent early in ARDS may improve survival
According to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, administering a neuromuscular blocking agent for 48 hours at the onset of severe…
Improving outcomes in med-surg patients with opioid-induced respiratory depression
Myth debunking and better recognition of respiratory compromise can help prevent deaths.
Inhaled therapies for cystic fibrosis: Current and future trends
Several therapies are available to help patients with this progressive disease who develop airway infections.
Is your patient at risk for cerebral edema?
Learn the telltale signs of brain swelling and find out which patients are most at risk.
Joint Commission issues Sentinel Event Alert on opioid use in hospitals
On Aug. 8, The Joint Commission released the Sentinel Event Alert, “Safe use of opioids in hospitals.” The Alert warns of opioid-induced respirator depression…
Jump into action against aspiration pneumonia
The author covers how to recognize and treat this serious complication.
Jump into action against aspiration pneumonia
Learn more about this serious complication, including prevention and treatment.
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…
Managing atrioventricular blocks
Not all AV blocks are dangerous. Find out which ones are and how they’re managed.
Managing chest tubes: Air leaks and unplanned tube removal
Once treated only in high-acuity settings, patients with chest tubes now receive care in inpatient medical-surgical floors, outpatient procedural areas (such as interventional radiology),…
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…
Mice study finds genetic link between lung cancer and emphysema
In a study of mice, scientists found that a gene associated with emphysema can also cause the development of lung cancer not related to…
Myasthenia gravis: An update
Learn more about this common disorder of neuromuscular transmission and its affects on patients
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…
New minimally invasive technique treats acute DVT
Pharmacomechanical thrombectomy removes dangerous clots to restore healthy function in hours.
New options for fighting the global disease of tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one third of the world’s population is…
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.
OTC asthma inhalers with CFCs will not be available after 2011
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced that over-the-counter (OTC) asthma inhalers containing chloroflouorocarbons (CFCs) will no longer be made or sold after…
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…
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…
Perfecting your acid-base balancing act
Don’t miss the opportunity to practice your arterial blood gas interpretation skills.
Persevering against pediatric pulmonary hypertension
Despite recent gains in treating pulmonary arterial hypertension, a cure is a long way off. Diagnosis and therapy can be tricky, and prognosis remains…
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.…
Pointers for pediatric respiratory assessment?
Even if you rarely care for children, make sure you know which respiratory assessment findings are red flags.
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…
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.
Preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia: A nursing-intervention bundle
The author’s study found that when implemented together as a bundle, three autonomous nursing interventions can dramatically lower ventilatorassociated pneumonia rates in mechanically ventilated…
Protect your patients from venous thromboembolism
How an evidence-based protocol for risk assessment and risk-based prophylaxis can decrease venous thromboembolism in your institution.
Protocol reduces complications for complex spinal surgery
A team approach reduces rates of major complications for complex spinal reconstructive surgery by two thirds, according to a report in Spine Deformity. The…
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…
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…
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…
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…
Recognizing a ruptured right bronchial artery
Follow the signs and symptoms to this unusual source of life-threatening bleeding.
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…
Self-extubation threatens a patient’s recovery
A disoriented patient removes his endotracheal tube and suffers severe respiratory distress. Can he be saved before it’s too late?
Silent killer: Adenocarcinoma at the esophagogastric junction
Low survival rates, high mortality, and lack of public awareness make this cancer especially dangerous.
Strategies for improving survivorship after sudden cardiac arrest
According to Sawyer and colleagues, only 11% of patients who experience a sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) outside of the hospital will survive to discharge.…
Study finds LTRA as effective as inhaled steroids in first-line asthma management
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that treatment with a leukotriene-receptor antagonist (LTRA) was as effective as inhaled glucocorticoid therapy…
Study: New drug effective for ACE-inhibitor angioedema
A Phase II study found that patients with ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema who received ecallantide were more likely to be discharged sooner than those treated…
Study: Thrombolytics significantly reduce mortality in sudden-onset PE
According to a study in JAMA, adding thrombolytics to conventional approaches when treating patients with sudden-onset pulmonary embolism is associated with 47% fewer deaths…
Study: Water pipe just as bad for you as cigarette smoking
A study in Respirology has found that the negative effects of water pipe (such as Hookah) smoking on pulmonary function are similar to that…
Suppressing a COPD flare-up
Nursing vigilance helps a patient with chronic obstructive oulmonary disease stave off respiratory failure.
Take Note – April 2007
A monthly round-up of clinical, practice, and career news, updates, and alerts.
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…
Take Note – August 2008
Web exclusive! A monthly round-up of clinical and practice news and alerts at www.AmericanNurseToday.com
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)…
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…
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…
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…
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.
Taking action against air embolism
Air enters a patient’s central venous catheter site. It’s all down hill from there.
Teachable moments: Asthma education in the ED
Using a “teachable moments” model, emergency department staff cacn teach patients now to manage their asthma.
The five P’s spell positive outcomes for ARDS patients
Protect your ARDS patients from danger with perfusion, positioning, protective lung ventilation, protocol weaning, and prevention of complications.
Thwarting a pneumothorax
As a patient deteriorates, assessment and history findings guide clinicians to the right diagnosis and interventions.
Time of death after withdrawal of mechanical ventilation
Although time to death after withdrawal of mechanical ventilation varies widely, the majority of patients die within 24 hours according to an article in…
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…
Touch and go for a patient with a pneumothorax
The nurse’s high index of suspicion helps halt a life-threatening emergency.
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.
Tuberculosis today: Fighting an ancient adversary
The author describes the newest approaches to detecting, treating, and controlling this very old infectious disease.
Understanding asthma pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management
A chronic inflammatory airway disorder, asthma is marked by airway hyperresponsiveness with recurrent episodes of wheezing, coughing, tightness of the chest, and shortness of…
Understanding end-tidal CO2 monitoring
This noninvasive technique gives early warning of respiratory compromise.
Understanding high-frequency oscillatory ventillation
To survive acute lung injury, patients need all the help they can get. High-frequency oscillatory ventillation protects their lungs by maintaining a constant mean…
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…
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>
Using antibiotics effectively for acute-care patients
In the ever-escalating war between bacteria and human beings, some of the bugs are outsmarting us. Here’s what you need to know about antibiotic…
Weaning patients from the mechanical ventilator: The nurse’s role
Mechanical ventilation can cause serious complicattions-among them lung injury, pneumonia, and multisystemic disorders. Early weaning reduces these risks. This article is available to American…
What’s causing this respiratory distress?
How to recognize and reverse transfuion-related acute lung injury.
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…
When breathing is a burden: How to help patients with COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has an insidious onset and causes disabling symptoms. This article discusses its risk factors, pathophysiology, assessment, interventions, and nursing…
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