, PAGE 2 — Introduction to Critical Care Nursing
Definition
Critical care nursing is the specialized practice of providing comprehensive care to
patients with life-threatening conditions, requiring advanced knowledge, skills, and
continuous monitoring in high-acuity settings such as ICU, CCU, or emergency
departments.
Goals
1. Preserve life
2. Prevent complications
3. Stabilize physiologic function
4. Facilitate recovery
5. Educate patients and families
Roles of the Critical Care Nurse
● Patient advocate
● Clinical decision-maker
● Educator & counselor
● Coordinator with interdisciplinary team
PAGE 3 — Patient Assessment in Critical Care
Comprehensive Assessment
● Airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs)
● Neurological assessment: Glasgow Coma Scale, reflexes
Definition
Critical care nursing is the specialized practice of providing comprehensive care to
patients with life-threatening conditions, requiring advanced knowledge, skills, and
continuous monitoring in high-acuity settings such as ICU, CCU, or emergency
departments.
Goals
1. Preserve life
2. Prevent complications
3. Stabilize physiologic function
4. Facilitate recovery
5. Educate patients and families
Roles of the Critical Care Nurse
● Patient advocate
● Clinical decision-maker
● Educator & counselor
● Coordinator with interdisciplinary team
PAGE 3 — Patient Assessment in Critical Care
Comprehensive Assessment
● Airway, breathing, circulation (ABCs)
● Neurological assessment: Glasgow Coma Scale, reflexes
