Albumin administration is complicated because of its different concentrations and indications. By the end of this unit, you will be equipped to answer a common clinical dilemma: which concentration to use and how fast to give it. What is Albumin & How it Works We have 34-54 grams of albumin per liter of blood inContinue reading “Albumin: What Concentration to Use and How to Administer”
Category Archives: Critical Care
CRRT: What You Need to Know for Patient Care
Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is a lifesaving procedure that requires a high level of skill, well established procedures and a multidisciplinary approach for safe execution. Here are 6 things you need to know if you provide care to patients receiving CRRT. What is CRRT? CRRT is a continuous form of dialysis indicated for patientsContinue reading “CRRT: What You Need to Know for Patient Care”
4 Proven Strategies to Avoid Mistakes with Pediatric Patients
Let me save you the heart ache of a medical error in a neonate or pediatric patient. Understanding how to prevent common pediatric medication errors is crucial in safeguarding our youngest patients. This isn’t a discussion of how to determine appropriate dosing in infants and pediatric patients. We have many reliable and established resources likeContinue reading “4 Proven Strategies to Avoid Mistakes with Pediatric Patients”
How to Dose Vancomycin: When Protocols Fail
Standard vancomycin dosing will not work for every patient. Let me walk you through 3 often overlooked patient characteristics that suggests the need for closer scrutiny and off-protocol dosing. This isn’t a post about how to perform detailed vancomycin calculations. It’s about learning how anticipate and be responsive to the body mechanics of patients toContinue reading “How to Dose Vancomycin: When Protocols Fail”
Acute Coronary Syndrome: What You Need to Know
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an umbrella term used to describe any condition that causes a sudden decrease in blood supply to heart muscles. The heart supplies oxygen and nutrients to all tissues in the body including itself. The heart is wrapped in tiny blood vessels called coronary arteries that supply the heart with oxygenContinue reading “Acute Coronary Syndrome: What You Need to Know”
Acute Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Overview of Pathophysiology
The main function of the heart is to pump oxygenated blood from the heart, throughout the body, and return oxygen depleted blood to the lungs. This cycle takes only 13 seconds and is interrupted in acute heart failure. The contraction of heart muscles, the resistance of blood vessels and valves all maintain the pressure andContinue reading “Acute Heart Failure: A Comprehensive Overview of Pathophysiology”
How to Assess Renal Function: 3 Blood Markers & Calculations
Normal renal function supports all organs in maintaining homeostasis. The kidneys are responsible for many critical processes in the body. Filtration: the kidneys remove waste products like urea and creatinine which accumulate as a byproduct of normal metabolic processes. Fluid Balance: The kidneys regulate how much water is eliminated and reabsorbed. Which in turn contributesContinue reading “How to Assess Renal Function: 3 Blood Markers & Calculations”
Renal Injury: What You Need to Know
Normal Renal Function The kidneys has many roles including filtration of blood to remove waste. Within the kidneys waste is filtered at the glomerulus. Waste exists the kidneys via the tubules as urine. Filtered blood is returned to the body. Categories of Renal Injury There are three broad categories of renal injury based on whereContinue reading “Renal Injury: What You Need to Know”
MUDPILES: The One Shared Trait that Leads to Acidosis
MUDPILES is a long-standing acronym that is used to quickly recall the likely causes of high anion gap metabolic acidosis but it usually stops right there. How do the components cause acidosis? Why is it important to know the how? Understanding vs Memorizing As our patients increasingly present with more complex comorbidities the straight pathwayContinue reading “MUDPILES: The One Shared Trait that Leads to Acidosis”
Anion Gap & Neutrality: Filling in the Knowledge Gap
The anion gap is a calculation that measures the balance of select negative and positive charges (anion and cations respectively) in plasma. Anion gap is critical for the assessment of acid -base disorders which is an umbrella diagnosis that has many causes including renal failure, toxicities, sepsis and diabetic ketoacidosis. Though the name suggests thereContinue reading “Anion Gap & Neutrality: Filling in the Knowledge Gap”