Page 40 - Critical Care Notes

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BASICS

Other Hospital-Acquired Infections of Concern
in the ICU:
■ Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)
■ Central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI)
■ Hospital-acquired pneumonia (non-VAP)
■ Surgical site infections (SSI)
■ Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (refer to Respiratory tab)

Psychosocial Issues in Critical Care
Environmental, Sensory Overload, and Sleep Deprivation
■ Sensory Overload: A condition in which sensory stimuli are received at a
rate and intensity beyond the level that the patient can accommodate.
■ Sensory Deprivation: A condition in which the patient experiences a lack of
variety and/or intensity of sensory stimuli.
Types of Sensory Stimuli
■ Visual
■ Auditory
■ Kinesthetic
■ Gustatory
■ Tactile
■ Olfactory
Signs and Symptoms of Sensory Problems
■ Confusion
■ Hallucinations
■ Lethargy
■ Behavioral changes (combativeness)
■ Increased startle response
■ Disorientation
■ Anxiety
■ Restlessness
■ Panic
■ Withdrawal
■ Mood swings
Some of these same symptoms may be caused by select medications, espe-
cially in elderly patients. Refer to the Updated 2012 Beers Criteria for Potentially
Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults from the American Geriatrics
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