title: Opportunistic fungal infections in the critically ill.
abstract: Opportunistic fungal infections are increasingly common in acute care and now represent 10% to 15% of all nosocomial infections. Few references and clinical resources are readily available for nurses in planning care for these patients (as opposed to bacterial diseases, which are better known). Nurses must recognize patients at high risk for fungal infections and develop more detailed assessment plans that include orifice and breath sound assessments. They also must be familiar with antifungal therapies and the specialized nursing care required to administer them safely and with the best bioavailability.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Oncology Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. sheltbr@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Shelton
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D001682:Biological Availability; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D016638:Critical Illness; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016527:Drug Costs; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009181:Mycoses / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D018579:Patient Selection; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents