scholarly journals Critical Care Nurses’ Beliefs About and Reported Management of Anxiety

2003 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan K. Frazier ◽  
Debra K. Moser ◽  
Linda K. Daley ◽  
Sharon McKinley ◽  
Barbara Riegel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Pharmacological Management ◽  
Anxiety Management ◽  
Reduction Techniques ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Communication Interventions

• Background Anxiety is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Critical care nurses are uniquely positioned to reduce anxiety in their patients. Critical care nurses’ beliefs about and frequency of use of strategies to reduce anxiety have not been studied.• Objectives To explore critical care nurses’ beliefs about the importance of anxiety management and to describe nurses’ reported use of strategies to manage anxiety in their patients.• Methods A random sample (N = 2500) of members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses was asked to complete the Critical Care Nurse Anxiety Identification and Management Survey.• Results Respondents (n = 783) were primarily female (92%), white (88.5%) staff nurses (74.1%) who thought that anxiety is potentially harmful (mean, 4.1; SD, 0.8; range, 1 = no harm to 5 = life-threatening harm), that anxiety management is important (mean, 4.8; SD, 0.6; range, 1 = not important to 5 = very important), and that effective anxiety management is beneficial (mean, 4.6; SD, 0.6; range, 1 = no benefit to 5 = profound benefit). A majority commonly used pharmacological management; most also used information and communication interventions. Fewer subjects used the presence of patients’ family members to alleviate patients’ anxiety; few reported using stress-reduction techniques.• Conclusion Most respondents thought that treating anxiety is important and beneficial. Commonly used strategies included pharmacological relief of anxiety and pain and information and communication interventions. Although these strategies are useful, they may not effectively reduce anxiety in all patients.

Adverse Events Reporting System as Experienced by Critical-Care Nurses in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thusile Mabel Gqaleni ◽  
Busisiwe Rosemary Bhengu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Family Involvement ◽  
Reporting System ◽  
Legal Framework ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Kwazulu Natal ◽  
Life Threatening

Critically ill patients admitted to critical-care units (CCUs) might have life-threatening or potentially life-threatening problems. Adverse events (AEs) occur frequently in CCUs, resulting in compromised quality of patient care. This study explores the experiences of critical-care nurses (CCNs) in relation to how the reported AEs were analysed and handled in CCUs. The study was conducted in the CCUs of five purposively selected hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. A descriptive qualitative design was used to obtain data through in-depth interviews from a purposive sample of five unit managers working in the CCUs to provide a deeper meaning of their experiences. This study was a part of a bigger study using a mixed-methods approach. The recorded qualitative data were analysed using Tesch’s content analysis. The main categories of information that emerged during the data analysis were (i) the existence of an AE reporting system, (ii) the occurrence of AEs, (iii) the promotion of and barriers to AE reporting, and (iv) the handling of AEs. The findings demonstrated that there were major gaps that affected the maximum utilisation of the reporting system. In addition, even though the system existed in other institutions, it was not utilised at all, hence affecting quality patient care. The following are recommended: (1) a non-punitive and non-confrontational system should be promoted, and (2) an organisational culture should be encouraged where support structures are formed within institutions, which consist of a legal framework, patient and family involvement, effective AE feedback, and education and training of staff.

Novel Spanish Translators for Acute Care Nurses and Physicians: Usefulness and Effect on Practitioners’ Stress

2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 545-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew C. Bernard ◽  
Audra Summers ◽  
Jennifer Thomas ◽  
Myrna Ray ◽  
Anna Rockich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Survey Period ◽  
Acute Care Nurses ◽  
Quality Healthcare ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Nurses And Physicians

• Background Language barriers are significant impediments to providing quality healthcare, and increased stress levels among nurses and physicians are associated with these barriers. However, little evidence supports the usefulness of a translation tool specific to healthcare. • Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel English-Spanish translator designed specifically for nurses and physicians. The hypothesis was that the translator would be useful and that use of the translator would decrease stress levels among nurses and physicians caring for Spanish-speaking patients. • Methods Novel English-Spanish translators were developed entirely on the basis of input from critical care nurses and physicians. After 7 months of use, users completed surveys. Usefulness of the translator and stress levels among users were reported. • Results A total of 60% of nurses (n = 32) and 71% (n = 25) of physicians responded to the survey. A total of 96% of physicians and 97% of nurses considered the language barrier an impediment to delivering quality care. Nurses reported significantly more stress reduction than did physicians (P = .01). Most nurses and physicians had used the translator during the survey period. Overall, 91% of nurses and 72% of physicians found that the translator met their needs at the bedside some, most, or all of the time. All nurses thought that they most likely would use the translator in the future. • Conclusions The translator was useful for most critical care nurses and physicians surveyed. Healthcare providers, especially nurses, experienced decreased stress levels when they used the translator.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: pathophysiology, treatment, and related nursing care

1995 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 44-52
Author(s):  
M Kajs-Wyllie
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Nursing Care ◽  
Critical Care Unit ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Thrombocytopenic Purpura ◽  
Rare Syndrome ◽  
Life Threatening

The patient diagnosed with TTP presents to the critical care unit with myriad life-threatening problems. Knowledge of the pathophysiology and treatment of this rare syndrome is essential to plan care appropriately. However, despite immediate diagnosis and intervention, the outcome may not be successful. Critical care nurses play a vital role in caring for these patients, as well as helping family members deal with this devastating disease.

