Individualized assessment is made by the SICU nurse to determine the immediate needs of the critical care patient.
Ongoing assessment is then established to keep tabs on the patients condition and make any changes in treatment based on hospital policy procedure and protocol.
Assessment helps the nurse and other hospital staff determines what plan of action to take in care of the patient.
Assessment also allows the SICU nurse to educate the patient and her family on what to expect in the days weeks and months following SICU treatment.
Following doctor or head nurse instructions the SICU nurse performs treatments and therapies for the patient.
She gives the patient all necessary medication. If the patient lapses into cardiac arrest or another condition that requires resuscitation the nurse follow hospital protocols and administers life-saving techniques.
When a patients condition changes rapidly the nurse makes quick decisions to treat the patient effectively.
As shift changes occur it is the nurses duty to inform the relief nurse of all patient care information.
If the patient requires special procedures the SICU nurse acts as an assistant to the doctor or head nurse.
Documentation of assessments and drug therapy is recorded by the SICU nurse.
She also makes documentation of physical therapy and other treatments given.
The nurse must also keep all patient clinical records with doctor orders confidentially secure.
The SICU nurse must be no discriminative and nonjudgmental when dealing with patients.
In some cases the SICU nurse is the team leader on the nursing staff and reports directly to the head or charge nurse.
In this position she has the duty of directing and developing the skills and abilities of the staff under her.
She is also responsible for giving the team assignments as directed by the head nurse.
The nurse plays an active role in team conferences participating in in-service trainings and initiating CPR and codes classes when needed.
