Journal of advanced nursing
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The research was undertaken with the intention of testing six null hypotheses regarding the retention of basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills and knowledge of registered nurses. The hypotheses were formulated from the broad aims of the research, which were to investigate conclusions reached by other researchers highlighting the speed with which retention of CPR skills and knowledge deteriorates, and to investigate the need for regular updating in CPR. The research was quasi-experimental in nature. ⋯ The update in CPR knowledge also revealed an initial improvement but the decrease in retention of knowledge 10 weeks later was significant (P = 0.0000). The findings of the research reflect similar results to previous research undertaken and discussed in the literature review, suggesting that retention of skills and knowledge quickly deteriorates if not used or updated regularly. Therefore this research supports the importance of CPR refresher courses on a regular basis.
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This study aimed to explore the process of caregiver stress associated with the care of a parent with Alzheimer's disease, the perception of the relationship with the parent, the image of the caregiver role, and the contextual aspects of coping and social support relationships. The grounded theory method was used to analyse the daughter caregiving process for 17 women. Findings included substantive theory and 13 hypotheses. This study provides an expanded awareness of the interrelationship between caregiver stress and the contextual aspects of social support, coping, and the nature of the prior filial relationship.
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From modest developments of 'popular' nursing journals many years ago, there has been a prolific growth in the numbers of nursing journals published each year. This growth is particularly noteworthy in the increase in the numbers of specialist interest and scholarly nursing journals. The different types of journals have also tended to influence each other's contents, as well as the contents of nursing textbooks. ⋯ Increasingly the focus of all the journals has been on nursing practice--and the factors associated with professional practice and the professional education and development of nurses. Whilst it is conceded that it is difficult to demonstrate that nursing journals have made a direct impact on care, some indirect impact can be claimed. This claim is based, among other things, on the contribution of nursing journals to the development of nursing as a profession, their contribution to the individual development of professional nurses, and their contribution to the documentation of the body of nursing knowledge.
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This paper describes the process and outcomes of a study to develop a tool to measure nurses' knowledge of palliative care. The development of the palliative care quiz for nursing (PCQN) entailed the convening of an advisory committee, a wide process of consultation, the development of a conceptual framework, determination of format, generating of items and pre-testing, piloting and further testing of the quiz. The PCQN is a 20-item true, false and 'I don't know' test of knowledge that is easily administered and has utility for assessing knowledge, stimulating discussion and identifying misconceptions about palliative care nursing.
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Dyspnoea or breathlessness is a problem commonly encountered in the palliative care of many patients with advanced cancer, although its impact on the patient is frequently under-estimated. In advanced cancer, the aim of effective management is to minimize the patient's perception of breathlessness which, in turn, depends on reliable assessment. Most of the knowledge and experience of dyspnoea has been acquired through working with patients with chronic pulmonary disease and there is a dearth of literature relating specifically to the assessment of dyspnoea in advanced cancer. ⋯ Dyspnoea is a complex, multidimensional sensation and its subjectivity makes it difficult to quantify. For patients with advanced cancer, dyspnoea may be one of many symptoms and measurement instruments need to take this into account. No single measurement instrument takes into account the different components of dyspnoea and as the final choice will depend on the purpose of assessment, it is likely that more than one instrument will be required.