Category:

Critical Care Nursing

Course Outline

  • Cardiovascular system
  • Physiology of circulation
  • Electrophysiological properties of the heart
  • Normal and abnormal cardiac dysrhythmias
  • Pathological conditions
  • Bedside hemodynamic monitoring
  • Thrombolytic agent selection and management
  • Acute myocardial infarction
  • Respiratory system
  • Mechanical ventilation
  • Central nervous system
  • Endocrine system
  • Renal system
  • Shock
  • Analgesics, sedatives and paralytics
  • Nutritional support in the critically ill
  • Advanced cardiac life support

Learning Objectives

Chapter 1: Respiratory System

  1. Describe the anatomy of the respiratory system.
  2. Explain pulmonary function tests.
  3. Describe the gas exchange processes.
  4. Provide major classifications of acid-base disturbances.
  5. Identify various pathological disease states, stating the etiology, pathophysiology, assessment, diagnosis, and patient management.
  6. Provide purposes and indications for chest tube insertion.

Chapter 2: Cardiovascular System

  1. State the principles of blood flow.
  2. List sympathetic and parasympathetic effects on the cardiopulmonary system.
  3. Classify 5 components of chest pains during the assessment process.
  4. Explain various heart sounds, and their importance.
  5. Prepare nursing care plans for the diagnosis of angina, myocardial infarction, heart failure pericarditis, and dissecting aortic aneurysms.
  6. List 4 components of the central • nervous system.
  7. Explain the neurological assessment •with the Glasgow Coma Scale.
  8. Describe the importance of intracranial pressure monitoring.
  9. Identify specific neurological The problems a nurse is called upon to common provide interventions for and state neurological differences among patients.
  10. Prepare a nursing care plan for CNA, seizures, hematoma and meningitis.

Chapter 6: The Renal System

  1. List 5 major functions of the nephrons components.
  2. Define glomerular filtration rate and identify factors that may alter GFR.
  3. Explain the countercurrent mechanism and list the six steps allowing the kidneys to adjust the urine osmolarity.
  4. Identify 3 defining characteristics of renal failure.
  5. Prepare a nursing care plan for acute renal failure.

Chapter 7: Advanced Cardiac Life Support

  1. Outline the 7-phase response for resuscitation when applying ACLS in patient management.
  2. List various drugs used in ACLS.
  3. Follow the algorithm for ventricular fibrillation and pulseless VT.

Comments

“Excellent book – Good review – Excellent contents and arrangement of material.” – S.D., New Orleans, LA

“Very informative, keep us up to date and good references.” – T.H., Reseda, CA

“Excellent- employed as ER RN for 15 years. Recently started career as critical care transport RN. Will still continue studying your book of hemodynamic monitoring, ventilators, etc. that ER nursing does not apply to. The Renal section is a killer.” – M.I., Seaside, CA

“This will be a great reference book.” – P.B., San Leandro, CA

“Due to an unusually busy schedule. I just picked up the book whenever I could. It was hard and had so much information but would probably be good for someone wanting to work in ICU.” – M.L., RN, CA