Acute Stroke
Acute Stroke This chapter describes the initial evaluation and management of acute stroke, with an emphasis on the use of thrombolytic therapy, and the recommendations in the current clinical practice…
Disorders of Movement
Disorders of Movement This chapter describes three types of movement disorder: (a) involuntary movements (i.e., seizures), (b) weak or ineffective movements (i.e., neuromuscular weakness), and (c) no movements (i.e., drug-induced…
Disorders of Consciousness
Disorders of Consciousness The ability to recognize and interact with the surroundings (i.e., consciousness) is the sina qua non of the life experience, and loss of this ability is one…
Adrenal and Thyroid Dysfunction
Adrenal and Thyroid Dysfunction This chapter describes the spectrum of adrenal and thyroid disorders that occur in critically ill patients, and how to identify and manage each of these disorders….
Parenteral Nutrition
Parenteral Nutrition When full nutritional support is not possible in the alimentary canal, the intravenous route is available for nutrient delivery (1,2). This chapter describes the basic features of intravenous…
Enteral Tube Feeding
Enteral Tube Feeding When oral feeding is not possible, the preferred method of nutrition support is the infusion of liquid feeding formulas into the stomach or small bowel (enteral tube…
Nutritional Requirements
Nutritional Requirements The fundamental goal of nutritional support is to provide the daily nutrient and energy needs of each patient. This chapter will describe how to determine those needs in…
Fever in the ICU
Fever in the ICU The appearance of a new fever is always a source of concern in a hospitalized patient. This chapter presents the general considerations for a new-onset fever…
Thermoregulatory Disorders
Thermoregulatory Disorders The human thermoregulatory system limits the daily variation in body temperature to ±0.6°C (1). This chapter de-scribes what happens when this system fails, and allows the body temperature…
Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary Tract Infections Urinary tract infections (UTIs) associated with bladder drainage catheters account for 40% of all hospital-acquired infections in the United States (1), but a majority of these infections…
