The immune system: implications for critical care nursing

The immune system consists of a number of elements that work together in a complex manner to protect the body from foreign or invading organisms. Problems arise when the immune system malfunctions, or is suppressed by illness or other factors. Critical care nurses who incorporate assessment for the risk factors of immunocompromise into daily patient assessments and who plan interventions to prevent the effects of such immunocompromise, may prevent complications such as infection and achieve positive outcomes in patient care.