Principles of Emergency & Critical Care Nursing - Concept Map
Emergency & Critical Care Nursing: Rapid Recognition and Life-Saving Intervention
Related concepts
Triage: Prioritization by Acuity
Sub concepts
- Three-Tier System (Emergent, Urgent, Non-Urgent)
- Five-Level ESI Scale
- Continuous Re-triage
- Mass-Casualty START Triage (Red, Yellow, Green, Black)
- Color-Coding in Disaster Settings
Relationship to central
First-line nursing responsibility; determines order of patient care based on severity
Primary Survey: ABCDE Framework
Sub concepts
- A - Airway with C-spine Protection
- B - Breathing Assessment & Support
- C - Circulation & Hemorrhage Control
- D - Disability & Neurologic Status
- E - Exposure & Environmental Management
Relationship to central
Systematic rapid assessment for life-threatening conditions; never advance until current threat is managed
Secondary Survey
Sub concepts
- SAMPLE History Framework
- Head-to-Toe Physical Examination
- Complete Vital Signs
- Diagnostic Testing
- Pain Assessment
Relationship to central
Follows primary survey completion; detailed head-to-toe assessment and focused history
Critical Care Environment & ICU Management
Sub concepts
- Continuous Hemodynamic Monitoring
- Prevention of Iatrogenic Harm
- Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Prevention
- Central-Line Infection Prevention
- Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis
- Pressure Injury Prevention
- Family Communication & Support
Relationship to central
Specialized setting for highest-acuity patients requiring continuous monitoring and advanced support
Hemodynamic Monitoring Parameters
Sub concepts
- Arterial Line Monitoring
- Central Venous Pressure (CVP)
- Pulmonary Artery Catheter
- Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP)
- Perfusion Assessment
- Transducer Leveling & Zeroing
Relationship to central
Guides fluid and drug therapy; allows early recognition of deterioration before clinical collapse
Nursing Priority Interventions
Sub concepts
- Stabilize Before Diagnosing
- Establish Vascular Access Early
- Continuous Monitoring
- Post-Intervention Reassessment
- Structured Documentation & Handover (SBAR)
Relationship to central
Core interventions that prevent patient deterioration and death; applied systematically across all emergency scenarios
Complications & Prevention
Sub concepts
- Hypoxic Brain Injury from Airway Loss
- Tension Pneumothorax
- Hemorrhagic Shock
- Device-Related Infections
- Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury
- Pressure Injuries
Relationship to central
Life-threatening or iatrogenic complications arising from missed/delayed assessment or care lapses
Patient & Family Education
Sub concepts
- Acute-Phase Orientation
- Equipment & Alarm Explanation
- Realistic Expectation-Setting
- Advance Directive Discussion
- Return Precautions at Discharge
Relationship to central
Nursing responsibility per RA 9173; supports informed decision-making and safe transitions of care
Concept connections
- TriagePrimary SurveyTriage determines priority for Primary Survey; emergent patients go straight to ABCDE assessment
- Primary Survey ABCDESecondary SurveyPrimary Survey must be completed and life threats addressed before Secondary Survey begins; they are sequential, not simultaneous
- Primary Survey ABCDENursing Priority InterventionsEach ABCDE component requires specific priority interventions; nursing actions are driven by the survey findings
- Circulation AssessmentHemodynamic MonitoringCirculation assessment (C in ABCDE) leads to hemodynamic monitoring establishment in critical care; parameters guide fluid and drug therapy
- Critical Care EnvironmentHemodynamic MonitoringICU setting requires continuous hemodynamic monitoring; transducer leveling, CVP interpretation, and MAP goals are core ICU nursing skills
- Critical Care EnvironmentComplications & PreventionICU patients are at high risk for iatrogenic complications; prevention strategies are central to critical care nursing
- Airway Assessment ADisability Assessment DAirway management directly affects oxygenation, which affects brain perfusion and neurologic status; airway dysfunction causes disability
- Breathing Assessment BCirculation Assessment CRespiratory failure leads to hypoxia, which triggers anaerobic metabolism and shock; breathing must be restored before circulation stabilizes
