Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Nursing Care in the Intensive Care Unit Setting: The Role of the Nurse in the ICU

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Critical Care Study Guide

Abstract

After studying this chapter, you should be able to: Identify the role the critical care nurse (CCN) plays as an advocate for the critically ill patients and their family. Recognize the contribution of the CCN to the critical care team through collaboration and communication. Describe the role of the CCN in patient assessment and subsequent formulation of the plan-of-care. Categorize the critical nursing interventions that can prevent or mitigate nosocomial infections and common complications seen in the critically ill patient.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Murray T, Simko LM. Acute and critical care clinical nurse specialists: synergy for best practices. Crit Care Nurse. 2008;28:68.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Hardin SR, Kaplow R. Synergy for Clinical Excellence: The AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care. Sudbury, Mass: Jones & Bartlett; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Manojlovich M, Antonakos CL, Ronis DL. Intensive care units, communication between nurses and physicians, and patients’ outcomes. Am J Crit Care. 2009;18:21-30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Kendall-Gallagher D, Blegen MA. Competence and certification of registered nurses and safety of patients in intensive care units. Am J Crit Care. 2009;18:106-113.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Larson E. The impact of physician-nurse interaction on patient care. Holist Nurs Pract. 1999;13(2):38-46.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Vazirani S, Hays RD, Shapiro MF, et al. Effect of a multidisciplinary intervention on communication and collaboration among physicians and nurses. Am J Crit Care. 2005;14:71-77.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Higgins PA, Daly BJ, Lipson AR, et al. Assessing nutritional status in chronically critically ill adult patients. Am J Crit Care. 2006;15:166-176.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Akhtar SR, Weaver J, Pierson DJ, and Rubenfeld GD. Practice variation in respiratory therapy documentation during mechanical ventilation. Chest. 2003;124:2275-2282; doi:10.1378/chest.124.6.2275.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Ricart M, Lorente C, Diaz E, Kollef MH, Rello J. Nursing adherence with evidence-based guidelines for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia. Crit Care Med. 2003;31(11):2693-2696.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Krimsky WS, Mroz IB, McIlwaine JK, et al. A model for increasing patient safety in the intensive care unit: increasing the implementation rates of proven safety measures. Qual Saf Health Care. 2009;18:74-80; doi:10.1136/qshc.2007.024844.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Shojania KG, Duncan BW, McDonald KM, Wachter RM, eds. Making Health Care Safer: A Critical Analysis of Patient Safety Practices. Rockville MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2001. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment No. 43; AHRQ 01-E0.

    Google Scholar 

  12. http://www.jointcommission.org/patientsafety/nationalpatientsafetygoals/; 2009 Accessed 08.08.09.

  13. Gélinas C, Fillion L, Puntillo KA, et al. Validation of the critical-care pain observation tool in adult patients. Am J Crit Care. 2006;15:420-427.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Steinhauser KE, Christakis NA, Clipp EC, McNeilly M, McIntyre L, Tulsky JA. Factors considered important at the end of life by patients, family, physicians, and other care providers. JAMA. 2000; 284:2476-2482.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Additional Reading

  • American Nurses Association. Code of Ethics for Nurses with Imperative Statements. Washington, DC: ANA; 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Association of Critical Care Nurses. AACN Standards for Establishing and Sustaining Healthy Work Enviroment: A Journey to Excellence. Aliso Viejo, CA: American Association of Critical Care Nurses; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hardin SR, Kaplan R. Synergy for Clinical Excellence: The AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care. Sudbury, Mass: Jones & Bartlett; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vazirani S, Hays RD, et al. Effect of a multidisciplinary intervention on communication and collaboration between nurses and physicians, and nurses. Am J Crit Care. 2005;14:71-77.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, AACN Certification Corporation. Safeguarding the patient and the profession: the value of critical care nurse certification. Am J Crit Care. 2003;12:154-164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manojlovich M, Antonakos C, Ronis D. Intensive care units, communication between nurses and physicians and patients outcomes. Am J Crit Care. 2009;18:21-30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kendall-Gallagher D, Blegan M. Competence and certification of registered nurses and safety of patients in intensive care units. Am J Crit Care. 2009;18:106-113.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Day L. Advocacy, agency, and collaboration. Am J Crit Care. 2006;15:428-430.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joint Commission on Accredidation of Healthcare Organizations. Healthcare at a Crossroads: Strategies for Addressing the Evolving Nursing Crisis. Oakbrook Terrace, IL: Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations; 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rauen CA, Chulay M, Bridges E, et al. Seven evidence-based practice habits: putting some sacred cows out to pasture. Crit Care Nurse. 2008;28:98-123.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. 2004 National Critical Care Survey: Findings Report. Aliso Viejo, CA: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahrens T, Yancey V, Kollef M. Improving family communications at the \ of life: Implications for length of stay in the intensive care unit and resource use. Am J Crit Care. 2003;12:317-324.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffman LA, Happ MB, Scharfenberg C, et al. Perceptions of physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists about the role of acute care nurse practitioners. Am J Crit Care. 2004;13:480-488.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rose L, Nelson S, Johnston L, Presneill JJ. Decisions made by critical care nurses during mechanical ventilation and weaning in an Australian intensive care unit. Am J Crit Care. 2007;16:434-443.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Gwendolyn Vance RN, CCTC

  2. Temple Lung Center, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Debra Koczen-Doyle RN, MSN & Marianne Butler-Lebair RN, BSN, MSN

  3. Temple Lung Center, Division of Pulmonary and Critical care Medicine, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Deborah Mcgee-Mccullough RN, BSN, MBA

  4. Department of Nursing, Temple Lung Center, Temple University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, 19140, USA

    Anne Marie Kuzma MSN

Authors
  1. Gwendolyn Vance RN, CCTC
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Debra Koczen-Doyle RN, MSN
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Deborah Mcgee-Mccullough RN, BSN, MBA
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Anne Marie Kuzma MSN
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Marianne Butler-Lebair RN, BSN, MSN
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Medicine, Temple University, N. Broad St. 3420, Philadelphia, 19140, USA

    Gerard J. Criner

  2. Dept. Medicine, Temple University, N. Broad Street 3401, Philadelphia, 19140, USA

    Rodger E. Barnette

  3. School of Medicine, Temple University, N. Broad St. 3420, Philadelphia, 19140, USA

    Gilbert E. D'Alonzo

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2010 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Vance, G., Koczen-Doyle, D., Mcgee-Mccullough, D., Kuzma, A.M., Butler-Lebair, M. (2010). Nursing Care in the Intensive Care Unit Setting: The Role of the Nurse in the ICU. In: Criner, G., Barnette, R., D'Alonzo, G. (eds) Critical Care Study Guide. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-77452-7_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-77452-7_13

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-387-77327-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-77452-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation