Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
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Evaluation of pulmonary function is essential for the diagnosis and management of respiratory disease and other conditions. Various tests are available. Some, such as spirometry and pulse oximetry, are widely used in a variety of healthcare settings; others, such as those that measure diffusing capacity and static lung volumes, are performed in specialist pulmonary function laboratories. This article examines some of the pulmonary function tests available.
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The hospital environment with its schedules, tests and procedures can adversely affect a patient's nutritional intake. Malnutrition has many negative repercussions not only for patients but also for the health service. Nurses have a key role in assessing patients' nutritional status and needs, providing a comfortable environment for eating and assistance at mealtimes.
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Needlestick and sharps injuries carry the risk of infection and are an occupational hazard for all healthcare professionals involved in clinical care. This article provides an overview of the risks associated with needlestick and sharps injuries and highlights prevention and management strategies to protect healthcare professions.
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Review Case Reports
Isolation precautions to prevent the spread of contagious diseases.
This article explores the use of isolation precautions to prevent the spread of infection. The standard infection control precautions, which should be undertaken routinely with all patients, and the additional measures which should be adopted when a patient has a specific infection, are discussed. The use of single room accommodation for patients with infections is debated.
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This article discusses the assessment, management and treatment of patients with stab wounds on arrival in the emergency department. It describes the immediate approach to assessment. The assessment of stab wounds to the chest, abdomen and limbs is also examined.