Nausea and vomiting: applying research to bedside practice.
Nausea and vomiting are commonly seen in the critically ill patient. While these symptoms are not often the cause for admission to critical care, they complicate and may extend the length of stay as well as the patient's feelings about his or her hospitalization. As with all care provided in critical care, we should strive to implement interventions supported by evidence whenever possible. The article includes definitions, a general description, and the pathophysiology of nausea and vomiting. As well, an evidence-based plan of care for the assessment, planning, intervention, and evaluation of the patient with nausea and vomiting is outlined, using levels of recommendation based on the strength of available evidence. A case study is presented to allow for clinical application: case study commentary reviews the salient points of care.
Steele
Allison
A
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The University of Maryland, 22 S Greene St, Room N3W63, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA. asteele@medicine.umaryland.edu
Carlson
Karen K
KK
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015984:Causality; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D009325:Nausea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012107:Research Design; D014839:Vomiting / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*
D000932:Antiemetics