The Nursing clinics of North America
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Central nervous system infections have the potential to be very dangerous and life-threatening. Advances in the understanding and care of patients experiencing these infections have aided in their detection and treatment. Caring for these patients requires a thorough knowledge of the diseases as well as a holistic approach which encompasses the patient and family.
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Nurs. Clin. North Am. · Sep 1998
ReviewDelirium in the hospitalized elderly: nursing assessment and management.
Delirium is a serious health problem with significant negative consequences which is experienced by many hospitalized elderly patients. Because of its clinical impact and potential reversibility, prompt treatment of delirium is essential. Therefore an understanding of delirium, its manifestations, methods of detection, prevention, and treatment in hospitalized elderly patients is needed. This article provides an overview of the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas of delirium.
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In their clinical practice, nurses are confronted continuously with ethical issues. There is a growing concern about the capacity of nurses to perform ethically. ⋯ Problems as well as determinants related to nurses' ethical decision-making, are described. Based on the research in this area, some strategies to support ethical decision-making by nurses are proposed.
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Nurses in primary care, maternal child health, and community health practice settings are in a unique position to intervene with clients who are prenatal crack cocaine users. Clinical assessment is considered in both the context of the pregnancy and the crack cocaine use. A synthesis model of intervention related to both the pregnancy and the drug use are outlined to support a healthy baby and a healthy recovery.
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Current knowledge about the use of options for the management of patient pain opposes conventional practice, which is guided by misunderstandings and personal attitudes and beliefs. An understanding of substance abuse and the behavior and needs of the person with substance dependence are important elements in a nurse's knowledge base. ⋯ Effective pain management education needs to be comprehensive and should include not only updated information, but also explore origins of beliefs about pain and substance abuse and how these beliefs affect current practice. This article discusses the common myths that often guide nurses' management of patient pain and offers strategies for care that are based on current understandings.