The 2nd edition of Critical Care Skills builds on its solid reputation as a superior clinical handbook and bedside reference that presents techniques based on the realities of clinical practice. This manual is comprised of varying technical skills and methods detailing procedures in the following areas: pulmonary care, cardiovascular, intravenous therapy, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, wound management, special procedures, and specimen collection. Its small size and spiral binding offer easy access and transport for practicing nurses, educators, and students alike.

• Pearls are technical tips for the user to apply to each procedure from an advanced, experienced point of view.
• Note call-outs provide a wide array of information relative to each procedure and its value, purpose, and equipment used.
• Caution call-outs alert the user to sensitive issues and possible adverse effects of a procedure.
• The Cardiovascular section of the book contains 60 illustrations of waveforms and ECGs.
• Each of the eight sections of the book contain multiple detailed illustrations of equipment and step-by-step procedures

Part I: Pulmonary
1: Chest Tubes
2: Endotracheal Tube
3: Mechanical Ventilation
4: Neuromuscular Blockade in the Ventilated Patient
5: Noninvasive Ventilation *
6: Oropharyngeal Airway
7: Oxygen Delivery Devices
8: Peripheral Nerve Stimulator
9: Pulse Oximetry
10: Tracheostomy Care
Part II: Cardiovascular
11: Arterial Pressure Monitoring
12: Cardiac Monitoring
13: Cardiac Output (Bolus Thermodilution Method)
14: Central Venous Catheter
15: Defibrillation and Synchronized Cardioversion
16: Doppler
17: Intra-aortic Balloon Counterpulsation
18: Fluid Filled Monitoring Systems
19: Pulmonary Artery Pressure Monitoring
20: Continuous Cardiac Output and Svo2 Monitoring
21: ST Segment Monitoring *
22: Temporary Epicardial Pacing
23: Temporary Transvenous Pacing
24: Transcutaneous Pacing
Part III: Intravenous Therapy
25: Administration of Blood and Blood Components
26: Administration of Albumin/Plasma Protein Fraction
27: Dosage Calculation of Intravenous Drug Infusions
28: Nursing Management of Intravenous Catheters
29: Intravenous Push Medication Administration
30: Administration of Parenteral Nutrition
Part IV: Gastrointestinal
31: Enteral Nutrition
32: Nasogastric Tube
33: Small-Bore Feeding Tube
Part V: Musculoskeletal
34: Cervical Immobilization
35: Skeletal Traction
Part VI: Wound Management
36: Burn Wound Management
37: Escharotomy/Fasciotomy
38: Wound Drainage Systems
Part VII: Special Procedures
39: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
40: Epidural Analgesia
41: Intra-abdominal Pressure Monitoring *
42: Intracerebral Oxygen Saturation Monitoring *
43: Intracranial Pressure Monitoring
Part VIII: Specimen Collection
44: Culture Specimen Collection
45: Obtaining an Arterial Blood Gas Specimen: Radial Artery and Dorsalis Pedis Artery Puncture
46: Obtaining Blood for Type and Crossmatch
Appendix A Laboratory Values
Appendix B Clinical Calculations
Appendix C Electrolyte Administration Chart *

* indicates new to this edition.

By Barbara Clark Mims, RN, MSN, CCRN, Coordinator, Critical Care & Trauma Nurse Internship, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX; Director, Barbara Clark Mims Associates, Lewisville, TX; Kathleen H. Toto, RN, MSN, ACNP, Coordinator, Critical Care & Trauma Nurse Internship, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX; Laura E. Luecke, RN, BSN, CCRN, Instructor, Critical Care & Trauma Nurse Internship, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX; Mary K. Roberts, RN, MSN, ACNP, Instructor, Critical Care & Trauma Nurse Internship, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX; Jackie Brock Wilmouth, RN, MSN, CCRN, Instructor, Critical Care and Trauma Nurse Internship, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX; and Tracy E. Tyner, RN, BSN, CEN, CCRN, Instructor, Critical Care and Trauma Nurse Internship, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas, TX