Sepsis

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However, it can suppress adrenal function through blockade of 11β-hydroxylase. This suppression persists for at least 24 hours, and some authors suggest that it may last up to 72 hours. This could harm patients with critical illness such as severe sepsis or septic shock. [8]Since it’s introduction in the 1970s, Propofol has become the most widely used IV hypnotic Today. The most prominent effect of Propofol is a…

techniques, and physical assessments to list a few. So once we entered the workforce we had some entry level competencies. In my five years of nursing I have become competent in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Sepsis treatment, the use of i-STAT handheld blood analyzer, and correct usage of the electrocardiogram…

Dobutamine is an inotropic drug used in septic shock as it stimulates myocardial beta-adrenergic receptors thus increasing cardiac output by increasing contractility and heart rate (Dellinger et al., 2013; Enrico et al., 2012). As per the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, vasopressin is indicated as an adjuvant medication for the treatment of catecholamine-resistant septic shock (Dellinger et al., 2013). Vasopressin stimulates V1 receptors in vascular smooth muscle resulting in…

Introduction Sepsis is a serious infection of the blood or tissues that affects the whole body. Septic shock is the final, most serious stage of this infection. It is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. What are the causes? Septic shock is caused by a drop in blood pressure. The drop keeps your organs from getting enough oxygen, causing them to fail. What increases the risk? You are more likely to develop this condition if: You are very young or elderly. You have AIDS or…

S. aureus is clinically recognised as an important pathogen in terms of human infection. Despite its common presence in the natural microbiota of the human body, S. aureus is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections. Infection with this pathogen can lead to a range of disorders from relatively mild skin infections to life threatening illness such as osteomyelitis. The ability of S. aureus to control expression of a virulent phenotype according to environmental conditions is regulated…

Pleural effusion is the most common manifestation of pleural disease. Pleural effusion occurs when there is an accumulation of fluid in the pleural space and is commonly known as “water on the lungs” (Cramer, 2015). The accumulation of this fluid prevents the lungs from fully opening, which may result in dyspnea. It is estimated that approximately one million Americans will develop pleural effusion each year. Pleural effusion itself is not actually a disease, it is the result of many different…

Hypermetabolism is the physiological condition of increased rate of metabolic activity and is described by a strange increment in the body's basal metabolic rate. Hypermetabolism is caused by injury or multiple traumas to the body. This could be in the form of surgery, bone fractures, infections, burns and bone marrow transplant. Hypermetabolism is a symptom of hyperthyroidism which is characterised by an increment in the production of thyroid hormones hence an increase in the rate of cellular…

NDNQI benchmarking process. “Nursing-sensitive indicators identify structures of care and care processes, both of which in turn influence care outcomes” (Montalvo, 2007, p. 2). The NDNQI Indicators that are recorded on this medical-surgical unit are sepsis, stroke, nursing hours per patient day, and VTE. Results of these indicators are shared every three months by the hospital. These nursing quality indicators are implemented by making sure nurses follow protocol and document all findings. The…

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) occur when alveoli of the lungs are filled with fluids due to severe injury or illness. This fluid buildup instead of air in the alveolar air sacs causes decreased level of oxygen transfer from the lungs to the blood stream. A chest x-ray will show clinical appearance of acute pulmonary edema without elevated left atrial pressure or cardiogenic causes (Brochard, 2011). This will cause a severe deprivation of oxygen to vital organs and leads to…