Rehabil Nurs
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Severe and disabling spasticity frequently occurs in people with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury. Approximately 30% of these people are treated with oral antispasmodic medications that do not provide adequate relief from spasticity (Hattab, 1980). ⋯ Significant reduction in muscle tone and frequency of spasms have contributed to improved function with activities of daily living, bladder management, overall comfort, and quality of sleep (Penn et al., 1989; Parke, Penn, Savoy, & Corcos, 1989). This article introduces an innovative therapy for controlling spasticity and discusses the nurse's role in patient selection and management.
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This article, drawing on data from 17 case studies, addresses problems in documentation of discharge planning in an Australian multidisciplinary rehabilitation center and the ways these were, or could be, overcome. The problems identified in the case studies were not specific to one discipline; they were due to inadequately defined guidelines and responsibility and poorly designed forms, and they possibly reflected the tendency for members of practice-oriented disciplines to see documentation as low on their list of priorities.
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Life-threatening cardiac and respiratory arrests are stressful emergency situations. Nurses may be anxious and unsure of what needs to be done if their roles are not clearly defined. This article describes a system one rehabilitation hospital uses when responding to arrests, reviews the steps in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and presents an algorithm of a cardiopulmonary arrest.
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This article identifies practical application of behavior management for the agitated head-injured client (Rancho levels III-V). In addition to the suggestions offered in the article, family counseling and education modalities can be used to meet the unique needs of the agitated head-injured individual.