Inova Loudoun HospitalICUSAMANTHA MENDIGUREN

Critical Care Nurse

▪ Assigned one to two patients in the ICU.

▪ Checks on patients overall well being, administers medicine, and provides basic health care along with both physical and emotional support.

▪ Checks for:

- Vital Signs1. Blood pressure2. Pulse3. Respiratory Rate4. Temperature

CATHY STAATS

Types of Medical Conditions in the ICU

Conditions Examples

Infections/Sepsis -Pneumonia –UTI –Gastrointestinal infections

Cardiovascular Diseases -Heart attack –Stroke

Intoxication -Alcohol –Drugs

Suicide Attempts -Intentional drug OD (antidepressants)

Bleeding -Ulcers –Colon –Liver disease (prone)

Criteria for ICU Admission

▪ Severity of illness

▪ Unstable vital signs (low blood pressure, low pulse)

▪ Respiratory distress(difficulty breathing, low oxygen)

▪ Altered mental status (comatose)

▪ Active bleeding

▪ Acute neurological deterioration (stroke, seizure)

▪ Need for mechanical ventilation (short of breath)

Treatment Equipment

▪ Ventilator- Supplies patient with oxygen and ventilation. Tube goes through the mouth and into the wind pipe. Breathes for the patient.

▪ Arctic Sun- Machine that cools the body when people go through cardiac arrest to prevent brain injury.

▪ IV Pump- Sets the rate of fluid injection into the patient.

▪ Hemodynamic Monitor- Measures the patient vital signs (blood pressure and heart rate).

▪ Feeding Pump- Tube from the mouth to the stomach to provide food while the patient is on the ventilator.

Patient Care: Progressive Mobility

Occupational Therapy

Helps the patient start to use their fine motor skills (writing, opening doors, getting dressed)

Speech TherapyHelps the patient to be able to swallow and talk

Physical TherapyHelps the patient get stronger physically

Passive & Active Movement

Additional Modalities of Care

• Pet Therapy

• Music Therapy

• Spiritual Support

Overall ExperienceI feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from such an exceptional staff in the ICU. Observing the nurses and doctors was not only and amazing learning experience, but it was very humbling. I’m now a lot more educated about health care and am also an emotionally stronger person. I will be forever grateful for my health and the health of those around me.