Residual Neuromuscular Blockade in the Critical Care Setting.

Residual neuromuscular blockade is a widespread challenge for providers in the acute care setting that, if left unrecognized or untreated, places patients at higher risk for morbidity and mortality. The condition is estimated to occur in 26% to 88% of patients undergoing general anesthesia. The role of the advanced practice nurse in the acute care setting is to facilitate a safe recovery process by identifying early signs of deterioration and supporting the patient until full muscular strength has returned.

Target temperature within 3 hours: community hospital's experience with therapeutic hypothermia.

Therapeutic hypothermia has been shown to improve neurological outcomes for patients who survive cardiac arrest. Timely cooling can be achieved by rapid initiation of a comprehensive targeted temperature protocol, which includes shivering assessment and management. The purpose of the study was to evaluate an updated therapeutic hypothermia protocol for patients who survive cardiac arrest.

The effects of vasopressin on the renal system in vasodilatory shock.

An estimated 700,000 cases of sepsis occur each year in the United States alone, over half of which will develop renal failure. Of those that develop renal failure, 70% will die. This article will examine how the use of vasopressin in sepsis may improve some aspects of renal function.