Medsurg nursing : official journal of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
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While some authors believe that testing for glucose in suctioned tracheal secretions can be used to detect aspiration of glucose-containing formula, others disagree. Previous evaluative studies of the glucose method's efficacy have lacked adequate statistical power and a gold standard for aspiration. In this animal study, a gold standard for aspiration was used and possessed sufficient statistical power to address the glucose method's sensitivity and specificity. As such, the results from the study provide the clinician with useful data to decide if the glucose method is appropriate for use in clinical settings.
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The importance of pain assessment and the available measurement tools for elders with dementia are reviewed. The authors recommend measuring chronic pain during active movement, and looking at inactivity, changes of motor patterns, and disruptive behaviors as indicators of pain. They also suggest querying elders about their pain even if they suffer from dementia.
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The Geriatric Resource Nurse Model is used at the University of Virginia to improve the competency of staff in caring for older adults. Eight self-learning educational modules were developed to address common concerns in hospitalized elders. The Pain: Geriatric Self-Learning Module to published here, along with a post-test. This is the second in a four-part publication of self-learning modules.