Credits Hours: 7.00

Course Description:
Lesson I: discusses the stages and types of shock. Stages of shock include the initial, compensatory, progressive and refractory stages. Types of shock include hypovolemic, cardiogenic, anaphylactic and neurogenic shock. Lesson II: defines and describes the pathophysiology and clinical presentation of SIRS, sepsis and MODS. Discusses the inter-related nature of these disorders and most effective methods for managing a patient experiencing any of these disorders. Lesson III: discusses the needs of two special patient populations often seen in the adult critical care unit; the pediatric and geriatric populations. Outlines the developmental levels, most common disorders seen in, and modifications in nursing care for, the pediatric patient population. Describes normal physiologic changes seen with aging and discusses methods for evaluating the geriatric patient. Lesson IV: discusses sedation with content adapted from Sedation and Analgesia: Priniciples, Drug Management, and Assessment used with permission from Abbott Laboratories. Presents strategies for pain management through the use of analgesia.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Describe the basic pathophysiology of each stage of shock.
• Compare and contrast the common causes, clinical presentation and treatment strategies for hypovolemic, anaphylactic, neurogenic and cardiogenic shock.
• Explain the clinical significance of systemic inflammatory response syndrome, or SIRS.
• Describe the etiology and clinical presentation of sepsis.
• Explain the rationale for treatment modalities used for management of SIRS and sepsis.
• Describe the role of inflammatory mediators in the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, or MODS.
• Identify organ specific manifestations of MODS.
• Identify medical management strategies for patients with MODS.
• Describe nursing management of the patient with SIRS, sepsis, or MODS.
• Discuss age specific considerations for the care of the pediatric patient admitted to an adult critical care unit.
• Identify common disorders that may result in pediatric admission to an adult critical care unit and unique nursing care issues related to each.
• Describe physiologic changes that are a result of the aging process.
• Discuss age-specific considerations for care of the geriatric patient.
• Explain the physiologic consequences of pain and anxiety.
• Identify indications for the use of sedation in the critical care unit.
• Identify common pharmacologic agents used for sedation in the critical care unit, including advantages and disadvantages of each.
• Discuss reasons why many critically ill patients are not adequately medicated for pain.
• Identify at least four options to control pain. Include the merits and limitations associated with each option.