Understanding the Intensive Care Unit: Decoding the Professional Nursing Process

When it comes to the intensive care unit, everyone will think of "life hanging by a thread" and "a narrow escape from death". As the department of the hospital that treats critically ill patients, the intensive care unit always gives people the impression of "cold", "fearful", "heavy" and "high consumption". Due to the closed and independent characteristics of the intensive care unit, many people do not know much about this department. Family members are not allowed to accompany them in the intensive care unit, so we often see the relatives of patients silently guarding outside the door of the intensive care unit, for fear of missing any news about the patient, and even "sleeping on the floor" at the door, worrying about the patient's condition and fearing that the patient cannot get comprehensive care. So today, I will take you into the intensive care unit, decipher the professional nursing process, and feel the "warmth" in the intensive care unit.

What is an intensive care unit ?

Intensive Care Unit: The full English name is Intensive Care Unit, also known as ICU, which is a special department in the hospital dedicated to the treatment of critically ill patients. It is usually considered to be the "last line of defense of life". The intensive care unit is equipped with high-end medical equipment and a professional medical team. It aims to provide comprehensive medical support for patients with serious illnesses, injuries or after surgery who need close monitoring and care.

What's in the intensive care unit?

The ICU is a highly advanced environment equipped with a range of medical equipment and monitoring tools, such as monitoring instruments, respiratory support equipment, ECG monitoring equipment, and infection control facilities. These devices are used to monitor and maintain patients' vital signs, such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and blood oxygen levels, as well as medical gas systems, medical waste treatment systems, and protective measures and equipment, such as isolation wards and personal protective equipment.

In addition to the above facilities, the intensive care unit is also equipped with professional medical staff to provide patients with comprehensive medical and nursing support.

Then let us understand the professional nursing process of the intensive care unit :

1. Patient Assessment and Monitoring

In the intensive care unit, the assessment and monitoring of patients is very important. Nurses will regularly monitor and record the patient's vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood oxygen saturation. In addition, nurses will conduct condition assessments and obtain medical histories to ensure a comprehensive understanding and accurate judgment of the patient.

2. Respiratory care

Many critically ill patients need the support of a ventilator. Nurses should be proficient in the use and management skills of the ventilator, including adjusting the ventilator parameters, monitoring the working status of the ventilator, and regularly cleaning the ventilator. In addition, nurses also need to cooperate with doctors in tracheal intubation and airway management to ensure that the patient's breathing is unobstructed.

3. Maintenance of the cycle

Circulatory care is an important part of the intensive care unit. Nurses need to monitor electrocardiograms, cardiac support devices such as pacemakers and temporary pacemakers, and regularly perform intravenous catheterization and infusion. They also closely monitor the patient's blood pressure changes and circulatory status and take necessary measures in a timely manner.

4. Pain Management and Sedation

Critically ill patients often experience pain and discomfort. Nurses need to assess the patient's pain level and manage and relieve the pain appropriately. In some cases, the patient may become extremely anxious, restless or agitated. At this time, nurses may need to perform sedation management to ensure the patient's safety and comfort.

5. Assessment of consciousness and neurological monitoring

Nurses will closely observe the patient's neurological status and level of consciousness, assess the patient's neurological function and changes in consciousness; use neurological monitoring equipment (such as an electroencephalograph) to monitor the patient's brain electrical activity and detect abnormalities in a timely manner.

6. Nutritional support and fluid management

Nurses will pay close attention to the patient's nutritional status and provide appropriate nutritional support, including oral, tube feeding and intravenous nutrition. They will also monitor the patient's fluid balance and perform fluid management, including monitoring fluid input and output, adjusting infusion rates and drug infusions.

7. Infection Control

In the intensive care unit, infection prevention and control are of vital importance. Nurses will strictly follow infection control standards, including hand hygiene, wearing personal protective equipment, and correct use of antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.

Most of the patients in the intensive care unit are unable to take care of themselves. In addition to the above-mentioned nursing work, nurses also need to take care of the patients' daily life, including wiping the body, combing hair, turning over and patting the back, suctioning sputum, feeding water and food. It is one of the most difficult departments in the hospital.

The nursing process in the intensive care unit involves multiple fields, requiring nurses to have rich professional knowledge and skills, and to provide the best medical support for patients through scientific and meticulous nursing processes under highly professional equipment. The medical staff in the intensive care unit are working hard every day to do their jobs well and protect the life and health of patients to the greatest extent. Of course, the understanding and support of patients and their relatives are indispensable in this process. Only through efforts from all sides can the patient's road to recovery be more "smooth". (Zhao Ran, Lingshou County People's Hospital, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province)