{"title":"Promoting equality in nursing practice: learning from the care of LGBTQ+ people.","authors":"Maurice Nagington","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12298","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2025.e12298","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article explores how nursing ethics can be informed by the experiences and perspectives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning plus (LGBTQ+) people. It discusses research on cancer disparities for LGBTQ+ patients, demonstrating the need for culturally tailored interventions. Research in this area often has a narrow focus on improving care for marginalised groups, rather than considering what dominant healthcare approaches could learn from these groups. Through examining queer theory and areas such as human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) activism, the author advocates for a 'queer ethics of care' that challenges the way traditional healthcare hierarchies manage events such as the recent mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) outbreak.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145233045","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How to identify and categorise a pressure ulcer.","authors":"Gemma Sadler","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12363","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12363","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Rationale and key points: </strong>Pressure ulcers are considered a preventable harm, therefore all patients receiving care from a healthcare professional should be screened for risk of pressure ulcers. This includes undertaking a skin inspection to identify areas at risk of, or with existing, pressure ulcers. This 'How to' article explains how to identify and categorise a pressure ulcer using a validated classification system. Nurses undertaking this procedure must ensure they have the knowledge and skills to do so effectively and work within the limits of their competence. • Pressure ulcers can have significant adverse effects on patients' quality of life, potentially resulting in hospital admission, increased length of hospital stay and increased risk of mortality and are costly for healthcare services. • Undertaking an effective skin inspection requires the nurse to be able to distinguish between a potential pressure ulcer and a different type of skin injury, and to be able to recognise and subsequently categorise a pressure ulcer. • Where a pressure ulcer is identified, accurate categorisation using a validated classification tool is essential to assess the severity of the injury and to inform appropriate prevention and management strategies. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might improve your practice when identifying and categorising a pressure ulcer. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or enable colleagues to reflect on the appropriate procedure for identifying and categorising a pressure ulcer.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"69-74"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144649941","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"How to undertake venepuncture in adults.","authors":"Victoria Hill","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12364","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12364","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Rationale and key points: </strong>Venepuncture in adults is one of the most common procedures performed in nursing care. It enables a blood sample to be obtained for laboratory analysis, thereby facilitating crucial diagnostic and treatment processes. It is essential that venepuncture is undertaken correctly to prevent any misleading blood test results and support the provision of high-quality patient care. • Knowledge of vein anatomy and of the risks and benefits of venepuncture supports safe practice. • The needle should be inserted smoothly into the selected vein at an angle of approximately 15-30 degrees. • Blood sample collection tubes appropriate for the blood tests required must be used and patient details must be checked to avoid incorrect tube labelling and patient misidentification. REFLECTIVE ACTIVITY: 'How to' articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of: • How this article might improve your practice when undertaking venepuncture. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or colleagues about the correct technique when undertaking venepuncture.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"45-51"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144963209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Exploring the use of reflective models to enhance nursing practice.","authors":"Becky Ingham-Broomfield","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12351","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12351","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Reflection enables nurses to learn from their experiences and incorporate that learning into their practice, with the ultimate aim of improving patient care. The use of an appropriate reflective model can assist nurses with self-improvement and personal development, while documenting the reflection process may help to develop their self-awareness. Reflective practice is also an essential component of any nurse's registration and revalidation requirements. In this article the author details the various stages involved in five reflective models to demonstrate the similarities and differences between them, and to enable nurses to select a model that is suitable for them.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"61-67"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144874355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Using medicine safety huddles to prevent the recurrence of medication errors.","authors":"Susanne Pidduck","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12511","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12511","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Medication errors in healthcare are prevalent but also often preventable. Medicine safety huddles bring together any colleagues involved in medicine-related incidents to explore the contributing factors in a safe environment and to identify any learning points. In this way, huddles can identify potential changes to practice and prevent recurrence of medication errors. This article details the introduction of medicine safety huddles at the author's NHS trust, where they were embedded into nursing and pharmacy practice and led to tangible improvements that benefited patient and staff safety.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"53-59"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144963184","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Managing Parkinson's disease: understanding the roles of multidisciplinary team members.","authors":"Minimol Kulakkottu Scaria","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12461","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12461","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Parkinson's disease is a progressive, neurodegenerative condition linked to a decrease in the level of dopamine in the brain. It is characterised by a diverse range of motor and non-motor symptoms that can significantly affect people's ability to function and their quality of life. Pharmacological and surgical therapies alone are not sufficient to manage the condition and a multidisciplinary team approach incorporating various therapies is essential for alleviating symptoms and enhancing quality of life. This article discusses the roles of various members of the multidisciplinary team - including specialist nurses - in offering effective, comprehensive and holistic support to people with Parkinson's disease and their families and carers.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"39-44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144963240","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bacterial endocarditis: an overview of the pathophysiology, symptoms and treatment.","authors":"Brendan Greaney","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12558","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2025.e12558","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Infective endocarditis is a serious and potentially life-threatening cardiac infection which affects the endocardial (inner) layer of the heart and primarily involves the heart valves. It is most often caused by a bacterial infection, with Gram-positive streptococci, staphylococci and enterococci being the most common pathogens. Where the condition is known to have been caused by bacteria, it is referred to as bacterial endocarditis. While it is still a relatively rare condition, the numbers of infective endocarditis cases and associated mortality have increased over the past 30 years, making it a global public health concern. This article provides an overview of the anatomy and pathophysiology, epidemiology, aetiology, diagnostic criteria, clinical presentation, treatment and management of bacterial endocarditis. The article focuses on bacterial endocarditis but uses the term infective endocarditis when discussing the condition in general.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145186487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Optimising health outcomes in exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.","authors":"Grace Crolly-Burton, Oonagh McCloy, Maggie Bennett, Stephanie Craig","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12547","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2025.e12547","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The management of chronic conditions requires a careful approach to optimise patients' health outcomes. Exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can have debilitating physical effects on patients, negatively affecting their quality of life and causing or worsening psychological distress. Many risk factors that lead to COPD exacerbations are modifiable, and proactive management can prevent their recurrence. Informed by research and clinical guidelines, this article explains how to optimise patients' long-term health outcomes, enhance symptom management and reduce hospital readmissions. It also discusses the importance of a comprehensive nursing assessment, multidisciplinary team input, self-management strategies and patient education. The article uses a case study to explore the hospital-based management of a patient experiencing a COPD exacerbation.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145114008","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Promoting the use of advance care planning in people from minority ethnic backgrounds.","authors":"Rekha Vijayshankar","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12470","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2025.e12470","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Advance care planning supports decision-making autonomy for patients at the end of life. However, research has shown that the uptake of advance care planning is often low among people from minority ethnic backgrounds. This article explores the systemic and intracultural barriers experienced by people from minority ethnic backgrounds when planning care at the end of life. The author also offers a conceptual framework to support greater equity and access to advance care planning in these populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145065430","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Understanding the diagnosis, symptoms and treatment of rare bleeding disorders.","authors":"Stacey McGeown, Amy Owen-Wyard","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12465","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2025.e12465","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bleeding disorders are rare congenital conditions where a person's blood does not clot correctly. The most common of these disorders is von Willebrand disease and the most well-known is haemophilia. However, less is known about rare bleeding disorders (RBDs), which collectively comprise a significant proportion of all bleeding disorders. Nurses across all fields and specialties may encounter and care for patients with RBDs. This article provides an overview of these disorders including the different types, diagnosis and treatment. It also discusses the psychosocial challenges and treatment obstacles that individuals with these conditions and their families may experience.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145015999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}