ABSTRACT
Abnormal fluid or air between the pleura results in respiratory distress and can cause death, if untreated. Intrapleural chest drains are used to remove abnormal accumulations of fluid or air. Caring for patients with intrapleural chest drains requires knowledge and skill to ensure patient safety. This article describes the pathophysiology, treatment and nursing care of patients who require intrapleural chest drains.
Subject(s)
Chest Tubes , Drainage/nursing , Education, Nursing, Continuing/methods , Pleural Effusion/nursing , Pneumothorax/therapy , Clinical Competence , HumansABSTRACT
Twelve-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) record 12 different views of cardiac electrical activity, or leads. They therefore provide more information than bedside monitors, which usually record one or sometimes two leads. Many acutely ill patients have 12-lead ECGs recorded either on admission to hospital, before undergoing operations or when specific cardiac concerns have arisen. Traditionally, ECGs have aided clinical diagnoses and, by learning how to understand and interpret them, nurses will know when they need to summon expert help. This article describes what each of the 12 leads represents, outlines the main indications for recording 12-lead ECGs and identifies likely causes of error in interpreting them.
Subject(s)
Arrhythmias, Cardiac/diagnosis , Electrocardiography/methods , Acute Coronary Syndrome/diagnosis , Acute Coronary Syndrome/nursing , Acute Coronary Syndrome/physiopathology , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/nursing , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/physiopathology , Artifacts , Bundle-Branch Block/diagnosis , Bundle-Branch Block/nursing , Bundle-Branch Block/physiopathology , Electrocardiography/instrumentation , Electrocardiography/nursing , Electrodes , Humans , Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , Myocardial Infarction/nursing , Myocardial Infarction/physiopathologyABSTRACT
This article describes how to interpret the single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The author also describes cardiac electrophysiology and how this is represented by ECG graphs. Part 2 of this article, to be published in the next issue, will describe 12-lead ECGs and acute coronary syndromes.
Subject(s)
Blood Gas Analysis/methods , Critical Care/methods , Nursing Assessment/methods , Acid-Base Imbalance/blood , Acid-Base Imbalance/diagnosis , Bicarbonates/blood , Blood Gas Analysis/nursing , Carbon Dioxide/blood , Electrolytes/blood , Homeostasis/physiology , Humans , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , Oxygen/blood , Partial Pressure , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
This article describes how to interpret the single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). The author also describes cardiac electrophysiology and how this is represented by ECG graphs. Part 2 of this article, to be published next week, will describe 12-lead ECGs and acute coronary syndromes.
Subject(s)
Electrocardiography , Arrhythmias, Cardiac/physiopathology , Atrial Fibrillation/physiopathology , Atrioventricular Block/physiopathology , Education, Continuing , HumansABSTRACT
Twelve-lead electrocardiograms (ECGs) record 12 different views of cardiac electrical activity, thus providing more information than bedside monitors, which usually display one or sometimes two leads. Many acutely ill patients have 12-lead ECGs recorded on admission to hospital and at other times, such as pre-operatively or when there are specific cardiac concerns. ECGs have traditionally been an aid to medical diagnosis, but understanding and being able to interpret them enables nurses to summon help urgently if needed. This article describes what each of the 12 leads represents, outlines the main indications for recording 12-lead ECGs and identifies likely causes of error.
Subject(s)
Acute Coronary Syndrome/diagnosis , Electrocardiography/methods , Acute Coronary Syndrome/nursing , Acute Coronary Syndrome/physiopathology , Angina, Unstable/diagnosis , Angina, Unstable/nursing , Angina, Unstable/physiopathology , Bundle-Branch Block/diagnosis , Bundle-Branch Block/nursing , Bundle-Branch Block/physiopathology , Electrocardiography/instrumentation , Electrocardiography/nursing , Electrodes , Equipment Failure , Humans , Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis , Myocardial Infarction/nursing , Myocardial Infarction/physiopathologyABSTRACT
DRUGS DURING A HEATWAVE The recent heatwave prompted a number of health warnings. One possible consequence that does not seem to have been considered is the effect of heat on drug stability.
ABSTRACT
Although respiratory disease can occur at any age, older people are more likely to suffer both acute and chronic respiratory disease. Without sufficient oxygen, cells fail and die, and extensive cell death causes body systems to fail. This article considers the principles of short-term oxygen therapy and offers guidance to nurses who may be required to administer such treatment in their work with older people.
Subject(s)
Geriatric Nursing , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy/nursing , Aged , Humans , Masks , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy/methods , Respiratory Insufficiency/nursing , Respiratory Insufficiency/therapyABSTRACT
Healthcare assistants are valuable members of the multi-disciplinary team, using many skills outlined in previous articles in this series. But anyone exceeding the limits of their skills can cause harm and may be called to account. This article explains how everyone is accountable.
Subject(s)
Nurse's Role , Nursing Assistants/legislation & jurisprudence , Professional Autonomy , Civil Rights/legislation & jurisprudence , Criminal Law/legislation & jurisprudence , Employment/legislation & jurisprudence , Humans , Liability, Legal , Licensure, Nursing/legislation & jurisprudence , Malpractice/legislation & jurisprudence , Patient Care Team/legislation & jurisprudence , Personnel Delegation/organization & administration , Social Responsibility , United KingdomSubject(s)
Blood Pressure , Body Temperature , Critical Care/methods , Geriatric Nursing/methods , Physical Examination/methods , Pulse , Respiration , Acute Disease , Aged , Disease Progression , HumansSubject(s)
Blood Pressure Determination/methods , Geriatric Assessment/methods , Nursing Assessment/methods , Aged , Aging/physiology , Blood Pressure Determination/instrumentation , Blood Pressure Determination/nursing , Diastole , Geriatric Nursing/methods , Humans , Hypertension/diagnosis , Hypertension/nursing , Hypertension/physiopathology , SystoleABSTRACT
With increasing use of arterial blood gas analysis in various ward and other hospital settings to aid medical diagnosis and management, nurses who can interpret results are often able to initiate earlier interventions and understand the reasons for medical interventions. This article enables nurses to interpret such results.
Subject(s)
Blood Gas Analysis/methods , Blood Gas Analysis/nursing , Acid-Base Equilibrium/physiology , Acidosis/blood , Bicarbonates/blood , Carbon Dioxide/blood , Humans , Oxygen/blood , Respiratory Insufficiency/bloodABSTRACT
The issue of nailbrushes seems to be unidentified by infection control literature, including the Infection Control Nurses' Association hand hygiene guidelines. The infection risk is, however, that they will be used as communal items, like a bar of soap, so may transmit micro-organisms. Therefore, in acute care their use should be discouraged. If used, they should be single use, and then disposed of.
ABSTRACT
The second part of this article on non-invasive ventilation (NIV) examines the use of bilevel non-invasive ventilation, discussing the differences between CPAP and bilevel NIV. It also focuses on how to assess and monitor patients receiving either CPAP or bilevel NIV, and patient outcomes.
Subject(s)
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure/instrumentation , Continuous Positive Airway Pressure/nursing , Critical Care/methods , Equipment Design , Humans , Intensive Care Units , Nursing Assessment , Oxygen Inhalation Therapy/methods , Positive-Pressure Respiration , Respiratory Insufficiency/nursing , Respiratory Insufficiency/therapyABSTRACT
Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) is increasingly being used in domestic and acute health settings. Part one of this article identifies the benefits of NIV and describes the use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Part two, published in next week's Nursing Standard, discusses bilevel NIV, which has fewer complications and so is largely replacing CPAP. Part two also examines how to monitor and assess patients receiving NIV.
