Cover Article:

Donna J. Mackenzie, Pamela K. Popplewell, and Kevin G. Billingsley

Care of Patients After Esophagectomy
Esophageal cancer is one of the most lethal of all malignant diseases. The authors address the etiology and clinical findings of this type of cancer, as well as the surgical management, nursing care, and postoperative complications.
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):16-29. [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Clinical Articles:

Amy L. Richmond, Dena L. Jarog, and Vicki M. Hanson

Unplanned Extubation in Adult Critical Care: Quality Improvement and Education Payoff
The authors describe how they developed and instituted a new policy and procedure for unplanned extubations, updated an existing policy and procedure, and were successful in decreasing the number of unplanned extubations in their institution.
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):32-37. [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Claudia P. Barone, Carmelita S. Pablo, and Gary W. Barone

Postanesthetic Care in the Critical Care Unit
Often, critically ill patients bypass the postanesthesia unit and recover in the critical care unit. The authors discuss the need for critical care nurses to monitor patients for return of consciousness, protective reflexes, and readiness for extubation.
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):38-45. [Full Text] [PDF] [CE Test]  

Special Features:

Maria R. Shirey, Beverly S. Farmer, and Lynn S. Schnautz

One Hospital’s Experience With a CCRN Drive: A Successful Approach
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):46-52. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Jacqueline Fowler Byers

Protecting Patients During Clinical Research
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):53-59. [Full Text] [PDF]  

E. Paige Benson

Online Learning: A Means to Enhance Professional Development
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):60-63. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Mehrdad M. Behnia and Kitty Garrett

Association of Tension Pneumothorax With Use of Small-Bore Chest Tubes in Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilation
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):64-65. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Departments:

Grif Alspach

Wanna Grow Old??? Then Lose the Attitude...
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):8-9. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Carol Rajda, Mary Kay Bader, Linda R. Littlejohns, and Karen March

Placement of a nasogastric tube
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):10. [Full Text] [PDF]  

M. Chauvette, N. Alexander, and Ainslie T. Nibert

Bedside nursing is "hard" and therefore undesirable
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):10-12. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Michael Loyd and Ainslie T. Nibert

Missing opportunities to practice in ICU settings
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):12. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Jo Ann Jenkins and Ainslie T. Nibert

Preceptors helping with remediation
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):13. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Mark Hollinger, Tina Martin, and Sharon Lobert

Chemical warfare issues
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):14. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Marjorie A. Stock, Laura Cullen, Marita Titler, and Ronda Drahozal

Family visitation
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):14-15. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Julie Martchenke, Mary Frances D. Pate, Maria Cruz, and Serena Phromsivarak

Ask the Experts
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):66-67. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Ruthe C. Ashley

The Second Element of Negligience
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):68-69. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Sandra K. Hanneman

Weaning From Short-term Mechanical Ventilation
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):70-73. [Full Text] [PDF]  

Marilyn Petterson

If You Offer It, They Will Come, Long Island Health System Faces Nursing Shortage Head On
Crit Care Nurse 2004 Feb;24(1):80-79. [Full Text] [PDF]  

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