Critical Care Nurses

Core Tasks

1. Evaluate patients' vital signs or laboratory data to determine emergency intervention needs.
2. Monitor patients for changes in status and indications of conditions such as sepsis or shock and institute appropriate interventions.
3. Administer medications intravenously, by injection, orally, through gastric tubes, or by other methods.
4. Monitor patients' fluid intake and output to detect emerging problems, such as fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
5. Prioritize nursing care for assigned critically ill patients, based on assessment data or identified needs.
6. Compile and analyze data obtained from monitoring or diagnostic tests.
7. Conduct pulmonary assessments to identify abnormal respiratory patterns or breathing sounds that indicate problems.
8. Assess patients' pain levels or sedation requirements.
9. Collaborate with other health care professionals to develop and revise treatment plans, based on identified needs and assessment data.
10. Document patients' medical histories and assessment findings.
11. Collect specimens for laboratory tests.
12. Set up and monitor medical equipment and devices such as cardiac monitors, mechanical ventilators and alarms, oxygen delivery devices, transducers, or pressure lines.
13. Administer blood and blood products, monitoring patients for signs and symptoms related to transfusion reactions.
14. Advocate for patients' and families' needs, or provide emotional support for patients and their families.
15. Assess family adaptation levels and coping skills to determine whether intervention is needed.
16. Perform approved therapeutic or diagnostic procedures, based upon patients' clinical status.
17. Assist physicians with procedures such as bronchoscopy, endoscopy, endotracheal intubation, or elective cardioversion.
18. Supervise and monitor unit nursing staff.
19. Identify malfunctioning equipment or devices.
20. Document patients' treatment plans, interventions, outcomes, or plan revisions.
21. Identify patients at risk of complications due to nutritional status.
22. Assess patients' psychosocial status and needs, including areas such as sleep patterns, anxiety, grief, anger, and support systems.
23. Identify patients' age-specific needs and alter care plans as necessary to meet those needs.
24. Participate in professional organizations and continuing education to improve practice knowledge and skills.
25. Participate in the development, review, or evaluation of nursing practice protocols.
26. Coordinate patient care conferences.
27. Provide post-mortem care.
28. Plan, provide, or evaluate educational programs for nursing staff, interdisciplinary health care team members, or community members.
29. Ensure that equipment or devices are properly stored after use.

Technology & Tools

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