Specialty Essay (INTENSIVE CARE NURSING)
Topic: Jacki is 68 years old. She has been ventilated for 7 days following a motor vehicle accident which has left her with a severe traumatic brain injury. She has been extubated, is breathing unassisted, and is requiring palliative care (or end of life care). Critically analyse the scientific evidence supporting two important care options. First, what is the scientific evidence for providing or not providing nutrition to Jacki? Second, what is the scientific evidence for providing or not providing hydration to Jacki?
Weighting: 60%
Length and/or format: 2500 words (see marking guide). Please use size 12 font, double line spacing, double space between paragraphs. Use APA 6th edition
referencing style
Instructions: Please keep your focus on the scientific knowledge that underpins your specialty (relevant anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, treatments).
Do not be tempted to present nursing care
Need at least 20 references including 15 peer reviewed journal articles published after 2009 (with in last 5 years)
Recommended text book references for this essay
Bullock, S., & Manias, E. (2013). Fundamentals of pharmacology (7th ed.). Frenchs Forest, NSW: Pearson Australia.
McCance, K. L., & Huether, S.E. (Eds.). (2014). Pathophysiology: The biologic basis for disease in adults and children (7th ed.). St Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.
Further references
Martini, F. H., Nath, J., Bartholomew, W., Ober, W., Garrison, C.W., Welsh, K., & Hutchins, R.T. (2012). Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology (9th ed.). San
Francisco, CA: Pearson/Benjamin Cummings.
Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (2013). Human anatomy and physiology (9th ed.). Glenville, Ill: Pearson Education: Pearson/Benjamin Cummings.
Porth, C. M., & Matfin, G. (2013). (Ed’s). Pathophysiology: Concepts of altered health states (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Woltersklummer Health/Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins.
