ABSTRACT

All hospitals have critically ill patients, and their management depends upon the resources available. In many low income countries, critically ill patients may be admitted to a critical care unit; however, many are nursed on wards due to a lack of critical care beds or simply die before they reach the hospital.

This book provides guidance on the unique situations for nurses working in these challenging environments, while considering ethical decision-making, providing appropriate services, and the types of patients admitted. Topics covered include:

  • working in a resource limited environment;
  • cultural awareness and international agendas;
  • provision and access to healthcare services;
  • ethical considerations in the context of resource limited environments;
  • best practice and knowledge regarding rehabilitation, pain management, managing a major incident;
  • relevant research concerning resource limited environments.

Critical Care Nursing in Resource Limited Environments prepares readers to consider how best to utilise their skills and deliver safe patient care within a resource limited context. Each easy-to-read chapter provides core knowledge and relevant research, as well as useful ideas and solutions, with further reading sections to signpost readers to key international resources. This text provides practical ideas for nurses working in critical care and defence nursing, and acute areas in resource limited environments. It can also be used to support educational courses and pre-deployment training for nurses hoping to work in Global Health.

chapter 1|2 pages

Introduction

chapter 3|5 pages

Surgical care

chapter 4|8 pages

Choosing to work internationally

chapter 5|10 pages

Project management

chapter 7|6 pages

Military critical care

chapter 10|11 pages

Assessment of the critically ill patient

chapter 12|12 pages

In-hospital resuscitation

chapter 13|20 pages

Airway management

chapter 14|11 pages

Oxygen and mechanical ventilation

chapter 15|12 pages

Cardiac monitoring and arrhythmias

chapter 16|7 pages

Acute kidney injury

chapter 17|6 pages

Sepsis

chapter 18|11 pages

Vascular access

chapter 19|7 pages

Pain management and sedation

chapter 21|5 pages

Critical care transfer

chapter 23|4 pages

Tuberculosis

chapter 24|6 pages

Tetanus

chapter 25|10 pages

Viral haemorrhagic fevers

chapter 26|5 pages

Cholera and typhoid

chapter 27|7 pages

Influenza

chapter 28|8 pages

Malaria

chapter 29|9 pages

Sickle cell disease

chapter 30|7 pages

Poisoning

chapter 31|9 pages

Diabetes mellitus

chapter 32|6 pages

Hypertension and acute stroke

chapter 33|14 pages

Snake and scorpion bites

chapter 34|12 pages

Trauma care

chapter 35|5 pages

Burns care

chapter 36|9 pages

Principles of post-operative care

chapter 37|10 pages

Wound care

chapter 38|15 pages

Paediatrics

chapter 39|12 pages

Women’s and maternal emergencies