Monitoring Respiratory Function
*If the patient has COPD or congenital heart disease, cyanosis may be ‘constant’. COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE BREATHLESS PATIENT Occasional breathlessness is a common human experience and may be a…
Monitoring Cardiovascular Function 2: Haemodynamic Monitoring
Cardiac Output Cardiac output is the amount of blood ejected from the left ventricle in 1 minute. At rest this is approximately 5000 ml. It is determined by heart rate…
Monitoring Cardiovascular Function 1: ECG Monitoring
SETTING UP ECG MONITORING The following measures should be observed when setting up ECG monitoring (Jevon 2009): 1. Explain the procedure to the patient. 2. Prepare the skin: ensure that…
Monitoring During Transport
Fig. 18.2 Inside a paramedic ambulance. Noise and daylight may render monitors and their alarms unreadable and inaudible. Ambulances rely on battery sources for electrical power. Consequently hospital-based equipment that…
Record Keeping
IMPORTANCE OF GOOD RECORD KEEPING Record keeping is an integral part of nursing, midwifery and health visiting practice. It is a tool of professional practice and one that should help…
Monitoring Pain
Macintyre and Schug (2007) METHODS OF ASSESSING PAIN The inability of health-care professionals to adequately assess pain is one of the primary reasons for inadequate pain management (Prevost 2009). The…
Monitoring the Critically Ill Child
This formula is not suitable, however, for use in a child aged <1 year; although a term newborn infant averages 3.5 kg, by 6 months the birthweight has usually doubled…
Monitoring a Patient Receiving a Blood Transfusion
Fresh Frozen Plasma and Cryoprecipitate Standard fresh frozen plasma (FFP) is produced from both UK and non-UK donors; methylene blue FFP is available for children under the age of 16…
Monitoring Endocrine Function
Fig. 10.2 Blood glucose monitoring chart (Walsall Hospitals NHS Trust). Best Practice – Blood Glucose Measurements Use soap and water, not alcohol swab, to clean the site Ensure that test…
Monitoring Renal Function
MONITORING FLUID BALANCE Monitoring fluid balance in critical illness is paramount. Constant monitoring and vigilance by the nurse coupled with an understanding of disease processes are vital because clinical conditions…
