Pulmonary Care

Pulmonary Considerations in Acute, Progressive and Critical Care

Pulmonary conditions remain one of the most prevalent and challenging disorders experienced by hospitalized acutely and critically ill patients. According to the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), respiratory insufficiency/failure is one of the top five ICU admission diagnoses. SCCM's pediatric critical care data shows even higher rates — over 40% present with respiratory failure upon admission. And roughly 20% to 40% of all ICU admissions in the United States require mechanical ventilation, per SCCM.

Every day, nurses face the complexities of caring for patients with pulmonary conditions. Whether you are managing acute respiratory exacerbations, supporting patients on advanced oxygen therapies or overseeing mechanical ventilation care, AACN provides evidence-based resources, guidelines and educational materials to support your practice. These resources assist in the management of complex respiratory conditions in high-acuity settings, helping to enhance clinical decision-making, improve patient outcomes and keep you up-to-date on the best practices in pulmonary care.

We also recommend reviewing "An Update on Management of Adult Patients with ARDS" in the American Thoracic Society's peer-reviewed journal.

Foundational Elements of Pulmonary Nursing Care

Airway and Breathing Management

Assessing respiratory status, maintaining airway patency, supporting oxygenation and ventilation, and responding to signs of deterioration

Ventilation and Oxygen Therapy Support

Monitoring and managing patients on supplemental oxygen, noninvasive ventilation and mechanical ventilation, including equipment troubleshooting and safety practices

Pulmonary Hygiene

Promoting effective airway clearance, coordinating respiratory therapy (RT) interventions and helping to prevent complications such as atelectasis and pneumonia

Patient Education and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Teaching patients and families about respiratory conditions and treatments while working closely with RTs, physicians and the care team to optimize outcomes

Key Pulmonary Resources

To help you navigate the complexities of pulmonary care for acutely and critically ill patients, AACN offers the following featured resources.

No Scare Chest Tube Care

This blog shows how chest-tube care can be simplified through just-in-time training and step-by-step checklists, building confidence and effectiveness.

Don’t Give In, Just Breathe In

Explore this CSI project during which nurses significantly reduced patient oxygen time and respiratory-related readmissions through staff and patient education.

Navigating the Updated ARDS Guidelines

This NTI session covers ARDS strategies, post-intensive care syndrome and the ICU Liberation Bundle.

Airway Management: Best Practices for Respiratory Failure

Master lifesaving airway strategies with evidence-based techniques to manage respiratory failure safely.

ABGs 101: Demystifying the Blood Gas

Gain clarity and confidence in arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation in this session with simple, actionable concepts.

Awake and Walking ICU: Mastery of the ABCDEF Bundle

This webinar dives deep into applying evidence-based sedation and early mobility practices to enhance outcomes using the ABCDEF bundle.

Pediatric Pulmonary Resources

Caring for pediatric patients who require pulmonary interventions brings additional challenges. We invite you to explore the following resources to optimize your nursing practice.

Combat VAT: Preventing Pediatric Ventilator-Associated Tracheitis

This presentation explores practical pediatric strategies to prevent ventilator-associated tracheitis and strengthen airway protection.

Explore

Simplifying Complicated Pneumonia: Pediatric Case Studies

This NTI session uses case studies to review the diagnosis and management of complicated pediatric pneumonias.

Explore

Enhancing New Nurses’ Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Skills

This article shares how targeted training elevates novice nurses’ pediatric respiratory assessment accuracy and supports patient safety.

Explore

Assistive Communication Devices in Pediatric Noninvasive Ventilation

This article reviews how innovative assistive devices preserve communication, dignity and connection for pediatric patients.

Explore

Pulmonary Micro-Credentials

Our specialty micro-credentials support clinical excellence, enhance professional growth and promote patient safety. Earn the ARDS or ECMO micro-credential through a 90-minute online exam.

ARDS Micro-Credential

As the first line of defense against ARDS, clinicians must recognize the signs and symptoms and intervene appropriately as early as possible. Validate your specialty knowledge in caring for patients with or at risk of ARDS.

ECMO Micro-Credential

As the use of ECMO increases for patients with severe respiratory or cardiac failure, earning AACN’s ECMO Micro-Credential validates your specialty knowledge in caring for patients receiving this lifesaving therapy.

Additional Resources

Access AACN’s full collection of educational content and resources to support nurses providing pulmonary care to acutely and critically ill patients.