Microvascular Fluid Resuscitation in Circulatory Shock.

The microcirculation is responsible for blood flow regulation and red blood cell distribution throughout individual organs. Patients with circulatory shock have acute failure of the cardiovascular system in which there is insufficient delivery of oxygen to meet metabolic tissue requirements. All subtypes of shock pathophysiology have a hypovolemic component. Fluid resuscitation guided by systemic hemodynamic end points is a common intervention. Evidence shows that microcirculatory shock persists even after optimization of macrocirculatory hemodynamics. The ability for nurses to assess the microcirculation at the bedside in real-time during fluid resuscitation could lead to improved algorithms designed to resuscitate the microcirculation.

Tumor Lysis Syndrome: A Unique Solute Disturbance.

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a life-threatening disorder that is an oncologic emergency. Risk factors for TLS are well-known, but the current literature shows case descriptions of unexpected acute TLS. Solid tumors and untreated hematologic tumors can lyse under various circumstances in children and adults. International guidelines and recommendations, including the early involvement of the critical care team, have been put forward to help clinicians properly manage the syndrome. Advanced practice nurses may be in the position of triaging and initiating treatment of patients with TLS, and need a thorough understanding of the syndrome and its treatment.

Perianesthesia implications of obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a complex medical condition that affects not only the airway but also the cardiopulmonary, endocrine, and central nervous systems. Obstructive sleep apnea can usually be identified with a focused history and physical examination and is commonly associated with obese, middle-aged men with hypertension and glucose intolerance. A high index of suspicion for OSA should arise when reports of loud snoring, nighttime arousal, and acid reflux accompanied by a history of stroke, atrial fibrillation, or congestive heart failure are elicited during a perianesthesia evaluation. Perianesthesia risk in OSA patients includes the potential for difficult airway management, cardiovascular instability, and abnormal sensitivity to sedation and analgesia. Typical doses of respiratory depressants may cause profound hypoventilation, apnea, or cardiopulmonary arrest in OSA patients. Central axial opioids and continuous intravenous opioid infusions should be avoided while nonopioid and non-centrally acting analgesics are recommended. Careful postoperative monitoring is important to preventing serious morbidity. Early identification of OSA and its comorbidities is key to developing a safe anesthesia and postoperative treatment plan.