CRITICAL CARE
CHEAT SHEET
BEAUTIFUL NURSING LLC
vital sign parameters
HR: 60-100 BPM
BP: 120-90 systolic / 80-60 diastolic
RR: 12-20 breaths/min
SpO2: >95%
Temp: 36.5-37.5℃ (97.8-99.5℉)
glasgow coma Scale
EYE
Spontaneous..............................4
On command..............................3
To pain..........................................2
Unresponsive..............................1
Oriented.......................................5
Confused.....................................4
Inappropriate............................3
Incomprehensible....................2
VERBAL 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
ABG VALUES
pH: 7.35-7.45
PaO2: 80-100 mmHg
PaCO2: 35-45 mmHg
HCO3: 21-28 mEq/L
SaO2: >95%
electrolytes
Sodium: 135-145 mEq/L
Potassium: 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Calcium: 8.5-10.5 mg/dL
Magnesium: 1.5-2.5 mEq/L
Phosphorus: 2.5-4.5 mg/dL
Hypokalemia: IV potassium (never push)
Hyperkalemia: calcium gluconate, insulin +
dextrose, sodium bicarbonate
www.BeautifulNursing.com
hemodynamic monitoring
Central Venous Pressure (CVP): 2-8 mmHg
Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP): 70-100 mmHg
Pulmonary Artery Wedge Pressure (PAWP):
6-12 mmHg
Cardiac output (CO): 4-8 L/min
Cardiac Index (CI): 2.5-4 L/min/m2
Stroke Volume (SV): 60-100 mL/beat
sepsis management
SIRS CRITERIA
TEMP:
HR:
RR:
WBC:
>38 or <36℃
>90
>20
>12 or <4K
Sepsis Bundles:
Within 1 Hour: blood cultures, broad
spectrum antibiotics, lactate, IV fluids, and
vasopressors (norepinephrine*) if needed.
ACLS / CODE BLUE
Basic Life Support (BLS):
Compressions: 100-120 per min
Depth: 2 inches
Ratio: 30 compressions
& 2 breaths
ACLS Algorithms:
VFIB/VTACH (pulseless):
defibrillate, epi 1 mg q3-5 min,
amiodarone 300 mg.
Asystole/PEA: epi 1 mg q3-5 min
reversible causes “H & T”:
H’s: Hypovolemia, hypoxia,
hydrogen ion (acidosis),
hypo/hyperkalemia, hypothermia
T’s: Toxins, tamponade, tension
pneumothorax, thrombosis
(coronary or pulmonary)
ventilator management
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
Similar to ACV with a set
Intermittenttidal volume but patients can
Mandatory
partially breathe on own.
Ventilation (SIMV)
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.
NCLEX: HIGH
Pressure Alarm
High = Block
B: Biting Tube, L: Liquid in
Tube, O: Obstruction, C:
Copious Secretion, K: Kinked
Tubing
common meds
Med
Constrict or Dilate?
BP
HR
Phenylephrine
Vasoconstrict
⬆️
⬇️
Vasopressin
Vasoconstrict
⬆️
⬇️
Epinephrine
Vasoconstrict
⬆️⬇️
⬆️
Norepinephrine
Vasoconstriction
⬆️
⬆️
Dobutamine
Mild Vasodilation &
Inotrope
⬇️
⬆️
Milirinone
Mild Vasodilation &
Inotrope
⬇️
-
Beautiful Nursing LLC
The Nursing School Antidote
Next Generation Edition
10% OFF
PROMO:
FUTURENURSE
NCLEX TIP
The Nursing School Antidote:
Next Generation Edition is
371 pages of mnemonics,
visuals, hacks, and
300+ NCLEX TIPS.
0
