Date of Award

2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Committee Chair

Reimund Serafica

Abstract

International studies indicate that induced hypothermia in successful Post Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation improves cerebral perfusion resulting in improved neurological function. Patients undergoing a neurological exam prior to induction of hypothermia may indicate potential mortality prognosis in this population. Literature Review indicated the use of the Glasgow-Pittsburg Cerebral Performance Categories for evaluation of neurological status in this population, but most institutions seem to utilize Glasgow Coma Scoring (GCS) in all patient populations for neurological examination. The purpose of this study was to determine if a neurological evaluation prior to and during the Induced Hypothermia state would affect the mortality outcomes in this population. A sample size of fifty five patients (n=55) was chosen from a retrospective quantitative chart review at a hospital in the Piedmont Region of South Carolina. Each patient was successful post cardiac arrest resuscitation and had induction of hypothermia and care in the Coronary Care Unit. A descriptive study was done as a simple logistic regression analysis indicated that the sample size was too small with an alpha level of 0.1. A one-way Analysis of Acute Physiology Scoring (APS), which is a severity of illness score in critical care utilizing APACHE IV methodology, and GCS were completed. The results of this study indicate a nursing implication for this population. Nursing expertise in obtaining a GCS score may need to be increased to determine this patient population outcome.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

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