Describe best practices for patient safety and quality care for the prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) in the mechanically ventilated patient.
Nursing (Discussion Question & Reply to Two Postings)
Order Description
Respond to the assigned Discussion about (ARDS & VAP) give a complete and thorough answer
Remember to cite one reference from the
A peer reviewed journal article, Database Collection. Respond to at least two of your
colleagues’ answers and reference your responses. The grade on this discussion will be based on
your initial response to the discussion and two responses to your colleagues’ post. For each
response, cite a reference.
Discussion responses will generally be at least 200 words. All entries should use appropriate
grammar and follow general APA guidelines.
Discussions
Instructions: Respond to the assigned Discussion and give a complete and thorough answer
(Review the Discussion Question Rubric. Remember to cite one reference from the
A peer reviewed journal article, Database Collection. Respond to at least two of your
colleagues’ answers and reference your responses. The grade on this discussion will be based on
your initial response to the discussion and two responses to your colleagues’ post. For each
response, cite a reference.
Discussion responses will generally be at least 200 words. All entries should use appropriate
grammar and follow general APA guidelines.
DISCUSSION BOARD QUESTION #1
(Needs to be answered)
2. Patient Positioning
Discuss patient positioning for the patient with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome including the use of prone positioning. What is the current evidence for turning schedules in this patient population.
REPLY TO THE FOLLOWING TWO POST:
Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ answers and reference your responses. Discussion responses will generally be at least 200 words. All entries should use appropriate grammar and follow general APA guidelines.
Colleagues POST #1
The question asked:
Describe the pathophysiology of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. List 3 interventions and describe how each should improve oxygenation.
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) can be a life threatening condition if not diagnosed and corrected quickly. ARDS can be diagnosed with the criteria of: hypoxemia refractory to oxygen administration, decreased pulmonary compliance, dyspnea, pulmonary edema from non-cardiac causes, and pulmonary infiltrates noted on X-ray (Ignatavicius& Workman, 2016). Often caused by trauma, ARDS can be seen in patients with previously healthy lungs. I recently cared for a woman laboring in ARDS. Her cause was not trauma, but regardless of the etiology, the underlying mechanisms of action are the same. The main problem is the systemic inflammation that occurs in the alveoli (Ignatavicius& Workman, 2016). This inflammation along the capillary exchange allows the cell walls to become expanded and therefore more permeable to fluids and other molecules when the primary intention is permeability of oxygen molecules. Due to this, the fluid begins to penetrate the alveoli and cause protein saturated fluid to pool inside the tiny structures (Ignatavicius& Workman, 2016); thus, the decreased oxygen saturations to the lungs and other tissues. The decreased lung compliance is caused by the decreased production of surfactant from damaged pneumocytes, and the dilution of surfactant from additional fluids (Ignatavicius& Workman, 2016). Due to these changes, the alveoli become difficult to expand and can collapse further contributing to the poor gas exchange (Ignatavicius& Workman, 2016). These mechanisms result in the difficult labored breathing noted on assessment and the fluid noted upon chest X-ray. Interventions to relieve the symptoms of ARDS include intubation with CPAP to apply a positive airway pressure and prevent alveolar collapse and improve alveoli participating in gas exchange (Ignatavicius& Workman, 2016). Positioning and every 2 hour position changes are also an important intervention. This allows improved gas exchange and improved perfusion (Ignatavicius& Workman, 2016). Other interventions can include medications to fight infections and fluid restrictions (Ignatavicius& Workman, 2016). The fluid restriction was key in my ARDS patient. Until the inflammation of the membranes subsided, the fluid would continue to cross the barrier into the alveoli. By limiting fluid intake, and in this case adding Lasix, the excess fluids were slowly pulled back into the vascular beds, circulated appropriately, and ultimately excreted. This took several days before marked improvement was noted in the patient’s respiratory assessment. The rapid recognition and appropriate treatment are critical in the recovery of these patients.
Ignatavicius, D. D., & Workman, M. L. (2016). Medical surgical nursing: Patient-centered collabrative care. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Colleagues POST #2
Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ answers and reference your responses. Discussion responses will generally be at least 200 words. All entries should use appropriate grammar and follow general APA guidelines.
The question asked:
Describe best practices for patient safety and quality care for the prevention of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) in the mechanically ventilated patient.
Ventilator Associated Pneumonia is a condition characterized by a lung infection in patients who are on a ventilator breathing machine. According toIgnatavicius & Workman (2013), VAP is a type of hospital acquired pneumonia where the mortality rate increases based on the type of microorganism that is present; such are Klebsiela, and Acinetobacter. VAP infections rates are increasing with patients who are intubated. The authors continues by saying research indicates that a VAP bundle when utilized effectively by nurses has shown to decrease infection rates. The VAP bundle focuses on three areas, head of bed elevated, hand hygiene, and oral care (Ignatavicius& Workman, 2013).
Working in an Intensive Care Unit, I am very familiar with VAP bundle. Every shift we have to audit the previous nurse to make certain they have documented in the three areas plus several other areas of the VAP bundle. However it is important to note nurses must actually perform the interventions and of course document them afterwards.
Best practice for patient safety, quality care, and evidence based research also indicates that the following are effective measure to prevent or decrease VAP rates; refrain from wearing jewelry on the upper distal extremities, head of bed at least 30 degrees, disinfect mouth prior to intubation, perform proper hand hygiene, suction every two hours, full mouth care once per shift, wean trial should begin as soon as possible, always verify initial x-ray for endotracheal tube and oral/nasogastric tube before giving fluids, and use caution when moving patient especially within one hour of feeding (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2013).
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