| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
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| hypovolaemic monitoring | 6/28/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: Would hypovolaemic monitoring ( with central venous pressure line or pulmonary capillary wedge ...
A: It certainly wouldn't seem a bad idea. I suppose one possible objection is that it would be one more ...
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| vent to trach | 6/28/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My sister-in-law was admitted to ICU about 2 weeks ago with pneumonia, she has a hx with pneumonia, ...
A: The rationale for the tracheostomy is to prevent damage to the trachea. Both of the tubes use a cuff ...
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| No brain activity | 6/19/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My question is regarding married friends of mine. Tom (husband) had a stroke and an aneurysm back ...
A: Unfortunately, the information Debbie has is the same information I'm aware of; transfers to ...
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| Ventilator | 6/17/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My grandmother had surgery to have a stent put in over a month ago because she had an aneurism in ...
A: You ask a question we hear frequently. I was surprised to hear our critical care physician point out ...
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| staffing | 6/10/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: I work in a CVICU our census has been low and Mgt is attempting to establish a rule to staff one RN ...
A: Not sure where you're writing from. I know here in CT it is required as you say, that there be at ...
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| induced coma | 6/5/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: A friend is in a coma after an auto accident with a closed head injury (he was a 8 on the GCS on ...
A: Induced coma is often used in this sort of instance for precisely the reason you suggested. People ...
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| Tracheotomy | 6/4/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My dad (lives in Spain)had a 7 hr heart operation on Friday last week, he has kidney failure, mucus ...
A: I'm guessing he did not have kidney failure before the operation? If so, there is a chance it will ...
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| heart valve leaking | 6/1/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: I am a 37 yr old male, 5'6" 210lbs. I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis a couple of months ago. A ...
A: I'm not trying to scare you but yes, I would seek help sooner== For this reason: palpitations are ...
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| need acronym expansion | 5/30/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: What does P/A mean? I found the term on a patient's chart, page entitled "Patient Flow Sheet," ...
A: Not entirely sure. Could be an abbreviation for almost anything. Could be pulmonary angiography, ...
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| When is it too much | 5/29/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: I have a very sick mother-in-law. She has quite an extensive history. 2 years ago she had really ...
A: She certainly does have an extensive history. And honestly, how could you not feel overwhelmed? ...
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| weaning from a vent | 5/27/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My dad in on a ventilator because of pneumonia. He is 84. They are trying to wean him off today. The ...
A: Don't mind at all. Unfortunately, these setbacks do happen. I'm glad to hear he's more awake and ...
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| weaning from a vent | 5/25/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My dad in on a ventilator because of pneumonia. He is 84. They are trying to wean him off today. The ...
A: I'm glad to hear he's doing better. Yes this is the rule of thumb I was referring to. The weakness ...
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| ARDS and respiratory care | 5/24/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My mother developed ARDS 35 days ago following emergency double bypass surgery. She is still on a ...
A: I am a little confused. You mention that she can breath on her own, but remains sedated. Is she ...
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| Lung injury | 5/24/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: I'm writing a novel in which a teenage boy is caught in an explosion (exploding petrol tank) and ...
A: I'm afraid I'm not overly familiar with this type of injury. I think you would need to ask someone ...
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| 83-Year Old Mom in ICU on Ventilator | 5/19/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My 83-year old mom has been in ICU for 24 days and intubated 21 days, with a trach 2 days now. Her ...
A: So sorry to hear about your mom. BOOP and ARDS can be survived. BOOP can often be completely ...
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| vent weaning | 5/18/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: first of all thank you for all the information you provided from my last question. I will update ...
A: I think you're on the right track. It does sound like her anxiety is her limiting issue at this ...
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| ventilator | 5/15/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: she had a fall and a bleed to the brain and has pneumonia and her chest and lungs really bad,they ...
A: It is normal to look towards placing the tracheostomy after approximately 2 weeks. You mention her ...
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| My dad in ICU who has had more and more and more things happening to him | 5/14/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My family is at its wit's end....My father went into ICU with a staph infection 45 days ago. He's ...
A: Wow! I'm so sorry your dad is having such a difficult time. It must be very tough on you and your ...
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| blood clots | 5/14/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: I had a blood clot in my leg from an injury and it broke loose .I finally had 2 saddle PEs and a ...
A: I am assuming that initially you were hospitalized and placed on some form of Heparin. A lot of the ...
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| weaning from vent | 5/13/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: my mother has been on a ventilator for 4 weeks now. It is connected via a tracheostomy and is ...
A: I'm sorry to hear you and your mom are going through such a difficult time. I wish I had some simple ...
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| what is the symtoms of tubercolosis | 5/12/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: what wil get rid of pain in front of the ear and top of the head . otc doesn't work. any idea. ...
A: Vic, I think the best thing you can do is be seen by a physician or clinic so that someone can ...
