ABSTRACT
Pulmonary hypertension is seen in infants and young children who have congenital heart defects resulting in excess pulmonary blood flow. The critical care nurse can implement several interventions in the immediate postoperative period to help prevent the potentially lethal complication of pulmonary hypertensive crisis in a cardiac surgery patient. Respiratory interventions include hyperventilation, maintaining an alkalotic pH, supplemental oxygen, and low positive end-expiratory pressure. In addition, the nurse must consider the serum potassium, hematocrit, and patient temperature, and administer appropriate medications.
Subject(s)
Cardiac Surgical Procedures/adverse effects , Hypertension, Pulmonary/nursing , Hypertension, Pulmonary/therapy , Child, Preschool , Critical Care , Humans , Hypertension, Pulmonary/etiology , Hypertension, Pulmonary/physiopathology , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Patient Care Planning , Postoperative Care , Vascular ResistanceABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To identify characteristics of survivors and nonsurvivors among critically ill children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit. METHOD: A retrospective chart review of 91 children (64 survivors and 27 nonsurvivors) compared age, gender, diagnostic category, and number of days in the ICU. Data were analyzed by Fisher's Exact Test and ANOVA. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among groups. CONCLUSIONS: Data contribute to the development and testing of predictive models for decision-making in pediatric intensive care.
