Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP). Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 10 page research paper that offers a review of medical-surgical nursing literature that specifically investigates the latest information on VAP, what it is, which patients are most vulnerable and how nurses are addressing this risk to positive patient outcomes. Bibliography lists 8 sources.
Page Count:
10 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khvap2.rtf
Buy This Term Paper »
Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
associated with mechanical ventilation and, specifically, with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (Dent, 2004). The following review of medical-surgical nursing literature specifically investigates the latest information on VAP, what it is, which
patients are most vulnerable and how nurses are addressing this risk to positive patient outcomes. Background Nosocomial pneumonia was described by William Osler early in the twentieth century
and this term was used to differentiate this hospital-acquired infection from pneumonia that was acquired within a community or as a result of a complication (Roy, 2007). The incidence of
VAP range anywhere from 4 to 42 percent and is associated with increases in cost of around $50,000 per case in the US (Roy, 2007). VAP has been defined as
a "new onset, nosocomial bacterial pneumonia among patients" who are receiving mechanical ventilation, either by endotracheal tube (ETT) or tracheostomy (Roy, 2007, p. 28). While VAP is principally a bacterial
infection, it is also possible for viruses, molds and fungi to be the causative agents (Roy, 2007). Who is vulnerable? The patients most at risk for HAP include
"the very elderly, smokers, and those with chronic lung disease," but any patient who is suffering from a severe illness or injury is also at risk (Dent, 2004). Other risk
factors that have been identified include "diabetes, alcoholism, malnutrition, history of antibiotic or corticosteroid use, decreased level of consciousness, immunosuppression, poor oral hygiene and elevated gastric pH" (Dent, 2004, p.
48). In a healthy body, the individuals own flora will work to prevent the growth of virulent pathogens and help prevent these microbes from colonizing the oropharynx (Dent, 2004). But,
if circumstances cause the patients immune system to be weak, virulent pathogens can find their way to the lower respiratory system via the orpharynx, and, in this environment, they multiply
...