J Psychosoc Nurs Men
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J Psychosoc Nurs Men · Dec 2012
ReviewFuture prospects for pharmacogenetics in the quest for personalized medicine.
Understanding pharmacogenetic differences in drug response and tolerability has been an important area of research in personalized medicine, but the clinical utility of pharmacogenetics testing has not been established. Identification of genetic polymorphisms due to single nucleotide polymorphisms is the most common approach, but this does not take into account the potential relevance of copy number variants, noncoding RNA gene regulation, gene-gene and gene-interactions, and epigenetic modifications, which increase the complexity of pharmacogenomics research.
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J Psychosoc Nurs Men · Nov 2012
Case ReportsAnesthesia awareness-induced posttraumatic stress disorder.
While the incidence of anesthesia awareness has been well documented, information related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms resulting from anesthesia awareness is limited. Particularly scarce are descriptions of specific techniques to treat anesthesia awareness-induced PTSD. ⋯ Treatment included supportive psychotherapy, psychoeducation, psychopharmacology, and group therapy with other individuals experiencing PTSD symptoms. Although this patient responded to these treatment approaches, additional studies are needed to identify optimal treatment options for patients with anesthesia awareness-induced PTSD.
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Prescribing medications for off-label uses is not illegal. Off-label prescribing includes using medications for unapproved indications; using a drug outside of the recommended dosage range or duration of use; using a drug in certain unapproved patient populations, such as those defined by age, sex, or particular clinical parameters; or intentionally using a medication in a patient who has a known contraindication. ⋯ The decision to use a drug off label should be based on a careful assessment of the patient's treatment history and the drug's potential risks and benefits. Patients should be given adequate informed consent about how the drug is being used off label and why, along with appropriate information about known risks and side effects.
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J Psychosoc Nurs Men · Aug 2012
Case ReportsRisky recreation: synthetic cannabinoids have dangerous effects.
Use of synthetic marijuana (also known as spice, K2, aroma, and eclipse) is often viewed by young people as harmless recreation. Until recently, the substance was freely available in U. ⋯ Synthetic cannabinoids are not currently detectable via standard toxicology tests. Recognition and management of synthetic cannabinoid use are discussed.
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Older adults with multiple pre-existing conditions are admitted to hospitals with acute illnesses and injuries every day. Delirium is not recognized by clinicians across health care settings. With awareness of risk factors and knowledge of delirium, nurses can play a pivotal role in the early identification, treatment, and, most important, prevention of delirium in older adults. ⋯ Nurses play a crucial role in keeping patients safe and ensuring optimal outcomes, regardless of the setting. With the growing population of older adults and the expected increases in chronic illness and dementia, delirium is a problem nurses are likely to experience in all practice settings. Knowing what to look for facilitates recognizing the risk and acting early to minimize (or even prevent) delirium.