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2 Minute EBP Challenge

Monday, February 13, 2012
Treatment of "Wake Up" Stroke
In up to 25% of patients with stroke the onset time is unknown. If the patient woke up with ischemic stroke symptoms, what would be the most appropriate treatment?

Monday, February 06, 2012
Compression Stockings and VTE
Which of the following statements about compression elastic stockings for prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is true?

Monday, January 30, 2012
Scrub the Hub
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that central venous catheter (CVC) hubs be scrubbed for how long?

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  • Get tips, timesavers, and more from
    David W. Woodruff, MSN, RN-BC, CNS, CMSRN, CEN

    Home > 2 Minute EBP Challenge > Severe Sepsis and AF Risk

    Severe Sepsis and AF Risk

    Monday, January 23, 2012
    2 Minute EBP CHallenge

    Stay up-to-date the easy way!

    How would you answer this question?

    Up to 20% of patients with severe sepsis develop a new onset atrial fibrillation.  Which factor was not associated with increased risk?

    a.  Older age.
    b.  Respiratory failure.
    c.  Anticoagulation.
    d.  Right heart catheterization.

    The correct answer is "c" anticoagulation.

    Patients with sepsis and hypotension (severe sepsis) have an increased risk of developing new onset atrial fibrillation (AF) and subsequent stroke. Older age, respiratory failure, and right heart catheterization increased the risk of AF and stroke in severe sepsis. This study did not assess whether anticoagulation would decrease the risk, and anticoagulation may be contraindicated if disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) exists.

    Nurses can be aware of the association between severe sepsis and AF and monitor vital signs and ECGs for AF. In atrial fibrillation blood clots form in the heart due to ineffective pumping and can be mobilized to the brain causing stroke. Neurological status should be monitored and signs of stroke: trouble walking, speaking, and changes in behavior or conscious should be reported to the physician.

    From: Walkey, A.J., et al. (2011). Incident stroke and mortality associated with new onset atrial fibrillation in patients hospitalized with severe sepsis. JAMA, 306(20), 2248-2254.

    Congratulations to Claudette Brumet who won an autographed copy of my 101 Tips to Improve Your Nursing Care book for answering this week's question correctly.  Congratulations Claudette! 

    Get free Nursing Tips by texting NursingTips to 86677. 

    Like our blog at www.facebook.com/ed4nurses

    Best wishes,
    David W. Woodruff, MSN, RN-BC, CNS, CMSRN, CEN
    President,     Ed4Nurses, Inc.

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