Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
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This article explores the role of the district nurse in supporting family and friends who act as informal carers for patients who wish to die at home. The district nurse can support carers by promoting patient comfort, assessing carer needs, using communication and counselling skills, providing timely information, planning for anticipated needs, and co-ordinating and liaising with appropriate services and professionals. ⋯ The Gold Standards Framework and Liverpool Care Pathway for the Dying Patient are discussed as a means of guiding healthcare professionals to optimise palliative care for patients and carers. The author suggests that the principles discussed are equally applicable to any nurse who cares for dying patients and their families.
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Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a serious and complex condition. Despite technological advances in treatment, it is associated with a high mortality rate, and the cost to the NHS of treating patients with ARDS is substantial. The condition also presents nurses with many challenges. This article explores the different treatment options available for patients with ARDS, focusing on prone positioning.
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Venous thrombolembolism, although largely preventable, continues to be a major cause of death in hospitalised patients. The anticoagulant drugs used to prevent and treat this condition require careful and knowlegeable management. Nurses working in acute and community settings have an important role in this process.
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This article looks at the value of cystatin C in assessing renal function in older people. While it appears to be reliable and accurate, it is still relatively untested in most clinical settings and there is much to learn before its value in the day-to-day assessment of renal function can be determined.