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Although technology over the past several decades has enabled improved neuroimaging and advanced noninvasive and invasive neuromonitoring, the role of the bedside nurse conducing ongoing neurologic examination is still a foundational element of neuromonitoring. Ongoing neurologic monitoring by the bedside nurse in the neuroscience intensive care unit is variable and guided by little evidence or data. When neurologic monitoring through clinical examination is possible, data obtained from multimodal monitoring should be interpreted in the context of the neurologic examination. The bedside nurse plays a crucial role in conducting ongoing neurologic examinations.

For the bedside nurse identifying at-risk neonates for development of early-onset sepsis is a challenge. The ambiguity of clinical presentation can easily be overlooked, resulting in delayed treatment of this vulnerable population. Adding to this dilemma is inconsistent implementation of screening criteria used by health providers to identify at-risk neonates, resulting in lost opportunities of early identification and treatment. This article discusses the current approach to and the nurse's role in early-onset sepsis.

Today’s critical care nurses are faced with numerous challenges related to the complexity of critical illness, the rapidity of changing technology, and the comprehension and application of scientific advances related to the treatment of critical illness. The past decade has provided the bedside nurse with an overwhelming body of literature regarding wound healing and the inflammatory/immune system response during critical illness. A myriad of risk factors, such as advanced age, oxygen and perfusion imbalances, diabetes mellitus, obesity, pharmacologic agents, malnutrition, infection, radiation, and immunocompetence may negatively affect wound healing in the critically ill patient. This article discusses the physiology of wound healing and risk factors that may impede wound healing in the critically ill patient.