Geropharmacology

2008 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-151
Author(s):  
Catherine G. Ferrario
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Critical Care ◽  
Continuing Education ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Potentially Inappropriate Medications ◽  
Advanced Practice ◽  
Medication Therapy ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Inappropriate Medications

In the first part of this 2-part continuing education series, sources of medication errors were discussed. A predominant source of errors was the prescribing of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults. In this second part, drug classifications and drugs posing problems for older adults and cautions for advanced practice acute care and critical care nurses in their medication therapy management are highlighted. Cautions are advanced for anticholinergics, antihypertensives, analgesics, and psychotropics because of the severity of adverse reactions, including anticholinergic symptoms; mental status changes (especially confusion, sedation, delirium, and cognitive impairment); orthostatic hypotension; gastrointestinal tract problems (especially hemorrhage); depression; and neurobehavioral disturbances (agitation and aggressiveness). Risks of life-threatening outcomes associated with medications and adverse reactions are highlighted.

Common Electrolyte Imbalances Associated with Malignancy

1992 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 714-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan L. Hawthorne ◽  
Susan M. Schneider ◽  
M. Linda Workman
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Survival Time ◽  
Malignant Disease ◽  
Tumor Lysis Syndrome ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Tumor Lysis ◽  
Critical Care Units ◽  
Life Threatening

More than one million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer during 1992, and 50% will be cured of their disease. Of those individuals not cured of the malignancy, survival time after diagnosis has increased tremendously compared to 1980. Because of advances in therapy and the increase in long-term survival, the presence of cancer patients in critical care units should no longer represent either a medical contradiction or an ethical dilemma when the condition requiring critical care is potentially reversible. Many of these individuals may become patients in critical care settings as a result of specific electrolyte imbalances caused by the malignant disease or treatment of malignancy. Although the imbalances often are temporary, they can be life-threatening without intervention. The most common temporary electrolyte imbalances associated with malignant conditions are hypercalcemia, hyperkalemia, and tumor lysis syndrome. Critical care nurses can contribute skill and knowledge in ameliorating these conditions so that the person with cancer can have better quality and longer survival time

Survey of nursing practices with closed-system suctioning

2000 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Paul-Allen ◽  
CL Ostrow
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Open System ◽  
Closed System ◽  
The United States ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Endotracheal Suctioning ◽  
Frequency Of Use ◽  
Knowledge Deficits ◽  
Patterns Of Practice ◽  
Proper Performance

BACKGROUND: The limited literature on closed-system suctioning suggests a need for further research in this area. Information is lacking about the frequency of use of the closed versus the open system of suctioning and about the current patterns of practice of closed-system suctioning among nurses. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of use of closed- versus open-system suctioning by critical care nurses and to describe the endotracheal suctioning practices of nurses who use closed-system suctioning, in particular the current practice of hyperoxygenation and hyperinflation. METHODS: A survey developed by the investigators was mailed to a stratified proportional sample of 241 critical care nurses who are members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses in a tristate area in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States. The 19-item questionnaire included both open and forced-choice items. The response rate was 50%. RESULTS: Closed-system suctioning is common in the critical care setting, and current nursing practices of closed-system suctioning vary. Use of hyperoxygenation is more common than use of hyperinflation with closed-system suctioning. Nurses had knowledge deficits about the proper performance of hyperoxygenation and hyperinflation. CONCLUSIONS: Further research on closed-system suctioning is warranted, especially on the practices of hyperoxygenation and hyperinflation and the effect of these interventions on the prevention of suctioning-induced hypoxemia.

Pediatric critical care nurses' knowledge of cardiac dysrhythmias

1993 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 378-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Pettinger ◽  
SL Woods ◽  
SP Herndon
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Life Support ◽  
American Association ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Knowledge Level ◽  
Pediatric Critical Care ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Total Test ◽  
Nurses Knowledge

OBJECTIVE: To describe pediatric critical care nurses' knowledge of dysrhythmias in critically ill pediatric patients and relate this knowledge level to certain demographic variables (education, nursing experience, certification, supplemental training, area of employment and geographic region of residence). DESIGN: A descriptive survey. SETTING: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses' 19 geographic regions of the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Of 1000 questionnaires mailed to pediatric critical care nurses who were members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses in 1991, 356 responses were received (a response rate of 36%). INTERVENTION: A criterion-referenced, self-administered test regarding pediatric dysrhythmias and a demographic sheet randomly mailed to 1000 pediatric critical care nurses. Test results were analyzed and compared with demographic variables. RESULTS: The mean total test score was 66%. Significantly higher total test scores and selected subtest scores were demonstrated in relationship to the following variables: increased age; certification in pediatric advanced life support, advanced cardiac life support or adult critical care; increased years of adult critical care experience; advanced dysrhythmia courses and dysrhythmia self-study; and perceived knowledge level above that of the advanced beginner. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric critical care nurses' overall knowledge of dysrhythmias was low. Knowledge strengths included recognition of basic and life-threatening dysrhythmias and calculation of basic ECG measurements. Knowledge deficits included importance of sinus bradycardia in the neonate, appropriate intervention for life-threatening dysrhythmias and calculation of an irregular heart rate. These deficits should be considered when planning continuing education programs for pediatric critical care nurses.

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