Week 4 Flashcards
How is ICU ward different than regular?
On ICU, more medically unstable, higher medical needs,
On ICU, higher nurse pt ratio ( usually 1 nurse to 4 or 5 pts, ICU = 1:1 / 1 nurse:2 pts )
Characteristics of ICU beds?
Mattresses designed to ease mobility and decrease pressure injuries
ICU mattresses give less pressure to avoid pressure injuries (skin)
Automatic lateral shifts
Easier transfers in/out of bed
Chair position
ICU Beds recline almost to 90 degrees, Sitting position help with breathing and skin issues, avoids the issue of transferring to chair to sit
Even though specialized equipment on ICU is different, they DO NOT replace positioning schedules
Important considerations for patients in ICU
- Level of consciousness (GCS)
- Imaging, lab results
- Pain level
- Vital signs variability
- Lines- IV lines, catheter, chest tube, ventilator line and machine, feeding tube, oxygen line, holter monitor
- Prescribed levels of activity (activity as tolerated- AAT, bed rest)
- Specific oxygen requirements (e.g. keep at above 90%)
- Decreased cognition and/or delirum
Delirium
Confused thinking and reduced awareness of the environment
40% of delirium cases are PREVENTABLE
start of delirium is rapid (within hours or a few days)
Incidence is higher in intensive care units
Recovery after delirium may take months and symptoms may linger for years after
How long does it take to recover from delirium?
Recovery after delirium may take months and symptoms may linger for years after
The onset of delirium is _______
rapid
(within hours or a few days)
40% of delirium cases are _______
PREVENTABLE
What are some ways to prevent delirium:
1) Early mobility and exercise
2) Proper pain management
3) Management of sedatives: benzodiazepines, narcotics
4) Improving sleep
–> Positions for sleep
–> Mental techniques (meditation)
–> pts in ICU generally get 2-8hrs sleep per day
Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)
Outcome measure for identification of delirium at the bedside (often done by nurses)
If pt is ‘cam positive’ = pt is in delirium, if pt is ‘cam negative’ = pt is not in delirium
What does it mean if a pt is ‘cam positive’ or ‘cam negative’
‘cam positive’ = pt is in delirium
‘cam negative’ = pt is not in delirium
What body systems does immobility affect?
Integumentary
Neuromuscular
Cardiovascular/respiratory
Musculoskeletal
Pressure injuries
Injuries to skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin
Warning signs
- Unusual changes in skin color or texture
- Swelling
- Pus-like draining
- An area of skin that feels cooler or warmer to the touch than other areas
- Tender areas
What are warning signs of pressure injuries?
Warning signs
- Unusual changes in skin color or texture
- Swelling
- Pus-like draining
- An area of skin that feels cooler or warmer to the touch than other areas
- Tender areas
The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP) Stages:
Stage 1 – you press on skin and it stays red there is no white (circulation has decreased)
Stage 2 – outer layer of skin is damaged, but other layers are still intact
Stage 3 – multiple layers are damaged, “getting more into core of apple’
Stage 4 – even more layers damaged than stage 3
Unstageable – tendons, muscles are visible
Deep tissue – purple in color, you don’t know what’s underneath necrosis
What NPAUP stage is “multiple layers are damaged, “getting more into core of apple’”
Stage 3
What NPAUP stage is “outer layer of skin is damaged, but other layers are still intact”
Stage 2
