{"title":"Analysing arterial blood gas results using the RoMe technique.","authors":"Marlon Bernardo","doi":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12193","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12193","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis is a fundamental skill in healthcare practice, particularly when caring for acutely unwell or deteriorating patients. It can be useful in the assessment of patients' acid-base balance and gas exchange, thereby informing appropriate care and management. However, many nurses find interpreting ABG results challenging. This article outlines a simplified approach to ABG analysis using three main values - pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate - and applying the RoMe ('Respiratory opposite, Metabolic equal') technique. It also provides brief descriptions of selected acid-base imbalances and explains how to identify whether these are uncompensated, partially compensated or fully compensated.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"40-43"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-03-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139681251","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":"Diagnosing, assessing and managing cellulitis.","authors":"Heather Newton","doi":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12187","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12187","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection that affects the deep dermis and surrounding subcutaneous tissue. Although it is a common condition, it is often misdiagnosed because it can mimic a range of conditions that also cause inflamed, red, irritated and painful skin. Such misdiagnoses may lead to unnecessary hospital admissions and antibiotic overuse, with most alternative diagnoses being non-infectious. Undertaking a holistic patient assessment, skin assessment and thorough clinical history is important in the diagnosis of cellulitis, and it is vital to use a collaborative multidisciplinary approach in its acute management and to prevent recurrence. This article defines the term cellulitis and explores its presenting features. The author also discusses the associated risk factors, clinical assessment techniques and effective management strategies, as well as outlining the actions that nurses can take to prevent recurrence.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"39-44"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138478228","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 communication skills that support nurses to provide person-centred care.","authors":"Julie Gregory","doi":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12132","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12132","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Communication is a process of sharing information and developing relationships through interaction. It is essential for nursing care, providing a basis for nurses to establish therapeutic relationships and trust with patients and their families. It is often assumed that nurses can intuitively communicate well; as a result, traditionally there has been a lack of formal training in this area. However, communication is a skill that can be developed and enhanced. This article explains the elements of communication and discusses the skills required by nurses to communicate effectively and provide compassionate, person-centred care. The author outlines two communication models to demonstrate how nurses can use these skills to deliver bad news and support people in distress.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"61-66"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139074740","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":"Preventing and recognising skin tears using a standardised approach.","authors":"Joanna Blackburn, Karen Ousey","doi":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12066","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12066","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Skin tears, defined as traumatic wounds caused by mechanical forces, can be debilitating for individuals, causing pain and reduced mobility. Although skin tears can develop throughout the lifespan, older age can make the skin increasingly susceptible to this type of injury. Studies have found wide variation in the incidence and prevalence of skin tears, in part because of suboptimal recognition and reporting practices among healthcare professionals. Effective prevention of skin tears requires a standardised approach to risk assessment, prevention, recognition and classification, such as that offered by the International Skin Tear Advisory Panel (ISTAP) best practice recommendations. This article examines the literature on the incidence, prevalence, prevention and recognition of skin tears, and outlines some of the ISTAP best practice recommendations on risk assessment, prevention and recognition. The authors also consider the need for patient and healthcare professional education to optimise the prevention of skin tears.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"45-49"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89719045","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":"Enhancing gender equality for women using person-centred care and cultural curiosity.","authors":"Jadzia Moss, Stuart Roberts","doi":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12221","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2024.e12221","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Socially constructed gender norms influence people's access to, and experience of, healthcare. Gender norms can negatively affect the health of women, men and people with other gender identities, such as transgender or non-binary individuals. Person-centred care and shared decision-making, which are widely recognised as essential aspects of healthcare, could be effective approaches for enhancing gender equality in healthcare for women. However, many women appear to receive suboptimal person-centred care. Additionally, there is a lack of representation of diverse gender identities in research, as well as a lack of awareness of diverse gender identities among nurses and other healthcare professionals. To enhance gender equality in healthcare for women, nurses and nursing students should be encouraged to reflect on their unconscious biases and adopt a stance of cultural curiosity, while organisations need to improve preregistration and post-registration training on equality and diversity.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"71-75"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139570978","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":"Providing effective care and support for autistic adults with mental health issues.","authors":"Christopher Francis Barber","doi":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12042","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that is characterised by features such as persistent differences in social interaction and communication, specialised interests and sensory processing issues. It has been identified that autistic people are increasingly likely to experience various mental health issues, and often encounter challenges in accessing appropriate healthcare and a lack of understanding from healthcare professionals. This article explores the co-occurrence of autism and mental health issues in adults, and explains the role of nurses in providing care and support for this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"60-65"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138794965","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":"Undertaking a neurological assessment.","authors":"Chris Carter, Joy Notter","doi":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12173","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12173","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neurological observations are an essential aspect of assessment in patients with altered mental status and require the nurse to collect and analyse information using a validated assessment tool. Assessing a patient's pupil size and response is also an important element of a neurological assessment. This article summarises the pathophysiology of raised intracranial pressure and lists some of the conditions that may contribute to an alteration in a patient's mental status. The article details the use of two commonly used neurological assessment tools and the assessment of a patient's pupil size and response. The author also considers the challenges related to accurate recording of neurological observations.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"45-50"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71484266","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":"Psychologically informed care of patients with anorexia nervosa on an acute medical ward.","authors":"Francesca Purvis, Jasmine Snowden","doi":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12199","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12199","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Anorexia nervosa is a challenging and highly distressing illness associated with significant and often debilitating symptoms that affect the person's physical and mental well-being, as well as their wider social networks. Although some patients can make important steps in their recovery in the community, many will become significantly unwell and require medical stabilisation and refeeding in an acute medical ward as a result of significant weight loss. This article describes some of the challenges experienced by adult nurses when caring for patients with anorexia nervosa on acute medical wards and explores how the patient's distress may manifest and complicate the recovery process. The article also discusses the principles of psychologically informed care and therapeutic interactions that nurses can use to promote recovery and ensure optimal practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"38-43"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139049082","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":"Recognising and managing migraine.","authors":"Lauren Elizabeth Palk","doi":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12059","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12059","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Migraine is a common neurological disorder characterised by a severe, pulsating headache, sometimes accompanied with photophobia or phonophobia and nausea and/or vomiting. The symptoms of migraine can have a significant adverse effect on a person's ability to undertake normal activities. Nurses have an important role in assisting patients in identifying migraine triggers and in supporting them to manage the symptoms of migraines through lifestyle changes and pharmacological treatments. This article describes different types of migraines and some differential diagnoses and 'red flag' symptoms that could indicate a more serious condition. The author also discusses non-pharmacological and pharmacological management strategies and treatments.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"76-82"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138295645","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 implementation of person-centred care in nursing practice.","authors":"Lucille Kelsall-Knight, Rhian Stevens","doi":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12190","DOIUrl":"10.7748/ns.2023.e12190","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Person-centred care involves nurses working in partnership with patients to ensure their needs and preferences are at the centre of their healthcare, as well as considering the biographical and social factors that are relevant to the person's health. This aims to support patients in developing the knowledge, confidence and skills to make informed decisions about treatment and to manage their own care where possible. This article discusses the concept of person-centred care and considers some of the facilitators and barriers that may affect its implementation in healthcare practice. It also explores some of the approaches that nurses can use to support person-centred care, such as cultural humility and role modelling.</p>","PeriodicalId":19327,"journal":{"name":"Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)","volume":" ","pages":"70-75"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138794310","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}