BASIC TRAINING HOW TO BECOME
A CRITICAL CARE NURSE
The ICU crash course will have three day period workshop to enable nurses to develop
the basic skills necessary for the COVID-19 crisis.
Specific Objectives:
After the course, the participants will be able to:
1. Obtain basic knowledge about Critical Care nursing in relation to the pandemic
situation.
● Oriented with ICU set up
● Medical Staff safety
● Bedside responsibilities
● Use of outlined assessment and care
2. Apply the basic standards skills of Critical Care nursing. (Airway)
● Proper suctioning (Yankeur/ Suction Catheter as to indication, size
of the tube to be used, depth and suction pressure)
● Use of close circuit catheter technique
● Obtain a sterile C/S sample
● Administering nebulizers to ventilated patients
3. Assist Intubation and Extubation. (Breathing)
● Prepare necessary equipment
● Proper technique of Ambu bagging
● Troubleshoot ventilator alarms
● ABG prompt referral
4. Set up and understand ICU monitors. (Circulation)
● Be able to assist line insertions
● Hook patients to monitors for hemodynamic monitoring
● Assist in handling patients with multiple invasive lines
● Obtain laboratory samples via CVC and Arterial line access
● Replacement of fluids and electrolytes
5. Report data regarding the patient neurological status. (CNS)
● RASS, GCS, FLACC Scale
● EEG
BASIC TRAINING HOW TO BECOME
A CRITICAL CARE NURSE
6. Understanding basic ECG tracing. (CVS)
● Identify life-threatening arrhythmias (AF, VF, SVT, etc)
7. Carry out Intake Output Chart (GU)
● Urine Output
● CRRT
8. Address Bowel related issues (GI)
● Tolerated feeds
● Bowel movements, melena
● LFT reports, jaundice
9. Monitor signs of bleeding. (HAEMA)
● CBC reports
● Blood products and Exchange Transfusion
● Plasmapheresis
● DVT prophylaxis
● Application of Pneumatic Compressors
10. Identify signs of a new infection (ID)
● Fever (WBC)
● Culture Reports
● Sepsis
11. Observe Skin Integrity (Skin)
● Braden Scale
● Hematoma, Cellulitis, Rash
● Thrombophlebitis
12. Participate in rendering general ICU care.
● Administer medications
● Proning patients
● Enteral feeding
● Routine hygiene care
● Turning patients every 2 hours
BASIC TRAINING HOW TO BECOME
A CRITICAL CARE NURSE
● Wound/ skincare
● Post mortem care
13. Use of ICU Admission and Discharge Checklist.
● Fill out the necessary ICU checklist and forms
