Consider Early Enteral Feeding Bryan A. Cotton MD If the gut works, use it! As with other basic principles in patient care, this simple maxim of nutrition has sometimes been…

Be Aware that Enteral Feeds can Lower Phenytoin Levels Timothy M. Moore MD, PHD Faramarz Zarfeshanfard RPH Phenytoin (Dilantin) is an anticonvulsant drug, which can be useful in the treatment…

Consider Hypomagnesemia as a Cause of Refractory Hypokalemia Anthony D. Slonim MD, DRPH Hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia are both common electrolyte disturbances in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting. Magnesium and…

Consider Obtaining A Serum B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Level in the Acutely Dyspneic Patient Lawrence Osei MD B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a 32-amino-acid polypeptide cardiac neurohormone specifically secreted from the…

Remember That Diabetic Ketoacidosis Often Begins With an Anion-Gap Metabolic Acidosis Nirav G. Shah MD Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a common diagnosis encountered in the hospital setting with an estimated…

D-Dimer Levels Can Rule Out But Not Rule in Pulmonary Embolism in Postoperative Patients Hari Nathan MD D-dimer is a degradation product of cross-linked fibrin. A normal level of d-dimer…

Never Retest Low Serum Glucose; Treat Immediately and Then Prevent Further Episodes Kathleen A. Williams MSN, RN, CRNP Sherita Hill Golden MD, MHS Maintaining euglycemia in the inpatient setting has…

Use an Empty Lab Tube to Check the Viability of a Stoma B. Robert Gibson MD While stoma placement is typically considered a minor procedure, complications following it are frequent…

Check Thyroid Function in Critically Ill Patients Meghan C. Tadel MD Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can contribute to life-threatening situations during the care of critically ill patients. Although the most…

Obtain Blood Used for Mixed Venous Oxygen Testing From the Distal Pulmonary Artery Catheter Port Ala’ S. Haddadin MD Analysis of mixed venous blood provides valuable information in evaluating the…