In increasing numbers, geriatric patients are being treated in intensive and critical care, as well as by trauma and emergency departments. This book is an evidence-based, best-practices guide that directs the bedside care of critically ill elders by practicing ICU nurses in an area where the care needs and issues differ from those of younger adults. The elderly present special clinical challenges, since concomitant diseases complicate their management. The clinical section discusses major disorders arising in elder care, explains how to isolate the problem, and offers evidence-based practice.

I.The context for critical care nursing of older adults -- ch. 1. Introduction and overview / Marquis D. Foreman, Kown Milisen, and Terry T. Fulmer -- ch. 2. Standards of practice for gerontological and critical care nursing / Ruth M. Kleinpell -- ch. 3. The critical care environment / Dorothy F. Tullmann, Polly Beckwith Hawkes, and Elizabeth H. Enfield -- ch. 4. Patient safety for older patients in the intensive care setting / Judy Dillworth and Terry T. Fulmer -- II. Social aspects of critical care nursing of older adults -- ch. 5. Ethical decision making / Ethel L. Mitty -- ch. 6. Continuity of care / Kathleen M. McCauley -- ch. 7. Family responses to critical care of the older adult / Jane S. Leske -- ch. 8. End-of-life care and decisions about life-sustaining treatments / Karen Kehl and Karin T. Kirchoff -- ch. 9. Becoming frail / Graham J. McDougall, Jr., and Carol L. Delville -- ch. 10 The chronically critically ill / Clareen Wiencek and Ronald Hickman, Jr. -- . ch. 11. Function of older adults in acute care: optimizing an opportunity / Barbara Resnick -- III. Foundations for clinical care of critically ill older adults -- ch. 12. Physiology of aging -- Impact on critical illness and treatment / Alexandra J. Brock and Rita A. Jablonski -- ch. 13. Pharmacotherapy / J. Mark Ruscin -- ch. 14. Nutrition and hydration / Kathryn A. Wilt and Donna M. Fick -- . 15. Physical restraints in critical care: Practice issues and future directions / Lorraine C. Mion and Cheryl M. Bradas -- ch. 16. Infection, sepsis, and immune function / Matthew R. Sorenson -- ch. 17. Understanding and manging sleep disorders in older adult patients in the intensive care unit / Elisabeth Marie, NIrav Patel, and Nalaka S. Goonratne -- ch. 18. Pain in the critically ill older adult / Céline Gélinas and Keela Herr -- IV Approaches to complex clinical issues in critically ill older adults -- ch. 19. Pressure ulcer prevention and management / Tom Defloor, Katrien Vanderwee, and Carol Dealey -- ch. 20. Wound healing in the elderly / Courtney H. Lyder -- ch. 21. Substance abuse and withdrawal / Marc Sabbe and Joris Vandenberghe -- ch. 22. Urinary incontinence in critically ill older adults / Mary H. Palmer -- ch. 23. Heart failure in the critically ill older patient / Debra K. Moser and Michael W. Rich -- ch. 24. Perioprative care of the elderly / Jeffrey H. Silverstein -- . ch. 25. Acute respiratory failure and mechanical ventilation in the elderly / Jill Kamen -- . ch. 26. Delirium in critical illness / Marquis D. Foreman, Marieke Schuurmans, and Koen Milisen.