Critical Care Cheat Sheet
BEAUTIFUL NURSING LLC
Ventilators
Machine that moves air
in & out of lungs.
MODE
WHAT IS IT?
Assist Control
Ventilation (ACV) or
(CMV)
Also known as Continuous Mandatory
Ventilation (CMV) that delivers a fixed
volume of O2 to patient with each
assisted breath.
Synchronized
Intermittent-Mandatory
Ventilation (SIMV)
Similar to ACV with a set tidal volume
but patients can partially breathe on
own.
Continous Positive
Airway Pressure (CPAP)
Continuous non-stop positive pressure
applied throughout respiratory cycle.
Ex: COPD
Bilevel Positive Airway
Pressure (BIPAP)
Pushes air into lungs and requires a
mandatory # of breaths.
Positive Expiratory End
Pressure (PEEP)
Positive airway pressure applied to the
ventilator at the end of each breath to
reduce alveoli collapse.
NCLEX: LOW
Pressure Alarm
Low = Leaks
Assess, reinflate cuff if needed, and
tighten loose or disconnected tubing.
High = Block
B: Biting Tube, L: Liquid in Tube, O:
Obstruction, C: Copious Secretion, K:
Kinked Tubing
NCLEX: HIGH
Pressure Alarm
Glasgow Coma Scale
EYE
Spontaneous........................4
On command........................3
To pain..................................2
Unresponsive........................1
VERBAL
Oriented.................................5
Confused...............................4
Inappropriate........................3
Incomprehensible.................2
Unresponsive.........................1
MOTOR
Obeys Commands................6
Localizes Pain.......................5
Withdraws from Pain............4
Abnormal Flexion..................3
Abnormal Extension..............2
Unresponsive.........................1
Score: 15 is the Best Score
13-14: mild, 9-12: moderate, <8: severe
Pupil Scale
3
5
4
Phenylephrine
Vasoconstrict
Vasopressin
Vasoconstrict
Epinephrine
Vasoconstrict
Norepinephrine
Vasoconstriction
Dobutamine
Mild Vasodilation &
Inotrope
Milirinone
Beautiful Nursing LLC
Mild Vasodilation &
Inotrope
BP
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⬆️⬇️
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8
9
Rhythms
Normal Sinus Rhythm
Atrial Fibrillation
Vasopressor & Inotropic Meds
Constrict or Dilate?
7
2mm
CHEST TUBES: used to reestablish
negative pressure in the pleural space.
AIR LEAK: "bubbling in water seal
chamber" then clamp chest tube.
DISLODGEMENT: cover chest tube site
with sterile dressing on three sides.
NCLEX: Strict Aseptic Technique for Setup
Med
6
Atrial Flutter
HR
⬇️
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⬆️
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⬆️
-
Ventricular Tachycardia
SHOCK
Ventricular Fibrillation
SHOCK
Asystole: no rhythm. Admin Atropine/Epi
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