title: Managing trauma patients with abdominal compartment syndrome.
abstract: ACS is due to a rapid increase in intra-abdominal pressure. Although ACS may occur in both surgical and nonsurgical patients, patients who have abdominal or pelvic trauma and/or require massive fluid replacement are at increased risk. Critical care nurses are in a unique position to recognize early signs and symptoms of increased intra-abdominal pressure to ensure timely intervention. Aggressive hemodynamic, pulmonary, and operative management is essential for the optimal outcome of patients with ACS. Without definitive treatment, multisystem organ dysfunction and death ultimately ensue.
authors.affiliation: MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Fritsch
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Steinmann
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen; D000328:Adult; D003161:Compartment Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D001743:Urinary Bladder; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing