The World of Critical Care
Activity Overview
Episode publication activity over the past year
Episodes
Arterial Lines
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode covers the basics of correctly setting up arterial lines, interpreting waveforms, troubleshooting, and removal.
Electrolytes: Magnesium
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode covers the critical physiological functioning of magnesium. The episode covers lab values, hypomagnesemia and Hypermagnesemia. ...
Electrolytes: Hyperkalemia
04 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode covers the basics of managing hyperkalemia in the ICU. For further reading: https://emcrit.org/ibcc/hyperkalemia/
Electrolytes: Hypokalemia in the CVICU/CICU
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Specific considerations of hypokalemia in the CVICU/CICU.
Electrolytes: Hypokalemia
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode covers the basics of hypokalemia. The episode discusses the three primary causes of hypokalemia, the clinical manifestations, an...
Electrolytes: potassium introduction
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode covers the basics of potassium as an electrolyte in critical care.
Spontaneous breathing trial (SBT)
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Nurse lead spontaneous breathing trials is a common aspect of recovering hearts in the CVICU. But SBT's are common in a wide variety of ICU settings. ...
Electrolytes: hypernatremia
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hypernatremia occurs in up to one fourth of ICU patients. The following episode covers the basics of understanding the critical factors in hypernatrem...
SvO2 (mixed venous oxygen saturation)
27 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most common lab values I have questions about from new nurses is the SvO2 and how it is used as an approximation for cardiac output. As a f...
Post-operative ”Hearts” in the CVICU/ICU
15 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Caring for post operative CVOR patients can be one of the most rewarding and challenging shifts for a CVICU/ICU nurse. The following episode covers th...
Electrolytes: hyponatremia
28 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode covers the basics of hyponatremia. This episode is a bit longer than most but the prevalence of hyponatremia in critical care wa...
Electrolytes: sodium’s role in cardiac muscle cells
19 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode covers the action potential in cardiac muscle cells with specific attention on the role of sodium. For further learning:...
Electrolytes: sodium’s role in the action potential
09 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode covers the action potential in a neuron. Specific attention is paid to the critical role of electrochemical gradients and concen...
Electrolytes: sodium regulation via the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone systems
08 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode provides part one of sodium physiology examining how the body regulates sodium levels via the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone syst...
Electrolytes: sodium overview
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode introduces the electrolyte sodium. Lab collection, general overview of physiological processes, and defining critical terms. The...
Anti-platelet therapy basics
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode covers the basics of anti-platelet therapy.
Massive transfusion protocol (MTP) basics
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Massive transfusion can be a highly stressful event in the ICU. The following episode covers the basics of carrying out massive transfusion protocol. ...
Eliquis (apixaban)
11 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers the basics of the oral anticoagulant Eliquis. The episode covers the indications, mechanism of action, common dosing, reversal, an...
Warfarin
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers the history, mechanism of action, lab monitoring, indications, reversal and special considerations for Warfarin or otherwise known...
Direct thrombin inhibitors
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode covers the basics of direct thrombin inhibitors. Specific attention is given to Argatroban and Bivalirudin. The episode covers m...
aPTT vs Xa
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episodes provides clarity on the use of aPTT vs Xa lab vales for determining levels of heparin activity.
Heparin
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode begins the discussion of anticoagulation. The discussion includes the mechanism of action, routes of administration, dosing, ini...
Coagulation part two
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode specifically focuses on the role of platelets in coagulation. This episode builds upon the previous episode, which focused on th...
Clotting Cascade
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode provides a general overview of the clotting cascade. Focus is given to understanding terms such as clotting factors, zymogens, e...
Platelets
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode covers the basics of platelet administration in critical care. The episode focuses on the general function, measurement, and adm...
Cryoprecipitate (Cryo)
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode covers the basics of cryoprecipitate (Cryo) use in critical care. The episode covers the formation of cryo, administration basic...
Fresh frozen plasma (FFP)
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episodes covers the basics of FFP administration in critical care.
Get the most out of your preceptor in the ICU
10 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Packed red blood cells
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
PRBC's or packed red blood cells are one of the most common blood products administered in critical care. The following episode covers the importance ...
Ringer’s Lactate
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ringer's Lactate, lactated ringers, LR, Hartmann's solution are all terms used to describe this incredibly versatile crystalloid. The episode covers s...
Crystalloids
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The following episode considers the role crystalloids play in critical care. The episode considers how the mechanism of action differers from that of ...
Success in the ICU starts here (updated audio)
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amidst the continual busyness of the ICU we often forget the power of taking time to pause with our patients and their families, to understand where w...
Colloids
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Colloids are often misunderstood and take a backseat to crystalloids. The following episode dives into their mechanism of action and the critical role...
Success in the ICU starts here
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Amidst the continual busyness of the ICU we often forget the power of taking time to pause with our patients and their families, to understand where w...
New in the ICU (weeks 9-12)
10 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The last month of training in the ICU present a unique blend of excitement and trepidation. This episode covers your last few weeks of training in the...
New in the ICU (weeks 3-8)
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After the initial two weeks in the ICU now the fun begins. Weeks 3-8 lay the critical foundations of ICU patient care. Often these weeks are the most ...
Navigating your first two weeks in the ICU
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode covers your first two weeks in the ICU out of nursing school. Often these first two weeks are daunting, both for new nurses of those trai...
Should I work in the ICU right out of nursing school?
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Should you go right into the ICU out of nursing school? This is a question I get asked frequently as a professional preceptor in the ICU. Take a liste...