Revista de enfermería (Barcelona, Spain)
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Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation consists of the integration of treatment for cardiorespiratory arrest as a set of standardized steps, whose objective is to first substitute, and later restore, spontaneous respiration and circulation. This calls for a sequential development; this implies that there are not a series of actions which for prematureness influences their order, but these should be applied sequentially at the right time. There are different criteria among the recommendations by the ERC (European Resuscitation Council) and the AHA (American Heart Association). ⋯ There are also agreements on the incorporation of some terms so we will more frequently read the term Basic Vital Support instead of Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or Advanced Vital Support instead of Advanced Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. This article is the first of a series of four articles on cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. The remaining articles will appear in later editions of our magazine.
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Analgesia during childbirth is a right which should be at the disposal of every woman who desires it. Adequate pain control may reduce maternal anxiety and thus help make childbirth become a more satisfactory procedure. The parenteral administration of meperidine and epidural anesthesia are the most utilized types of obstetrical analgesia. ⋯ Meperidine is very easy to administer; however, meperidine affects the degree of maternal consciousness and produces neonatal depression. On the other hand, epidural anesthesia has stronger analgesic power and does not interfere in the maternal-child relationship; however, it increases the risk of difficulties during childbirth. These secondary effects are the counterweights to consider when deciding whether or not to administer analgesia and if so, which kind.
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This article reflects about death and the processes which lead to the end of one's life. The author aspires to transmit the importance of grief as another aspect included in treatment where nurses, together with other professionals, may aid the family and the patient to affront the loss of loved ones and to avoid future side-effects. The so-called "disfunctional grief" derived from non-concluded affairs or non-expressed emotions are highlighted in this article.