Journal of advanced nursing
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Review
Relieving existential suffering through palliative sedation: discussion of an uneasy practice.
This article presents a discussion of the use of palliative sedation in response to intractable (not responsive to treatment) existential suffering. ⋯ Given the confusion and uncertainty about ethical and clinical justifications for palliative sedation in treating existential suffering, we argue that a better understanding of the controversies and decision-making process is needed. Greater understanding is required to prevent palliative sedation from becoming a substitute for intensive treatment of this kind of suffering.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effectiveness of heparin solution versus normal saline in maintaining patency of intravenous locks in neonates: a double blind randomized controlled study.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of heparin versus saline as flush solution for maintaining patency in peripheral intravenous locks in neonates and to investigate whether other variables influence the longevity of intravenous locks. ⋯ As no difference in patency could be established, using saline as a flush solution is preferable to heparin in peripheral intravenous locks in neonates, given the greater likelihood of complications associated with heparin. Although these data are more than 5 years old, the relevance of the outcome is still important for the clinical practice because of the potential adverse effects of heparin in these vulnerable infants.
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This discussion paper reports development of a model to advance nursing science and practice in trauma care based on an analysis of the literature and expert opinion. ⋯ Planning and integrating care across the trauma continuum and recognition of the role of the injured person's background, family and resources will lead to improved long-term outcomes.
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To examine variations in nurses' perceptions of their work environments among hospitals and intensive care units, and to compare analytic findings from using subscales and a composite measure of the Revised Nursing Work Index at the hospital and intensive care unit levels. ⋯ Heterogeneity of the subscales and the composite measure, and the differences among intensive care units within hospitals imply that use of different analytic approaches may reveal different findings and perspectives of nurse work environments.
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Development and psychometric testing of an instrument to assess venous leg ulcer lifestyle knowledge. ⋯ An instrument with an acceptable content validity and construct validity was developed. The instrument can be applied in nursing education, nursing practice and nursing research to evaluate venous leg ulcer advice knowledge.