The Nursing clinics of North America
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In summary, bacterial vaginosis infections are very common, easy to diagnose, and usually quite simple to treat. Rarely are symptoms dramatic, and often the woman is unaware of the presence of this infection. Partners should be treated, and thorough health education should be provided to both patient and partner. ⋯ Currently metronidazole is the drug of choice, except in pregnant women. Possible serious problems may result from untreated bacterial vaginosis infections; therefore, routine treatment to resolve this infection is recommended. Preventative measures should always be reviewed with each patient and regular check-ups are recommended, especially for sexually active individuals.
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Nurs. Clin. North Am. · Dec 1988
ReviewSupporting the deliverers of care: strategies to support nurses and prevent burnout.
AIDS, with the number of cases and death toll increasing every day, puts caregivers at great risk for burnout. In order to prevent the detrimental consequences of burnout and to meet the challenge of this catastrophic illness, strategies need to be implemented. This overview not only explores the sources of stress related to AIDS but also presents strategies for the prevention of burnout. It is the author's belief that through solidarity caregivers will be better equipped to overcome the stress of caring for people with AIDS without experiencing burnout in the process.
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Nurses are morally obligated to give quality nursing care to all HIV-infected individuals that respects their dignity as individuals without regard to their differences in values and lifestyle, the nature of their illness, or their own contribution to infection. This obligation is defended by the principle of beneficence which asserts that nurses should act in ways that prevent harm, remove harm, and promote good to others. Minimal personal risk is inherent in the practice of nursing and is a burden all nurses must bear. ⋯ The principle of confidentiality is founded in the patient's right to privacy and the preservation of the nurse-patient relationship. Because HIV-infected individuals may receive great harm from the inadvertent and unwarranted disclosure of sensitive, personal information, nurses need to carefully apply the principle of confidentiality and ethical guidelines to their practice of nursing and to take an active role in the protection of patient confidentiality in all health care systems. Although violation of the principle of confidentiality may be justified when the rights or interests of a third party come into conflict with the duty of confidentiality, the complex issues surrounding HIV infection may make such an argument more difficult to defend, especially in regard to the disclosure of the risk of HIV transmission to sex partners without the permission of the HIV-infected individual.