Orthopaedic nursing
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The prevalence of heel pressure ulcers is a major health care problem. Heel ulcers develop as a result of pressure, shear, or friction concentrated on a small area over a bony prominence that lacks subcutaneous tissue. ⋯ It is important for nurses to identify patients at risk for heel pressure ulcers and to initiate appropriate preventive interventions. This article discusses the etiology of heel pressure ulcers, risk factors, heel assessment, and choice of heel protection devices.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) in relieving postoperative pain for children and adolescents following spinal fusion. ⋯ The use of high technology and aggressive pharmacologic treatment alone may not be adequate for managing severe pain following spinal fusion. As proposed by the Gate Control Theory, pain stimuli produce not only physiologic, but also psychologic and emotional responses. Relief for severe pain, therefore, may require multidimensional therapies that include nonpharmacologic approaches together with precise titration of available pharmacologic agents.
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Imagine a parent innocently swinging around a toddler ... a yank on an outstretched arm to keep a preschooler from falling ... a caregiver attempting to move a reluctant child by dragging the child by the hand ... a helping hand to lift a young child up over the curb or a high step. None of these activities is ever intended to hurt a child, yet the result of these specific activities send many children with anxious parents and caregivers to emergency departments and unscheduled pediatrician appointments each year. Nursemaid's elbow, also known as a pulled elbow or a subluxated radial head, may result from the specific activities described above and is the most common dislocation injury handled by pediatricians. Most commonly occurring in the 1-year to 4-year old age group, nursemaid's elbow is easily treated and generally has no long-term sequelae.
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To identify factors associated with the occurrence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and to identify the effectiveness of independent and interdependent nursing interventions for the prevention and management of postoperative nausea and vomiting. ⋯ Further research is needed to better describe the present practice patterns in the treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting, including a comparison of inpatient and outpatient settings. The relative effectiveness of specific nursing interventions should be measured, such as i.v. fluids, deep breathing, and antiemetic use. In addition, the evaluation of the effectiveness of the use of a research protocol would be useful.
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Orthopaedic nursing · Sep 1999
ReviewThe Jehovah's Witness orthopaedic trauma patient: an ethical challenge.
Members of the Jehovah's Witness faith believe that they are biblically prohibited from accepting blood transfusions even in cases of severe anemia that could lead to death. The refusal to accept blood is an ethical challenge for the health care team when managing an unstable Witness patient. ⋯ It is important that the health care team is proactive in becoming educated on the principles of the Jehovah's Witness faith and how to manage the patient without the administration of blood and blood products. The health care team is also encouraged to network with resources to provide support for the patient and family.