Nursing times
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Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias encountered in the adult population. It can be an isolated event or a chronic lifelong rhythm disturbance. The common causes of AF and the presenting electrocardiogram characteristics are outlined. The risks to the patient in AF, the role of the nurse, and treatment options are also discussed.
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In 1998 the World Health Organization declared childhood obesity a 'global epidemic' (WHO, 1998). The Department of Health has identified that prevention must be aimed at children to address its rise in future generations (DoH, 2002). Childhood obesity is recognised as a predictor of adolescent and adult obesity (Smith, 2002; Parsons et al, 1999; Whitaker et al, 1997). Without intervention to prevent the growing trend of childhood obesity there is a risk of increasing economic cost and human suffering in future generations (Laing, 2002).
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Despite major advances in the management of pain since the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Anaesthetists announced in 1990 that postoperative pain management in British hospitals was inadequate, pain continues to be an unacceptable but common sequel to surgery (Wood, 2002). Pain assessment is simple, but unfortunately it is infrequently performed. When clinicians do not obtain pain ratings from patients they are unlikely to underestimate the patients' pain. Improving pain management requires that pain is recognised as a priority and that nurses are encouraged to play an active and pivotal role within the multidisciplinary team to recognise, prevent and treat it.