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| pain in the right side of head | 5/12/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: what wil get rid of pain in front of the ear and top of the head . otc doesn't work. any idea. ...
A: I'm afraid I really can't help you with the pain you are having around your ear and head. I think ...
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| borderline enlarged spleen | 4/22/2008 | Kimberlee Bates |
Q: I have been diagnosed with borderline enlarged spleen and minor hepatic enlargement? What does this ...
A: Hepato(Liver)spleno(Spleen)megaly(Enlargement)=enlargement of the liver and spleen beyond its normal ...
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| diarrhea and lungs | 4/16/2008 | Kimberlee Bates |
Q: Your discussion of weaning from vent has been so helpful. Mom has diarrhea, negative for C Diff. ...
A: Does your mother have tube feeding going thru an ng tube? If so, that may be the reason for the ...
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| Chain of Command | 4/4/2008 | Kimberlee Bates |
Q: That subject line sounds brutal doesn't it? Hi, I'm doing research for a book I'm writing and was ...
A: I am not sure that I understand the question but I think that you mean the primary physician, who is ...
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| pericarditis | 3/29/2008 | Kimberlee Bates |
Q: cardiac instability (low BP and developing cardiac arrhythmia) Would an ECG have been able to ...
A: Pericarditis- inflammation of the pericardial sac An ecg does not determine the cause; It is used ...
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| quary for ICU | 3/25/2008 | Kimberlee Bates |
Q: Can patient discharge directly from ICU? or there is some observation period needed.
A: There have been cases where we have discharged patients from our surgical ICU. For instance last ...
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| Blood pressure | 3/23/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: I am 47 years, I weigh 178 lb kilos. Work as a Police officer in the UK. I consider myself to have a ...
A: I like your diet and exercise regime, and congratulations on your abstinence from alcohol. Even if ...
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| Looking for Hope | 3/23/2008 | Kimberlee Bates |
Q: My father had his lung removed because of Lung Cancer and now he has been on a ventilator for about ...
A: This would depend upon any pre-existing lung complications that he may have (i.e., COPD,etc) as well ...
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| After coma and stroke | 3/9/2008 | Kimberlee Bates |
Q: my boyfriend had a terrible car accident the 22 of Feb. 08 and was put in a induced coma until the ...
A: I would first like to say that I am sorry that this has happened. Unfortunately recovering from a ...
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| COPD ventilator/tracheostomy | 2/22/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My name is sarah i am 23 yrs old. my mother is 53 yrs old. she has had COPD since about 1999. She ...
A: I can understand your fears. Your mom is a young woman. I'm curious about how problematic her lung ...
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| Demerol | 2/18/2008 | Kimberlee Bates |
Q: A patient has end stage liver disease awaiting a transplant. MELD score is 21. Next day his ammonia ...
A: I would need more information before I can answer your question. You say that the next day his ...
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| COPD and Ventilator Use | 2/11/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My 71 year-old father has now been in ICU for 10 days with a COPD exacerbation caused, I believe, by ...
A: I apologize for how long this has taken me to answer. I thought I had, but evidently the computer ...
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| Weaning of Tracheostomy/CPAP/Ventilator | 2/6/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My mother had a tricuspid valve repair surgery and a new "MAZE" or PACE? produre (a sort of ring ...
A: It sounds as if she is actually doing well. Her weakness is to be expected. The rule of thumb I have ...
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| ventilator/pancreatitis | 1/29/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My son was admitted to ICU with pancreatitis and is on a ventilator since admission. He is 38 years ...
A: This must be really difficult for you. I hope there is some possibility of putting aside differences ...
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| off the ventilator | 1/20/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: my mother is 77 had pneumonia was in icu 17 days off the ventilator now when can she eat.
A: Usually, for patients with a simple pneumonia, we allow them to start with ice chips and sips ...
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| Severe Hypothermia Recovery | 1/19/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: A 57 year old male friend of mine was sick with flue and collapsed unclothed in his home from ...
A: It sounds as if the pain is related to the rhabdomyolysis he had initially. Although you don't ...
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| How long can a person stay on a ventilator after surgery | 1/18/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: My Dad had open heart surgery to replace a valve and an artery 4 days ago. They tried to take him ...
A: There is no real limit to how long a person can remain on a ventilator. Usually, if he is still on ...
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| Severe Hypothermia Recovery | 1/12/2008 | Hillarie Speziale |
Q: A 57 year old male friend of mine was sick with flue and collapsed unclothed in his home from ...
A: I'm afraid I don't have a lot of answers for you. I'm amazed he is as intact neurologically as he ...
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| Question on becoming a Critical Care Physician | 1/6/2008 | Miranda Szopinska, M.D. |
Q: First of all I would like to thank you for volunteering to help clueless kids like me! I am a 16 ...
A: I'm glad to hear that you are interested in pursuing medicine. It is a very rewarding career. My ...
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