Critical Care Nuts & Bolts 1st Edition

Target Audience
RN, CNS, CRNA, LPN/LVN, NP

Program Description
The purpose of this program is to provide a basic overview of common complications encountered in the critical care environment. We will discuss clinical assessment findings, as well as various etiologies that contribute to these. This course will discuss the spectrum of chest pain, causes, and treatment. We will provide an in-depth review of Acute Coronary Syndromes, recognition of ischemia vs. infarction, as well as treatment modalities for each. We will also review the various types of heart failure, differentiating between systolic and diastolic dysfunction, as well as treatment recommendations. As the number of patients diagnosed with heart failure continues to rise, we will also see an increase in comorbidities with our patients. Increased recognition and awareness of the pathophysiological processes are essential in providing safe, comprehensive care in today’s healthcare environment.

This course will also discuss pulmonary assessment skills, as well as a thorough review of arterial blood gas analysis and interpretation. Renal failure will also be reviewed; discussing the incidence and causes of both acute and chronic renal failure. We will end the course with a review of current data related to patients with Sepsis, recognition, and discussion of Early Goal Directed therapy. Emphasis will be placed upon early recognition and initiation of recommended protocols to improve patient outcomes.

Program Learning Outcomes
This program prepares the learner to:

  1. Compare and contrast the differences between NSTEMI & STEMI evaluation and treatment
  2. Verbalize the differences in pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of systolic and diastolic heart failure. Compare and contrast the differences in managing acute decompensated versus chronic heart failure.
  3. Adequately interpret six arterial blood gases (ABGs), and describe the ABG changes associated with acute respiratory failure.
  4. Describe the pathophysiologic changes, presentations and at least three treatments each for chronic bronchitis, emphysema, severe asthma, pneumonia and ARDS.
  5. Verbalize basic management of patients requiring ventilator support, including review of various ventilator modes and their purpose.
  6. List at least three causes, three diagnostic tests and three treatments of the following types of acute renal failure (ARF): Pre-renal, intrinsic renal, & post-obstructive uropathy.
  7. List at least two functions of the following areas of the brain: frontal, temporal, parietal, & occipital lobes; cerebrum, & cerebellum; pons, & medulla.
  8. Compare & contrast the pathophysiology, presentation, & treatments of epidural v. subdural hematomas.
  9. List at least three presenting signs & symptoms of ischemic/hemorrhagic stroke. 
  10. Describe the different etiologies of sepsis versus systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and how both can lead to multiple organ dysfunction (MODS).
  11. Describe the interplay between the sympathetic nervous system, renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis during the response to physiologic stressors.
  12. Discuss common electrolyte disorders encountered in the critical care environment, presenting symptoms, and treatment required to correct.
  13. Discuss advanced hemodynamic monitoring techniques, interpretation of various waveforms, and pharmacological management of hemodynamic parameters.