Veterinary Nursing Guide to Monitoring Critical Pa tients: The Rule of 20

Detailní popis produktu

Rather than simply listing monitoring parameters, the book explains what each parameter represents, why it matters, how it interacts with the others, and how changes should influence nursing interventions. Organized into practical, easy-to-follow chapters, it helps veterinary nurses develop individualized nursing plans while improving clinical reasoning and early recognition of patient deterioration. Each chapter concludes with key nursing considerations and real-world clinical examples.

The book covers topics including:

• Introduction to the Rule of 20
• Developing nursing care plans
• Fluid balance
• Colloidal osmotic pressure (albumin)
• Oxygenation
• Ventilation
• Blood pressure monitoring
• Heart rate, rhythm, and contractility
• Blood glucose monitoring
• Body temperature
• Electrolyte balance
• Acid–base balance
• Neurological status (mentation)
• Red blood cell and hemoglobin concentration
• Gastrointestinal motility
• Gastrointestinal mucosal integrity
• Nutritional support
• Renal function
• Coagulation
• Immune status
• Antibiotic therapy
• Drug dosage and metabolism
• Pain assessment and pain management
• Nursing care and patient mobilization
• Wound management
• Bandage care
• Tender loving care (TLC)
• Recognizing patient deterioration
• Anticipating complications
• Practical case examples
• Nursing summaries for every parameter

The book emphasizes that the Rule of 20 is not simply a checklist but a dynamic monitoring system in which changes in one physiological parameter often influence several others. By encouraging proactive monitoring instead of reactive treatment, it helps veterinary nurses identify subtle clinical changes before they progress into life-threatening complications.

Who is this book for?

• Veterinary technicians
• Veterinary nurses
• Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) technicians
• ICU veterinary nurses
• Veterinary technician students
• Veterinary nursing students
• Small animal veterinarians
• Veterinary professionals preparing for VTS (ECC) certification