CCN -- Table of Contents (February 2002, 22 [1])

Cover Article:

Charlotte Pooler and Anna Barkman: Myocardial Injury: Contrasting Infarction and Contusion
Understanding the differences between acute myocardial infarction and myocardial contusion is important to facilitate healing, prevent complications, and provide accurate information to patients who have experienced one or both of these complications. This article uses a case study format to describe and contrast these 2 myocardial injuries.
Crit Care Nurse 2002 Feb;22(1):15-26. [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]

Donna R. Zevola, Maureen Raffa, and Kathleen Brown: Using Clinical Pathways in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Valve Surgery
Clinical pathways--a standard of practice for the care of a certain population of patients--have been used to improve patients' care and use of resources, resulting in cost containment. In this article, the authors describe a clinical pathway for cardiac surgery patients, review protocols used together with this pathway, and present 2 case studies.
Crit Care Nurse 2002 Feb;22(1):31-50. [Full Text] [PDF]

Barbara T. Lorenz and Kathleen M. Coyte: Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Without Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Review and Nursing Implications
Off-bypass procedures have been regaining popularity as cardiac surgeons attempt to decrease the risks of surgical revascularization. In this article, the authors provide an overview of the adverse effects of cardiopulmonary bypass, a review of the literature in which the outcomes and on- and off-bypass procedures are compared, and a discussion of nursing implications related to this emerging new trend.
Crit Care Nurse 2002 Feb;22(1):51-60. [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]

Rebecca Dahlen: Managing Patients With Acute Thyrotoxicosis
Critical care nurses who have an understanding of acute thyrotoxicosis (a life-threatening condition that occurs as a result of excess production and release of the thyroid hormones triiodothyronine and thyroxine) can quickly intervene to improve patients' outcomes. The author describes thyroid physiology, discusses the clinical manifestations and treatment of acute thyrotoxicosis, and presents a case study of a patient with thyrotoxicosis who was admitted to the critical care unit because of acute congestive heart failure.
Crit Care Nurse 2002 Feb;22(1):62-69. [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]

Zara R. Brenner: Lessons for Critical Care Nurses on Caring for the Dying
Crit Care Nurse 2002 Feb;22(1):11-12. [Full Text] [PDF]

Kevin Waterman: Reader survey on nursing shortage
Crit Care Nurse 2002 Feb;22(1):14. [Full Text] [PDF]

Flerida Imperial-Perez and Marion McRae: Arterial Pressure Monitoring
Crit Care Nurse 2002 Feb;22(1):70-72. [Full Text] [PDF]

Gloria Oblouk Darovic: Percutaneous Sheath Introducer Systems Used for Venous Access
Crit Care Nurse 2002 Feb;22(1):74-77. [Full Text] [PDF]

Elizabeth Hand: Surviving Clinical Competencies: Taking the Immunity Challenge
Crit Care Nurse 2002 Feb;22(1):88-87. [Full Text] [PDF]

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