Effects of nurse delivered thoracic ultrasound on management of adult intensive care unit patients: A prospective observational study.

Background: Thoracic ultrasound is a valuable tool that helps diagnose cardiopulmonary disorders and guide management in intensive care unit patients. Intensive care unit nurses were trained to perform thoracic ultrasound examinations, after which they were named 'UltraNurses' for clinical recognizability. UltraNurses demonstrated rapid learning trajectories, but the impact on clinical-decision making remained unknown.

Myocardial metabolism, catecholamine balance, and left ventricular function during coronary artery surgery: effects of nitroprusside and nifedipine.

The effects of nitroprusside and nifedipine on myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2), catecholamine release, and left ventricular (LV) function (using 2D transesophageal echocardiography) were compared. Thirty-seven patients undergoing coronary artery surgery, anesthetized with fentanyl, 100 micrograms/kg, were studied. All had good LV function and had been receiving long-term oral beta-blocking therapy.

Investigating the phenomenon of helplessness in mentally retarded adults.

Helplessness, or the inability to take effective action in a problem situation, appears to involve both behavioral-motivational and competence factors. As a personality characteristic, it may cause difficulties in community adjustment for mentally retarded persons. Helplessness in a group of mentally retarded adults was investigated through a set of behavioral and questionnaire measures specifically adapted for this population.