The Journal of neuroscience nursing : journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses
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The epidural route of administration can be used safely for acute and chronic pain control. Although most frequently used in the obstetrical setting, the epidural route has been used more recently for pain control in general surgical and oncology patients. Nursing policies, physician order sets and nursing documentation provide a consistent approach to patients receiving epidural analgesia. Continuous quality improvement helps to assure patient satisfaction and program quality.
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Study of a number of routine nursing care activities has suggested a relationship between activities and intracranial pressure (ICP). The purpose of this study was to focus on the relationship between nursing care activities and variations in ICP. A case study method was used to study ICP in five brain-injured patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 4 or more. ⋯ During the bathing procedures only two baths elicited an ICP greater than 20 mm Hg. All other bathing procedures elicited minimal increases in ICP. These findings further support the need for nurses to be aware of the patient's ICP prior to turning and suctioning.
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Though scientific knowledge is presumed to be true, misconduct in generation and reporting of research has occurred. Causes of scientific misconduct may be personal, such as excessive ambition, or organizational, such as withholding negative results about a product for economic gain. ⋯ Nurses must conduct scientific endeavors and practice the science of nursing with integrity. Maintaining integrity is essential for the advancement of nursing as a science, and therefore, ongoing improvement in nursing care.