The Nursing clinics of North America
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The continuing evolution of the highly specialized, technologic manner in which we provide care in critical care units has potentially hazardous effects on the physical and psychological well-being of patients and family members. Although the ICU environment possesses characteristics that make patients and families prone to undesirable sequelae, critical care nurses can employ creative strategies to minimize the impact of bedside technology that is so important for the survival and recovery of the critically ill patient. Strategies to reduce the psychological impact of the ICU environment begin with a psychosocial assessment of the meaning patients and families attach to bedside technology. ⋯ Managing the environment is essential to reduce the physical impact of the ICU environment. Nurses can manipulate the use of equipment to reduce crowding and noise at the bedside, foster familiar activities to stimulate the patient's other senses, and facilitate sleep patterns by structuring nursing activities and providing comfort measures. These nursing interventions will reduce the effects of sensory overload/deprivation and sleep deprivation and, it is hoped, prevent ICU psychosis.
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This article reviews research related to assessment and interventions for cognitive impairment conducted by nurses as principal and coinvestigators. It focuses on the broad areas of delirium and dementia, which are divided into assessment and intervention-related research. The intervention research begins with descriptive studies and has subdivisions for primary and secondary symptoms. Ideas for future research follow.
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Nurs. Clin. North Am. · Jun 1993
Case ReportsPhysical and psychosocial nursing care for patients with HIV infection.
As suggested earlier we have chosen in this article to discuss only a small group of key physical and psychosocial concerns and needs associated with HIV and AIDS. These were the issues most frequently discussed by a study group of people living with HIV. We recognize, however, that holistic nursing intervention considers the totality of the individual living with HIV: body, mind, and spirit. ⋯ Studies exploring prevention issues and symptom management also are most important. Some suggestions for future study include examination of cultural variables associated with coping with HIV and AIDS; longitudinal research on surviving HIV over time; intervention studies to test specific nursing therapeutics in various settings such as hospital, home, and clinic; and finally, research describing the impact of HIV and AIDS on family functioning and adaptation. It is only through continued study of the impact of HIV, on both the individual living with HIV, and his or her significant others, that we will expand nursing knowledge and strengthen nursing care for those impacted with this fearsome and life-threatening condition.