After Attending This Activity Learners Should Be Able To:

1. Demonstrate a consistent and systemic approach to assessment of critically ill patients, including:
   1. Identification of the assessment priorities for different types of assessments: Pre-arrival assessment, admission assessment, doorway assessment and focused assessment.
   2. Discuss appropriate level of prioritization in response to findings, including identification of findings that require immediate action.
   3. Best practice approaches for neuro assessments and how to assess for specific conditions such as delirium (in verbal or non-verbal patients) or stroke.
   4. Explain the primary and secondary survey in trauma patients utilizing TNCC Guidelines
2. Discuss the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, patient needs, common complications, and management principles for the following diagnoses:
   1. Cardiomyopathy
   2. Heart failure
   3. Hypertensive crisis
   4. Shock (hypovolemic, cardiogenic, distributive, and obstructive)
   5. STEMI
3. Summarize assessments, diagnostic studies, management priorities, and treatment plan for a patient with the following conditions:
   1. Critically ill pregnant or postpartum patient
      1. Prolapsed cord
      2. Postpartum hemorrhage
      3. Pre-eclampsia
      4. Miscarriage
      5. Placenta previa
      6. Abruptio placenta
   2. Hematologic emergencies in critical care
   3. Ischemic stroke or hemorrhagic stroke
   4. Resuscitation of a trauma patient
4. Review important considerations for patients with the following conditions:
   1. Patient complaining of abdominal pain
   2. Patent experiencing common oncologic emergencies
   3. Patient presenting with abnormal electrolytes
   4. Patient requiring hemodialysis in critical care oncologic emergencies seen in critical care
   5. Patient who is a potential donor, including process to contact Donor Network
   6. Patient with upper vs. lower GI bleed
5. Interpret blood gas results for acid-base and oxygenation abnormalities.
6. Demonstrate how to manage the PA line and the interpretation for waveforms for central venous pressure, right atrial pressure, right ventricular pressure, pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure.
7. Explain the use of medications used to improve cardiac output and increase/decrease afterload and preload.
8. Describe best practices in the nursing care and management of a mechanically ventilated patient as well as engage in discussion about your role as a change agent to improve these practices.
9. Formulate an interprofessional care plan for a patient at risk for delirium while considering both physiological and psychological needs of the patient as well as any interdependent needs of the family.
10. Discuss importance of ongoing self-directed learning and the professional development benefits of membership with the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) including what is needed to take the CCRN exam.