Critical Care Neuropathy

Specialties Neuro

Published

I need to develop a plan of care for a patient, and one of their diagnoses is Critical Care Neuropathy. I know what sensory, diabetic, and autonomic neuropathy are, but not this kind. Are they similar? There is no information in my books on this disorder, and I couldn't find anything online.

Can someone please help me out and let me know where I can find more information on this disorder?

Thank you!

Specializes in Neuro Critical Care.

Okay, you intrigued me enough to get all my books out. I couldn't find any description for a "critical care neuropathy" however some of the medications given may cause a neuropathy....dilantin, barbituates. There is malnutrition neuropathy but that is usually associated with an alcohol-related illness. I'm sorry I can't help you more. Are you sure it was written correctly? Was it supposed to be a "Critical care psychosis"?

Specializes in ICU.

We are using that diagnosis to describe the, in some cases, profound weakness we are seeing in some long term ventilated patients. It is caused by a combination of sedation, severe illness/sepsis and in some cases nutritional deficit as well as renal compromise.

I found some GOOD links :D

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/icd9/icd501a.pdf

http://www.aic.cuhk.edu.hk/web8/critical_illness_neuropathy.htm

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7605192&dopt=Abstract

http://www.co-criticalcare.com/pt/re/cocritcare/abstract.00075198-200504000-00006.htm;jsessionid=CT3rPxC1QzlA9lKagKstMlUjDZosWNk2uaqaQB29iIBnLaN27v7M!-1826700870!-949856032!9001!-1

WOW Thank you SO MUCH! Those were indeed excellent sites, and now my patient's apparently random peripheral weakness and intolerance of vent weaning are explained! Before I just had a bunch of nursing diagnoses... now I have a medical diagnosis to connect them with! Thank you!!

Specializes in Neuro Critical Care.

good job gwenith, thanks!

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