Page 270 - Critical Care Notes

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TOOLS
SPECT............single-photon emission Temp.................................temperature
computed tomography TIA ...............transient ischemic attack
SpO 2 ...............saturation of peripheral TnI .........................................troponin I
oxygen via pulse oximetry TOF....................................train of four
SRA................serotonin release assay TPN ..............total parenteral nutrition
STAT .................................immediately TSH.......thyroid-stimulating hormone
STEMI ...............ST-segment elevation UA..........................................urinalysis
myocardial infarction UGI...................... upper gastrointestinal
SV ..................................stroke volume UTI.....................urinary tract infection
SVCS .....................superior vena cava VAC ..............vacuum-assisted closure
syndrome VAD..................ventricular assist device
SvO 2 .............systemic venous oxygen VAP .....................ventilator-associated
saturation pneumonia
SVR........systemic vascular resistance VAS ......................Visual Analog Scale
SVT........supraventricular tachycardia VF ......................ventricular fibrillation
T .....................................thoracic spine VO 2 .....................oxygen consumption
VAPS...........volume assured pressure vol .............................................volume
support V/Q......................ventilation:perfusion
TAVR .....................transcatheter aortic VR...................................venous return
valve replacement VS .........................................vital signs
TBI.....................traumatic brain injury VT....................ventricular tachycardia
TBSA...............total body surface area V–V...............................venous-venous
TCD.......................transcranial Doppler WBC .................white blood cell count
TEE.............................transesophageal
echocardiogram
Troubleshooting ECG Problems
■ Place leads in the correct position. Incorrect placement can give false
readings.
■ Avoid placing leads over bony areas.
■ In patients with large breasts, place the electrodes under the breast.
Accurate tracings are obtained through the least amount of fat tissue.
■ Apply tincture of benzoin to the electrode sites if the patient is diaphoretic.
The electrodes will adhere to the skin better.
■ Shave hair at the electrode site if it interferes with contact between the
electrode and skin.
■ Discard old electrodes and use new ones if the gel on the back of the
electrode dries.

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