In the high-stakes world of critical care, medical professionals are frequently called upon to perform life-saving procedures under intense pressure. Among these, airway intubation stands out as one of the most critical and technically demanding tasks. This procedure, which involves inserting a tube into a patient’s airway to ensure that they can breathe, is often performed in emergency situations where seconds count. The ability to intubate swiftly and accurately can mean the difference between life and death. However, this task is also fraught with stress, particularly for trainees who are still developing their skills. To better understand how these trainees cope with the stress of intubation, Dr Neil Cunningham of the University of Melbourne and colleagues conducted a groundbreaking study comparing physiological stress responses in simulated and clinical environments. Their findings offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of simulation-based training, which has become a cornerstone of medical education.

The development of pressure injuries in hospital patients is a regular occurrence, and certain areas of the body are more susceptible. Although there is abundant research on pressure injuries in adult patients, studies relating to infant and child patients are lacking. Dr. Ivy Razmus at the University of Detroit Mercy has conducted extensive research on the prevention of pressure injuries in patients under the age of 12 years. She highlights the crucial role of advanced practice nurses in managing this widespread problem.