by lpn2crna1day

I am a new hire on a CV-ICU unit. Almost two weeks into the orientation and my head is just spinning. Coming from long LTC so this is a entirely different world to me. I have been told some pretty common drugs and I have seen many of the lines but where I am totally lost right now is on surgical procedures. Having a hard time finding one site or any for that matter any sites that explain cardiac surgery in depth from medical stand point vs trying to prepare the patient pre-op. Things like CABG's, LIMA's valve ring replacements, heart transplants post-op care....etc. These are just a few of the pts. that I have worked with so far and I think that brushing up on the actual procedures will help with the overall picture. Actually I think that anything...tips, study guides, books WHATEVER anyone can suggest will be a great help! Thanks so much!!

Re: Most Common CV-ICU Surgical Procedures

If you look on the sticky section at the top of CCU there is several threads that offer some great resources. I've bought several of them. and icufaqs.org is awesome as far as websites go.
I'm three months in and my head is still spinning, it just takes time.....A lot of time.

Re: Most Common CV-ICU Surgical Procedures

The Bojar manual
http://www.amazon.ca/Manual-Perioper.../dp/1405104392

is a good reference. It's not a complete ground level review but it gives a description of the major operations and perioperative care.

Re: Most Common CV-ICU Surgical Procedures

Go find a GOOD, first-year med school physiology text book and start there. KNOW your normal physiology - can't learn abnormal until you know normal.

My personal favorite is Rhoades and Bell's Medical Physiology. You can google it and "peek" inside at a few pages. I got mine off Amazon for 50 bucks off list price because I bought it "used"...that thing was brand-spanking new, and this isn't an uncommon occurance on Amazon to be able to buy new as used, much cheaper.

Good luck.

Re: Most Common CV-ICU Surgical Procedures

Also CTSnet.org has a lot of info about procedures (you can even watch videos). There's a book called "Cardiothoracic surgical nursing" by Betsy Finkelmeier. Hard to find, but awesome for nursing considerations about CT surgeries. Your hospital library may well have it.

Re: Most Common CV-ICU Surgical Procedures

Thanks to all for replies! I know it is going to take some time before I remember to breathe and take care of pts. at the same time....lol. I will look into these sites and books too, I am sure they will help.

Re: Most Common CV-ICU Surgical Procedures

Originally Posted by lpn2crna1day

I have been told some pretty common drugs and I have seen many of the lines but where I am totally lost right now is on surgical procedures. Having a hard time finding one site or any for that matter any sites that explain cardiac surgery in depth from medical stand point vs trying to prepare the patient pre-op. Things like CABG's, LIMA's valve ring replacements, heart transplants post-op care....etc. These are just a few of the pts. that I have worked with so far and I think that brushing up on the actual procedures will help with the overall picture. Actually I think that anything...tips, study guides, books WHATEVER anyone can suggest will be a great help! Thanks so much!!

You may also want to take a look at Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery by Jane C. Rothrock. It includes information on the operative procedures, instruments and equipments used, and nursing considerations.

Re: Most Common CV-ICU Surgical Procedures

Robert Bojar's "Perioperative Care in Cardiac Surgery" should be given to every new person that comes into CVICU in my opinion. I had a CV Surgeon give it to me years ago and Ive convinced about 25 people in my unit to buy it, as well as the hospital to buy it for new employees/new grads. Its the best book Ive read. During orientation I try to get my orientees to udersand three basic receptors....Alpha-1, Beta-1 and Beta-2. Instead of memorizing up and down arrows in a book or note cards, it helps them learn it easier. If you can understand that a Beta-2 receptor causes peripheral and bronchodialation and that Alpha adrenergic drugs cause arterial constriction, and that Beta-- causes and increase in HR and contractility, you can figure out that Dobutrex, Epi, Dopamine, Neo, ect...........do X, Y, and Z because of the receptors they stimulate. Also, go to PACEP.org and register (its free). Do all the programs for Swans. You can train a monkey to learn paperwork, how to shoot numbers, how to titrate drips and such, however to understand the science is something that a majority of the people you work with dont understand, Im willing to be. Good luck.

Re: Most Common CV-ICU Surgical Procedures

Hey Joey - thanks for the recommendation. I'm sending it on to some of my SRNA classmates. It sounds like something we can use.