ABSTRACT
Early recognition and treatment of sepsis reduces mortality (Dellinger et al., 2008). Nurses are a critical part of the health care team that provides evidence-based care to prevent, identify, and promptly treat sepsis in the hospital setting.
Subject(s)
Evidence-Based Nursing/methods , Nursing Staff, Hospital/education , Sepsis/diagnosis , Sepsis/nursing , Clinical Protocols , Early Diagnosis , Humans , Sepsis/drug therapy , Time Factors , United States/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) is a cause of death and disability in neurological patients. Patients experiencing malignant stroke of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) have a high mortality related to cerebral edema, increased ICP, and subsequent cerebral herniation. Decompressive hemicraniectomy with duraplasty is a surgical option for those experiencing large volume MCA stroke. When decompressive hemicraniectomy with duraplasty is performed, functional outcomes improve if the MCA stroke candidate is younger, the onset of increased ICP occurred less than 24 hours before surgery, and surgery is performed before clinical signs of herniation syndrome occur. The level of care required for these patients makes nursing care challenging.
Subject(s)
Biocompatible Materials/therapeutic use , Cerebral Hemorrhage/complications , Craniotomy/methods , Decompression, Surgical/methods , Dura Mater/surgery , Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery/complications , Intracranial Hypertension/surgery , Activities of Daily Living , Acute Disease , Bone Transplantation/methods , Craniotomy/adverse effects , Craniotomy/nursing , Decompression, Surgical/adverse effects , Decompression, Surgical/nursing , Encephalocele/etiology , Glasgow Outcome Scale , Humans , Intracranial Hypertension/diagnosis , Intracranial Hypertension/etiology , Nurse's Role , Patient Selection , Perioperative Care/methods , Perioperative Care/nursing , Surgical Flaps , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The PFA-100 is a laboratory test designed to measure platelet function. Adequate platelet function depends upon the platelet's ability to adhere to the site of endothelial injury, activate surface receptors to attract other platelets and aggregate or clump together to form a platelet plug. This process is necessary to stop bleeding but may be harmful if it causes occlusion of a vessel. Platelet altering medication therapy is widely used in the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and cerebrovascular ischemia. The PFA-100 provides the clinician with valuable information about platelet function. This information is helpful in determining the therapeutic effectiveness of antiplatelet medications, assisting in evaluating risk of bleeding and identifying primary platelet dysfunction.
