Nursing for women's health
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Although septic shock is rare in pregnancy, it is an important contributor to maternal mortality. A woman in the perinatal period can appear deceptively well before rapidly deteriorating to septic shock. ⋯ When comparing preintervention and postintervention results in women with sepsis, statistical significance was achieved for blood lactate level testing (p = .029), administering a broad-spectrum antibiotic (p = .006), repeat lactate level testing (p = .034), and administering a broad-spectrum antibiotic in women with severe sepsis and septic shock (p = .010). Education and a sepsis protocol using a multidisciplinary approach improves compliance with sepsis bundles, which are a group of interventions that, when used together, are intended to improve health outcomes.
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Expanding evidence supports delayed cord clamping (DCC) for both term and preterm infants. This article explores issues that may be keeping early cord clamping (ECC) in place as usual practice. ⋯ New data suggest that DCC may improve resuscitative efforts in compromised infants. Multiple perspectives are offered for consideration when thinking about incorporating DCC into practice.
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Many larger facilities regularly stage obstetric drills in modern simulation departments equipped with expensive simulators. Despite lacking these resources, we wanted to provide effective simulation training at our rural hospital. ⋯ The drill included obstetric providers and incorporated scenarios for shoulder dystocia, neonatal resuscitation and postpartum hemorrhage. This was a successful multidisciplinary learning experience that was high in creativity and teamwork, but low in cost.
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Migraine headache is estimated to affect up to 28 percent of adolescents, most of whom are female. Chronic migraine in this population has been associated with reduced quality of life and academic disruption due to missed school days. Historically, migraine headache was treated episodically as it occurred. ⋯ Food and Drug Administration approved an existing medication, topiramate (Topamax®), for migraine prophylaxis in adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17. This is the first FDA approval of a drug for migraine prevention in this population. There are several possible adverse effects of taking topiramate, some potentially serious, so adequate education for adolescents and their families on all the potential benefits and risks is imperative.
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Psychoactive bath salts (PABS) comprise a group of highly dangerous designer drugs showing a sharp escalation in reported U. S. exposures from 2010 through 2012, following rapid spread of the drug in Europe. ⋯ Actual information about the effect of PABS use on pregnant women and fetuses is almost nonexistent. Clinicians should be aware of the potential maternal, fetal and neonatal effects of PABS.