Emergency care of the patient with subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a devastating neurological disorder which frequently leads to serious neurological impairment and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. One in twenty patients who present to emergency care environments with SAH are misdiagnosed. The emergency care environment presents as a challenging setting for the management of the needs of those following SAH, requiring proactive, knowledgeable and holistic care to work effectively within a multidisciplinary context to achieve positive patient outcomes. This article highlights the key aspects of the nurse's role in caring of a patient with a subarachnoid haemorrhage.
Nursing Department, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland.
Neal F
NF
Cook
D000138:Acidosis / Q000209:etiology; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D005440:Fluid Therapy / Q000379:methods; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000209:etiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000451:nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D020301:Vasospasm, Intracranial / Q000209:etiology