- Secondary SurveyPatient Family TeachingInformation gathered during secondary survey informs what patients/families need to understand about diagnosis, treatment plan, and discharge precautions
- Mass-Casualty START TriagePrimary SurveySTART triage is an accelerated, streamlined version of primary survey designed for rapid sorting in disaster; uses same ABCDE logic but with rapid decision rules
- Hemodynamic Monitoring ParametersNursing Priority InterventionsHemodynamic values (CVP, MAP, urine output) guide the priority interventions nurses implement (fluid administration, vasopressor use, reassessment frequency)
- Complications & PreventionCritical Care EnvironmentPrevention of complications (VAP, CLABSI, VTE, pressure injuries) is the defining focus of ICU nursing; protocols are embedded in daily ICU routines
- Disability Assessment DBlood Glucose CheckHypoglycemia is a rapidly reversible cause of altered mental status; must be ruled out immediately in any patient with decreased consciousness
- Exposure Assessment EComplications & PreventionExposure phase prevents hypothermia and identifies hidden injuries; hypothermia is part of the trauma lethal triad (hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy)
- Patient Family TeachingNursing Priority InterventionsPatient/family education supports adherence to interventions, reduces anxiety, and facilitates informed decision-making; part of holistic nursing care per RA 9173
Diagrams
Complete Concept Map: Principles of Emergency & Critical Care Nursing
Comprehensive mind map showing the hierarchical relationship of all key concepts in Emergency & Critical Care Nursing, organized by the major topic areas of triage, primary/secondary survey, critical care environment, hemodynamic monitoring, nursing priorities, complications, and patient education.
Primary Survey (ABCDE) Decision Tree & Intervention Flow
Step-by-step flowchart of the Primary Survey (ABCDE) showing decision points and interventions for each component. Emphasizes that the sequence is absolute: airway before breathing, breathing before circulation, and so forth. Each step must be completed or threatened addressed before advancing to the next.
Triage Classification System & Patient Sorting
Classification flowchart showing the three-tier triage system (Emergent, Urgent, Non-Urgent) with examples of each category and the key nursing action of continuous re-triage throughout the patient's ED stay.
Hemodynamic Assessment & Perfusion Goal Framework
Comprehensive flowchart of hemodynamic monitoring that integrates arterial line, CVP, and MAP assessment with clinical perfusion parameters. Shows decision points for fluid management and vasopressor use based on monitoring values and real clinical indicators of tissue perfusion.
Disaster Mass-Casualty START Triage Sequence
Sequence diagram showing the START (Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment) mass-casualty triage algorithm used in disasters. Emphasizes the key decision sequence: respirations first, then perfusion, then mental status. Note the critical distinction: in routine ED care, a non-breathing patient who can be opened receives full resuscitation; in START triage, that same patient receives a BLACK tag as non-salvageable to maximize resources for the greatest good.
Critical Care (ICU) Nursing: Prevention of Iatrogenic Harm
Comprehensive flowchart of ICU iatrogenic harm prevention strategies, organized by the four major preventable complications: VAP, CLABSI, VTE, and pressure injuries. Each intervention bundle is evidence-based and is part of the standard NCM (Nursing Care Model) quality metrics in Philippine critical care settings.
Patient Acuity State Transitions During Emergency Care
State diagram showing how patients transition through different acuity states and care environments in the emergency and critical care system, from initial triage through primary survey, secondary survey, critical care admission, and eventual discharge. Emphasizes continuous reassessment and the possibility of deterioration requiring return to primary survey at any point.
Critical Care Nursing Time Allocation: Iatrogenic Prevention Focus
Pie chart illustrating the approximate time distribution of critical care nursing responsibilities, showing that prevention of iatrogenic harm (complications caused by care delivery) accounts for the largest proportion of nursing activity. This reflects the Philippine NCM emphasis on patient safety and quality care in ICU settings.