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  • Essay / Therapeutic induced hypothermia - 1233

    During the clinic this week, the nursing student had the opportunity to have an observation experience in a specialized care unit. The student was directed to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) to observe a patient who was critically ill and receiving extensive treatment. The student observed a nurse caring for a patient while administering therapeutic hypothermia after a cardiac arrest. Patient LE is a 73-year-old man. The patient has no history of coronary artery disease or heart problems. Yet he suffered ventricular fibrillation for which he was shocked, followed by a massive heart attack while unaccompanied in a restaurant. Upon arrival at Southcoast Hospital, he experienced ventricular tachycardia in the emergency room and was electrocuted a second time. According to the Southcoast Critical Care Manual, these events are part of the inclusion criteria for therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest. It meets the first inclusion criteria listed which are: cardiac arrest with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) with initial rhythm of ventricular fibrillation, pulseless ventricular tachycardia, pulseless electrical activity or asystole. The protocol was provided at the end of the article. The Arctic Sun is an experimental study but has various supporting data. When someone like LE experiences a heart attack, one of the body's responses is an increase in body temperature. An increase in body temperature contributes to ischemic brain damage after cardiac arrest. The Arctic Sun is a system that allows targeted temperature management in patients suffering from neurological disorders. Pads are placed on approximately 40% of the body and a temperature probe is inserted. LE had two temperatures...... middle of paper ...... and many nurses have not yet had experience implementing it. This is a complex and demanding field, and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach is essential. The nurse must rely on his or her own judgment while valuing and recognizing the expertise of other team members. The article sums up the article perfectly: “A life saved through successful implementation of therapy “Therapeutic Induced Hypothermia” is an example of science translated into practice through commitment, collaboration and achievements of the multidisciplinary team. ., Willoughby, L. and Loree, K. (2008). Therapeutic induced hypothermia: when every minute counts -- a multidisciplinary team approach. Dynamics, 19(2), 43. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.http://www.medivance.com/html/contributions_tempManagement.htm