{"title":"Providing spiritual care at the end of life: nurses' roles and perspectives.","authors":"Enrico De Luca, Lindsay Jane de Wal","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12535","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2025.e12535","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Identifying and meeting patients' spiritual needs is integral to nursing in end of life care. However, spirituality, spiritual care and assessment models are still not fully embedded across the UK. While nurses often collaborate with chaplains or other spiritual care professionals to support patients, ambiguity and misunderstanding between spirituality and religion can cause challenges in delivering effective, person-centred care. This article explores the role of spirituality in nursing practice and introduces structured reflections and practical tools to support spiritual care in end of life settings. It discusses the potential of the horizontal transcendence model as an existential and relational approach to exploring meaning, identity and connection at the end of life. Nurses can use this model to help patients and their families navigate spiritual needs in diverse and inclusive ways. By offering reflective prompts and an accessible, practice-oriented framework, the authors invite nurses to engage with their own understanding of spirituality and integrate this awareness into the provision of compassionate holistic care.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144732428","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":"Constipation in adults: undertaking a holistic nursing assessment.","authors":"Aby Mitchell","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12542","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2025.e12542","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Constipation results in infrequent or hard stools and pain during bowel movements and is a widespread issue across all age groups, but particularly among hospitalised older adults. Undertaking a holistic assessment of constipation in adults is essential to enable the nurse to identify any underlying causes, prevent complications and ensure effective management. Early recognition of constipation reduces the risk of faecal impaction, discomfort and associated conditions, which can affect patients' well-being and quality of life. This article describes the pathophysiology of constipation, the diagnostic criteria that assist in confirming the presence of functional constipation and the different types and potential underlying causes of constipation. The author details the various elements that should be incorporated in a comprehensive, holistic nursing assessment of constipation, which may include a medication review, laboratory investigations and evaluation of the patient's well-being, quality of life, activity levels and diet.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144675377","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":"https://doi.org/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":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-18","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}
Penny Tremayne, Catherine Arden, Sophie Hibberd, Elinor Howcroft, Sarah Kearney, Helen Layton
{"title":"Implementing female external catheters in practice and educating students on their use.","authors":"Penny Tremayne, Catherine Arden, Sophie Hibberd, Elinor Howcroft, Sarah Kearney, Helen Layton","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12489","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2025.e12489","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Urethral catheterisation is an invasive procedure that carries a high risk of complications, notably catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Until recently, there were few alternatives to indwelling urinary catheters other than continence pads, but recent advances have included the development of female external catheters (FECs). FECs are external devices placed between the labial folds that collect urine and divert it away from the body using suction. This article provides an overview of the use of FECs for managing urinary incontinence in people with female anatomy. Additionally, it describes how education on FEC use was introduced in the undergraduate nursing curriculum at one university in England.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144626795","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":"Unpacking 'ultra-processed' foods: what nurses need to know.","authors":"Beverley O'Hara, Jordan Beaumont","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12526","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2025.e12526","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>'Ultra-processed' foods (UPFs) have received increasing attention in recent years, with concerns around the potential link between high intake of UPFs and adverse health outcomes. However, there is a lack of clear evidence supporting this link, and the current narrative around UPFs may lead to confusion about healthy eating. Since nurses are frequently perceived as trusted healthcare professionals and have a role in supporting healthy eating in clinical and community settings, it is important that they have an up-to-date understanding of the guidance on diet and the consumption of UPFs. This article presents an overview of the latest evidence on UPFs and provides nurses with practical approaches they can use to discuss diet and healthy eating with patients, while also reflecting on their own dietary intake.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144575953","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":"Use of tirzepatide (Mounjaro) in type 2 diabetes management: an overview.","authors":"Claire Davies","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12464","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12464","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diabetes mellitus is an increasingly common long-term metabolic disease. There are many treatment options available to manage type 2 diabetes and reduce the risk of associated long-term microvascular and macrovascular complications. The management of type 2 diabetes initially focuses on lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and increased physical activity levels, with pharmacological intervention used as an adjunct where necessary. Tirzepatide, sold under the brand name Mounjaro, is the latest pharmacological therapy to be developed for this condition. This article discusses the place of tirzepatide therapy as part of the management of type 2 diabetes. It explains the mechanism of action of this medicine, its administration and dosing, the potential side effects, and its cautions and contraindications.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"47-53"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144094403","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":"Strategies for supporting neurodivergent nursing students in practice placements.","authors":"Kenneth Robert Ripley","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12460","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12460","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neurodivergent conditions include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia. An increasing number of people with these conditions are entering higher education. Neurodivergent nursing students may experience increased challenges during their practice placements and require reasonable adjustments to be made. Despite the best intentions of staff, these students' placement experiences and outcomes can be adversely affected, and without appropriate support they may become less likely to engage with some learning opportunities. Additionally, staff may not always have a clear understanding of these students' needs or confidence in meeting them. This article provides an overview of some of the challenges that neurodivergent nursing students may experience during their placements, and outlines some potential strategies that staff supporting them can use.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"61-66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144199748","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 administer oral medicines safely in health and social care settings.","authors":"Megan O'Connor","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12384","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12384","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Rationale and key points: </strong>The safe administration of oral medicines is a fundamental aspect of healthcare practice and is essential for optimising patient outcomes and preventing adverse events. This article outlines a step-by-step procedure that nurses can follow to ensure patients receive oral medicines correctly and safely, without causing harm. • Oral medicines include tablets, capsules or liquid preparations. • When administering oral medicines, it is important to consult the patient's prescription chart or medication administration record and to use the '6 Rs' of medicines administration as a guide. • Oral medicines should not be blindly crushed or spilt because this can affect the absorption rate and dose, and may lead to adverse effects such as gastrointestinal irritation. 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 administering oral medicines. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or enable colleagues to reflect on their own practice in safely administering oral medicines.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"55-59"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143983542","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":"Type 2 diabetes and the role of nurses in its management.","authors":"Sarah Butler","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12429","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12429","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Type 2 diabetes has become a significant global public health issue. Its increasing prevalence is closely linked to sedentary lifestyles, suboptimal diets and high obesity levels. This article provides an overview of type 2 diabetes epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic tests, risk factors, complications and management. It also describes the role of nurses, which involves: advising patients on weight management, diet, physical activity, smoking cessation and alcohol reduction; encouraging adherence to care plans and drug treatment regimens; and providing ongoing support, education and monitoring to prevent or delay the onset of complications.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"41-46"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144022121","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 administer an enema in adults.","authors":"Fiona Knights","doi":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12479","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2025.e12479","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Rationale and key points: </strong>Administration of an enema is a common procedure undertaken in healthcare settings and, if undertaken appropriately, is deemed a relatively low-risk and safe intervention. An enema may be prescribed for therapeutic purposes, to administer medicines or for diagnostic purposes. The most common reason for administration of an enema is to relieve severe acute or chronic constipation. This article details the preparation and procedure required for safe administration of an enema in adults and considers the associated indications, contraindications and potential complications. • An enema involves the introduction of a substance in liquid form into the rectum and is a prescription-only medicine. • There are three main types of enemas commonly used in nursing practice: retention, evacuant and softener enemas. • Administration of an enema is invasive and highly personal, and nurses undertaking this procedure must have the knowledge and skills required to do so safely and work within their level of competence. 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 administering an enema. • How you could use this information to educate nursing students or colleagues about indications for, and the appropriate method for, administering an enema.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"68-73"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144015132","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}