Article Outline

• Respiratory
• • Breathing Rate, Rhythm, Nature, and Effort
  • Audible Sounds
  • Ventilometry
  • Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide
  • Hypoventilation
  • Cyanosis
  • Partial Pressure of Oxygen
  • Hemoglobin Saturation with Oxygen
  • Oxygen Therapy
• Cardiovascular
• • Heart Rate and Rhythm
  • Pulse Quality
  • Central Venous Pressure
  • Arterial Blood Pressure
  • Cardiac Output
  • Oxygen Delivery
  • Fluid Therapy
• Neurologic
• • Mental Awareness and Cranial Nerves
  • Neuromuscular Status
  • Management of Deteriorating Neurologic Status
• Temperature
• • Hypothermia
  • Hyperthermia
• Gastrointestinal
• • Vomiting
• Renal
• Hepatic
• Hematological
• • Hemoglobin
  • Oncotic Pressure
  • Coagulation
  • Glucose
  • Metabolic Acid-Base Status
  • Sodium
  • Potassium
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
• General Principles in the Care of Critically Ill Poisoned Patients
• • Infection Control
  • Insertion and Maintenance of Indwelling Vascular Catheters
  • Insertion and Maintenance of Indwelling Urinary Catheters
  • Patient Comfort
• The Recumbent Patient
• • Positioning
  • Optimizing Fluid Therapy
• The Unconscious, Heavily Sedated, or Anesthetized Patient
• • Endotracheal Intubation
  • Airway Humidification
  • Oral Care
  • Ocular Care
  • Bladder Care
  • Colon Care
• Nutrition
• • Resting Energy Requirement