Critical Care Nursing
Critical Care Nursing is a specialized area of nursing that focuses on the care of patients with life-threatening conditions.
Pronunciation
Critical Care Nursing: /ˈkrɪtɪkəl keər ˈnɜːsɪŋ/
Etymology
The term "Critical Care Nursing" is derived from the English language. "Critical" comes from the Greek word "kritikos", meaning "able to discern", and "Care" comes from the Old English word "caru", meaning "sorrow, anxiety, grief". "Nursing" comes from the Latin word "nutrire", meaning "to suckle or nourish".
Definition
Critical Care Nursing is a branch of nursing focused on the utmost care of the critically ill or unstable patients following extensive injury, surgery or life-threatening diseases. Critical care nurses can be found working in a wide variety of environments and specialties, such as general intensive care units, medical intensive care units, surgical intensive care units, trauma intensive care units, coronary care units, cardiothoracic intensive care units, and some trauma center emergency departments.
Related Terms
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU): An area of a hospital dedicated to the care of patients who are seriously ill and require intensive monitoring and treatment.
- Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU): A specialized ICU that deals with patients who have undergone cardiothoracic surgery.
- Trauma Intensive Care Unit (TICU): A specialized ICU that deals with patients who have suffered a severe injury, such as a head injury or multiple fractures.
- Coronary Care Unit (CCU): A specialized ICU that deals with patients who have heart conditions, such as heart attacks or unstable angina.
See Also
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