| Brain Injury: The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) |
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The following are definitions of the ICU equipment pictured above. Monitor screen a screen that displays the patients heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, and intracranial pressure. Head dressing a bandage to keep the head injury or surgical incision clean and dry. ICP monitor a small tube placed into or just on top of the brain through a small hole in the skull. It measures the amount of intracranial pressure inside the brain. EKG lead wires wires connected to the chest with small patches that measure heart rate and rhythm. Nasogastric tube a tube inserted through the nose and into the stomach that can be used to suction the stomach or provide liquid food into the stomach. Endotracheal tube a tube inserted through the patients nose or mouth into the trachea (windpipe) to help with breathing and suctioning. Intravenous catheter (IV) and intravenous fluid a flexible tube through which fluid, nutrients, and medicine are given. Ventilator a machine that helps with breathing or breathes completely for a patient. Anti-embolism stockings (often called TEDS or TED hose) long white stockings which help prevent blood clots from forming in the legs. Sequential compression stockings (also called SCD hose) plastic leg wraps that inflate and deflate to help prevent blood from pooling in the legs. Foley catheter a drainage tube from the bladder that allows urine to be collected and measured. |