Biomedical subjects

Heather Ead

Publications and source records attributed to Heather Ead.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

From Aldrete to PADSS: Reviewing discharge criteria after ambulatory surgery.

Nurses working in perianesthesia care areas use discharge scoring criteria to complete patient assessments and ensure patient readiness for discharge or transfer to the next phase of recovery. However, all discharge criteria have both advantages and disadvantages. Comparative studies on the reliability of the different discharge criteria in use are extremely limited. As the acuity of our aging population increases, as well as the number of annual surgeries performed on an outpatient basis, it is most timely to ensure that we are following evidence-based discharge criteria.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2004

Post-anesthesia tracheal extubation.

Caring for the patient in the post-anesthetic period requires an understanding of the intubation and extubation process. The nurse must be knowledgeable of the numerous tracheal extubation-related complications that can occur. Tracheal extubation is a vulnerable period for the patient; there is risk of aspiration, laryngospasm, a cardiovascular response, or hypoventilation occurring. In this article, the author reviews the more common post-extubation difficulties, risk factors, and treatment modalities. After reviewing extubation criteria and the safe extubation process, the nurse can apply this knowledge to patient care. Although nurses are excellent initiators of tracheal extubation, the procedure is ideally performed by an anesthetist or internist who can treat complications that arise, or re-intubate the patient, if required.

Airway Obstruction↗

PubMed2003

Review of laryngospasm and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.

Laryngospasm is an emergency situation that requires rapid identification and resolution of the obstructed glottis. Although there is a low incidence of laryngospasm, it is important to remember that any patient has the potential for post-extubation laryngospasm. Nurses must know about the causes, risk factors and treatment for this respiratory emergency. This includes the plan of care and possible medications administered to assist in restoring the patient's airway. Nurses must be able to respond quickly to avoid complications such as noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) and respiratory arrest. The triggers, signs and symptoms, and treatment of NCPE are also reviewed. Due to the risk of laryngospasm recurring or NCPE presenting itself, any patient who has had laryngospasm needs close monitoring for two to three hours after the laryngospasm has resolved. It is important for nurses to review the interventions for laryngospasm and NCPE prior to caring for a patient with this respiratory emergency.

Adult↗