Nursing in PCU and ICU: Medication & Emergency Response

Nursing in PCU and ICU

Medication Administration

• High-Risk Medications: Knowledge of high-alert medications (e.g., insulin, anticoagulants) is crucial.
• Dosage Calculations: Verify dosages carefully, especially for weight-based medications.
• Infusion Pumps: Use of infusion pumps for precise delivery of IV medications; monitor for accuracy.
• Documentation: Accurate and timely documentation of medication administration is essential.
• Patient Education: Educate patients and families about medications, side effects, and purpose.

Emergency Response

• Rapid Response Teams: Understand the protocol for calling a rapid response team in critical situations.
• Basic Life Support (BLS): Proficiency in CPR techniques and use of an AED is mandatory.
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS): Familiarity with ACLS algorithms for handling cardiac emergencies.
• Emergency Equipment: Knowledge of location and use of emergency equipment (crash cart, intubation supplies).

Critical Care Protocols

• Standardized Protocols: Adhere to established protocols for patient management (e.g., sepsis, stroke).
• Ventilator Management: Understanding settings and adjustments for patients on mechanical ventilation.
• Sedation and Analgesia: Use sedation protocols to manage patient comfort and awareness.
• Infection Control: Follow strict infection control measures (hand hygiene, sterile techniques).

Multidisciplinary Teamwork

• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with physicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and dietitians.
• Care Rounds: Participate in daily interdisciplinary rounds to discuss patient progress and care plans.
• Communication: Clear, concise communication is vital among team members to ensure coordinated care.
• Role Clarity: Understand the roles of each team member to optimize patient care delivery.

Patient Assessment

• Comprehensive Assessment: Conduct thorough physical assessments focusing on vital signs, neurological status, and hemodynamic stability.
• Monitoring: Continuous monitoring of patients using telemetry and other vital sign equipment.
• Pain Assessment: Utilize pain scales to assess and manage patient pain effectively.
• Changes in Condition: Ability to recognize and respond to subtle changes in a patient’s condition promptly.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate and timely records of assessments and patient responses to interventions.

Medication Administration

• High-risk medications, such as insulin and anticoagulants, require careful management due to their potential for causing significant harm if mishandled.
• Dosage calculations must be verified diligently, particularly for weight-based medications to avoid dosing errors.
• Infusion pumps ensure precise delivery of IV medications; regular monitoring is necessary to confirm proper functioning and accuracy.
• Accurate documentation of medication administration is critical for safety and legal responsibility.
• Patient and family education about medications, including side effects and therapeutic purpose, enhances treatment adherence and safety.

Emergency Response

• Familiarity with the protocol for activating rapid response teams is essential during critical situations to ensure timely intervention.
• Proficiency in Basic Life Support (BLS), including CPR techniques and the use of an AED, is mandatory for nursing personnel in critical care settings.
• Being well-versed in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) algorithms is important for managing cardiac emergencies effectively.
• Knowledge of emergency equipment locations, such as crash carts and intubation supplies, is necessary for prompt action in emergencies.

Critical Care Protocols

• Adhering to established standardized protocols for patient management, such as those for sepsis or stroke, promotes best practices in care.
• Understanding ventilator settings and adjustments is vital for managing patients who are mechanically ventilated.
• Utilizing sedation protocols helps manage patient comfort and awareness appropriately for those in critical care.
• Infection control measures, including strict hand hygiene and maintaining sterile techniques, are essential to prevent healthcare-associated infections.

Multidisciplinary Teamwork

• Collaborative practices with physicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and dietitians enhance holistic patient care.
• Active participation in daily interdisciplinary care rounds is critical for discussing patient progress and collaborative care planning.
• Clear and concise communication among healthcare team members is vital to ensure a coordinated approach to patient care.
• Understanding the specific roles of each multidisciplinary team member optimizes the effectiveness of patient care delivery.

Patient Assessment

• Conducting comprehensive assessments, focusing on vital signs, neurological status, and hemodynamic stability, is crucial for patient care in critical settings.
• Continuous monitoring of patients with telemetry and other vital sign equipment allows for early detection of changes.
• Employing appropriate pain assessment tools is essential to effectively manage and alleviate patient pain.
• Quickly recognizing and responding to subtle changes in a patient's condition allows for timely intervention and improves outcomes.
• Accurate and timely documentation of assessments and patient responses to interventions is essential for effective care continuity.

This quiz focuses on essential knowledge for nursing in Progressive Care Units (PCU) and Intensive Care Units (ICU). It covers medication administration, including high-risk medications, dosage calculations, and patient education, along with emergency response techniques such as BLS and ACLS. These skills are critical for ensuring patient safety and effective care in critical situations.