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Moral Distress In Critical Care Nursing: The State Of The Science, Natalie S. Mcandrew, Jane Leske, Kathryn Schroeter

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background:

Moral distress is a complex phenomenon frequently experienced by critical care nurses. Ethical conflicts in this practice area are related to technological advancement, high intensity work environments, and end-of-life decisions.

Objectives:

An exploration of contemporary moral distress literature was undertaken to determine measurement, contributing factors, impact, and interventions.

Review Methods:

This state of the science review focused on moral distress research in critical care nursing from 2009 to 2015, and included 12 qualitative, 24 quantitative, and 6 mixed methods studies.

Results:

Synthesis of the scientific literature revealed inconsistencies in measurement, conflicting findings of moral distress and nurse demographics, problems …

"Sedation Is Tricky" : A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Nurses' Perceptions Of Sedation Administration In Mechanically Ventilated Intensive Care Unit Patients, Breanna Hetland, Jill L. Guttormson, Mary Fran Tracy, Linda L. Chlan

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

Critical care nurses are responsible for administering sedative medications to mechanically ventilated patients. With significant advancements in the understanding of the impact of sedative exposure on physiological and psychological outcomes of ventilated patients, updated practice guidelines for assessment and management of pain, agitation, and delirium in the intensive care unit were released in 2013. The primary aim of this qualitative study was to identify and describe themes derived from critical care nurses' comments regarding sedation administration practices with mechanically ventilated patients.

Methods

This is a qualitative content analysis of secondary text data captured through a national electronic survey of …