Acute Kidney Injury Formerly known as acute renal failure, acute kidney injury (AKI) is a reversible rapid reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or kidney function, resulting in an increase in serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, and metabolic waste...

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Analysis The arterial blood gas (ABG) measures the acid-base balance (pH) and oxygenation of an arterial blood sample. An ABG is a tool used to assess respiratory compromise and medical conditions that cause metabolic abnormalities (such as sepsis...

Assessing Fall Risk and Reducing Falls in the Elderly More than one in four American adults 65 years of age and older have reported falling and one in five sustain a severe fall-related injury, including fractures and traumatic brain injuries (CDC, 2024). Falls are the leading cause of injury...

Assessment and Management of Stroke In the United States, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023). Early identification, evaluation and treatment of stroke reduces motor and cognitive...

Atropine Sulfate Atropine is an anticholinergic drug that blocks the action of acetylcholine at parasympathetic sites in smooth muscle, secretory glands, and the central nervous system (CNS). It increases cardiac output and dries secretions. It is a competitive...

Blood Products and Transfusion It is critical for nurses to know and understand the principles of blood transfusion to prevent life-threatening transfusion reactions from occurring. This pocket card reviews the different types of blood products as well as nursing tips for...

Blood Type Compatibility and Transfusion Reactions This pocket card reviews blood type compatibility, the different types of transfusion reactions that can occur, signs and symptoms, and treatment strategies.Blood Type Compatibility (American Red Cross, n.d.) Blood types are determined by...

Caring for the Mechanically Ventilated Patient Mechanical ventilation is utilized in intensive care and long-term care settings to assist patients who require additional respiratory support. This handy reference guide provides critical patient care essentials, tips for trouble-shooting...

Complications of Central Vascular Access Devices Central vascular access devices, or central venous access devices (CVADs), are fundamental in the nursing care of the critically ill, those with chronic conditions (cancer, renal failure), and emergency care. CVADs include central venous catheters...

Differentiating Delirium, Dementia, and Depression Elderly patients are at high risk of mood and cognitive impairments such as depression, delirium and dementia. Delirium is an acute, transient and reversible cause of brain dysfunction, usually triggered by one or more precipitating factors...

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC) Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a serious condition in which coagulation and fibrinolysis are unusually triggered, resulting in continuous clotting, bleeding and/or thrombosis (Leung, 2023). DIC, also known as consumption...

Enteral Nutrition in the Hospital Hospitalized patients who are not able to eat for extended periods of time require an alternative source of nutrition that can be provided in both enteral (intestinal) and parenteral (non-intestinal) liquid forms. This pocket card provides an...