What you need to know about IgA deficiency: a case study.

Purpose: To provide nurse practitioners (NPs) with an overview of the physiology, pathophysiology, associated diseases clinical implications for blood transfusions for patients with immunoglobulin A deficiency (IgAD).

Data Sources: A review of the scientific literature was performed on IgAD using PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL. The case study of a patient with IgAD going for cardiac surgery is used to integrate this knowledge into clinical practice.

Getting to the heart of pleural effusions: a case study.

Purpose: To provide nurse practitioners (NPs) with an overview of the physiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and comprehensive assessment, as well as the differential diagnosis process and initial management of patients with unilateral pleural effusions.

Data Sources: A review of the scientific literature was performed on pleural effusions, using Pub Med, Medline, and CINAHL. The case study of a patient with a pleural effusion related to heart failure is used to integrate this knowledge into clinical practice.

Total spinal anesthesia for cardiac surgery: does it make a difference in patient outcomes?

Background: Heart disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. While cardiac surgery is a viable treatment option, it is a potent physiological stressor. The surgical stress response may result in patient decompensation and negative patient outcomes.

Roadblock to recovery: the surgical stress response.

Inadequately managed post-operative pain and the resulting surgical stress response (SSR) negatively affect patient outcomes. Critical care nurses need to understand that adequate pain management is critical to enabling patient recovery. A review of the physiology and pathophysiology of the SSR provides concrete evidence to substantiate the need for critical care nurses to prioritize nursing care that focuses on the prevention, early detection, and management of pain and the surgical stress response.