Review of Critical Care Nursing: Case Studies and Applications

This text presents 26 case studies in pulmonary, cardiac, renal, neurological, gastrointestinal, endocrine, and multisystem problems. The progression of each illness is followed through from symptoms to management, and readers are asked to interpret laboratory results and other diagnostic studies, and anticipate the need for additional assessment data. Following each case, 10 to 20 questions address: pathophysiology; symptoms; diagnostic studies; lab values; medications; interpretation of electrocardiograms; pulmonary artery and arterial line wave forms; indications, contraindications and potential complications of treatment; prevention of further problems; and prognosis of the illness. The text aims to help students distinguish between vital information and information that may cloud understanding of the disease process. In addition, it meets the NLN criterion for enhancing student critical thinking.