title: Acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema: reflecting on the management of an intensive care unit patient.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper is to reflect upon the management interventions of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and diuretic therapy that were implemented for a patient admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Acute pulmonary oedema is a serious and life-threatening complication of acute heart failure, particularly if this results from an ischaemic event. Statistics highlight that of those patients treated for acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, approximately only one third were alive after 1 year. Many of these patients will require intensive care management in order to restore homeostasis. It is therefore imperative that nurses understand the condition and the relevant management of it in order to maximize the already poor prognosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using Driscoll's (2000) reflective model to guide critical thinking, this paper reflects on the management of one patient who was admitted to ICU with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema as a result of heart failure. Although there are many aspects of patient management that can be explored, specific care interventions that this patient received in relation to NIV and diuretic therapy will be considered. The evidence base for their use, together with the relevant nursing management issues, and patient implications will be critically analysed and outlined.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper identifies that standard therapy for acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema is largely supportive and aimed at promoting gaseous exchange. It also highlights that nurses have a key role in ensuring that these essential treatments are as efficacious as possible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By using a reflective analysis approach, this paper highlights how reflecting on practice improves knowledge and understanding of the use of NIV and diuretic therapy interventions and should facilitate nurses working in ICU to become more competent in ensuring that the treatment provided for acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema is as successful as possible.
authors.affiliation: Intensive Care Unit, Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast, BT16 1RH, UK.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Skinner
authors.forename: Aidín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McKinney
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D003422:Critical Care; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing* / Q000628:therapy*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000451:nursing*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics