NursingLink

In late April, 2006, the World Health Organization released long-awaited new growth charts for breastfed children. Based on careful studies of breastfed babies living under "ideal" conditions in several countries, WHO has determined that they grow at similar rates and that this growth pattern is the ideal one. At some ages what used to look like mild "growth retardation" now shows ...

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I have been a Registered Nurse for 13 years now, and a piece of advice that was given to me while in nursing school continues to stick with me. I thought I would pass the proverbial torch along to some of you nursing students and those new to the profession. Nursing 102. This was the class where we actually received more ...

Trying to save time by using abbreviations? Make sure that you aren't putting yourself or your patients in jeopardy. By Fay Yocum, MSN, RN Are you putting your patient-and your career--at risk by using abbreviations? Nurses are supposed to be communicators, especially when documenting patient information. But if what you write doesn't communicate, then you've failed in your professional and ...

go to bed early the week of the test.studies have shown that this is a contributing factor for unsuccess in those who dont do so well on their exams. and going to bed and waking up the same time everyday will get you into a pattern that your body will soon recognize. not only will this help you wake up faster ...

Vol. 4, No. 6 / June 2005 Richard C. Christensen, MD, on Homeless, not hopeless: 4 strategies for successful interventions Treating homeless mentally ill persons in a community-based setting—such as an inpatient medical or psychiatric unit, emergency department, or shelter clinic—requires special clinical adaptations. Four strategies can help achieve a successful intervention. 1. Engage patiently. Many homeless persons view the mental ...

Vol. 5, No. 8 / August 2006 How to take a sexual history (without blushing) • Assessing sexual complaints • Ask about sexual identity • Ask about sexual function • Adult Sex Life: 6 Stages Practice makes it easier to talk to patients about sex. Stephen B. Levine, MD Clinical professor of psychiatry, Case School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH When you ...

Vol. 5, No. 10 / October 2006 Mitchell Levy, MD 10 delirium myths debunked A consultation-liaison psychiatrist is called in to help manage “schizophrenia” in a middle-aged attorney who is recovering from a complicated cardiac bypass procedure. This patient is not mentally ill, the psychiatrist realizes, but has delirium with rapid-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms noted by fluctuations in arousal and associated changes ...

There is much more to dopamine than schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease. Research has discovered a fascinating array of dopamine functions, some as triggers for neuropsychiatric disorders and others critical for healthy living. Here’s a quiz; how many of the following functions of dopamine’s six receptors and four pathways do you know? Motor coordination. Most of us take for granted moving or ...

Vital signs show an individual is alive. They include heart beat, breathing rate, temperature, and blood pressure. These signs may be watched, measured, and monitored to check an individual's level of physical functioning. Normal vital signs change with age, sex, weight, exercise tolerance, and condition. Normal ranges for the average healthy adult vital signs are: Temperature: 97.8 - 99.1 degrees Fahrenheit ...

h4. Introduction The next 30 years will result in a unique change in population demographics in this country. This change is already beginning. The baby boomers are getting old. The over 65 population will increase from being the 13% of the population it is today to 20% by the year 2030. More people than ever will reach the 100-year mark. All ...

h4. Chapter 2: Integumentary System The skin is the largest organ in the body. The normal adult has over 20 square feet of skin so it is easy to understand how something can go wrong with this much area to cover. As a membranous barrier between a person's outer and inner surroundings, the skin responds to external changes and also reflects ...

h4. Introduction Performing an accurate physical assessment and being able to differentiate normal from abnormal findings is one of the most important roles for today's health care practitioner. If an accurate physical assessment cannot be performed, whether for baseline data or when the patient's condition changes, then the patient is not receiving the level of competent care that should be given. ...

Psychosocial assessments are often overlooked as a portion of the physical examination. However, a person's psychological well-being has much to do with physical health. The following guide to psychosocial assessment can be remembered by the acronym "SELF PACING". The findings from this assessment in addition to the physical findings will provide a comprehensive view of the patient's status. S - Self-Esteem: ...

h4. Chapter 7: Endocrine System The endocrine system is composed of glands that both produce and secrete hormones. The pituitary gland secretes ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). These hormones stimulate the adrenal cortex and thyroid gland to do their jobs. The adrenal gland produces epinephrine, norepinephrine, and mineralcorticoids, glucocorticoids, and androgens. These hormones prepare people for emergency situations ...

h4. Chapter 8: Neurological System The nervous system consists of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system, and the autonomic nervous system. Together these three components integrate all physical, emotional, and intellectual activities. The CNS includes the brain and spinal cord. These two structures collect and interpret voluntary and involuntary sensory and motor signals. A brief overview of the ...

h4. Chapter 6: Genitourinary System Problems with the urinary or reproductive systems can not only affect these systems but they can trigger problems in other body systems. In addition, difficulties with these systems can affect the patient's quality of life and sense of well-being. The main function of the urinary system is to regulate fluid and electrolyte balance. The purpose of ...

h4. Chapter 9: Gastrointestinal System The gastrointestinal (GI) system performs the functions of ingestion, digestion, and elimination. Interruptions of any of these functions can quickly affect the patient nutritionally and cause acid-base imbalances. When performing the GI assessment, it must be remembered that much of the population has preexisting problems and that these problems can be exacerbated or new conditions can ...