The Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse works with critically ill patients who require the use of monitoring devices, measuring heart rates, breathing rates, blood pressure and oxygen levels. The LPN/LVN may monitor the patient at bedside and provide medications and other support as needed, or sometimes the monitoring is done remotely from a central location, such as the nurses station. The LPN/LVN should demonstrate the following basic competencies: Basic and advanced life support Dysrhythmia monitoring techniques, interpretation and treatment Medication dosage calculation, patient monitoring for medication effects, continuous medication infusion administration (non-titrated vasoactive agents, anti-arrhythmic agents, platelet inhibitors and/or insulin) Patient monitoring using standardized procedures for pre-, intra, and post procedures (TEE, cardiac catheterization with PCI, cardioversion, bronchoscopy, EGD, PEG placement, chest tube insertion) Recognition of the symptoms and signs of cardiopulmonary emergencies and the initiation of standardized interventions to stabilize the patient awaiting transfer to critical care. Hemodynamic monitoring including equipment setup and troubleshooting, monitoring and recognition of signs and symptoms of patient instability. Interpretation of ABGs and communication of the findings Assessment of the ventilated patient to assure delivery of the prescribed treatment and proper patient response Recognition of indications for and management of the patient requiring non-invasive 02 delivery systems including oral airways, bipap and nasal CPAP Assessment and understanding of long term mechanical ventilation and weaning Assessment, monitoring and managing of patients who require renal therapeutic interventions such as hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, continuous bladder irrigation, stents and urostomies Recognition of the indications for and complications of enteral and parental nutrition Recognition of and evaluation of the familys needs for more involvement in the care to aid in transition from hospital to home The LPN/LVN should have the following characteristics: advocacy, clinical judgment, caring practices, systems thinking, response to diversity, collaboration, clinical inquiry and also be a teacher to educate the patients and their families.