Archived Continuing Education Articles in the AGH Library

June 2009

Record: 1
Title: AANA Journal course no. 28.
Source: AANA Journal (AANA J), 2009 Apr; 77(2): 147-56
MEDLINE Info:NLM UID: 0431420

Record: 2
Title: Acute coronary syndrome: even nurses outside the ED should
recognize its signs and symptoms.
Authors: Overbaugh KJ
Source: American Journal of Nursing (AM J NURS), 2009 May; 109(5): 42-53 (18 ref)
Abstract: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the umbrella term for the clinical
signs and symptoms of myocardial ischemia: unstable angina, non-ST-segment
elevation myocardial infarction, and ST-segment elevation myocardial
infarction. This article further defines ACS and the conditions it includes;
reviews its risk factors; describes its pathophysiology and associated signs
and symptoms; discusses variations in its diagnostic findings, such as cardiac
biomarkers and electrocardiographic changes; and outlines treatment
approaches, including drug and reperfusion therapies.
MEDLINE Info:PMID: 19411905 NLM UID: 0372646

Record: 3
Title: Acute ischemic stroke: not a moment to lose.
Authors: Miller J; Mink J
Source: Nursing (NURSING), 2009 May; 39(5): 37-43 (11 ref)
Abstract: Familiarize yourself with recommendations from the latest stroke care
guidelines so you'll be prepared to respond within the narrow therapeutic
window for optimal treatment.
MEDLINE Info:PMID: 19395934 NLM UID: 7600137

Record: 4
Title: How to protect yourself after body fluid exposure.
Authors: Davenport A; Myers F
Source: Nursing (NURSING), 2009 May; 39(5): 22-9 (10 ref)
Abstract: An accidental exposure to blood or other potentially infectious
material (OPIM) such as cerebrospinal or pleural fluid can be a life changing
experience. Among the bloodborne and OPIM pathogens are HIV, hepatitis B virus
(HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) exists for
HBV and HIV, but not for HCV, which is the most common chronic bloodborne
infection in the United States; approximately 3.2 million persons are
chronically infected. Fortunately, however, exposure to blood or OPIM usually
doesn't translate into disease transmission. In this article, we'll discuss
how you can minimize the risk of disease transmission if you or a coworker is
accidentally exposed to blood or another potentially infectious body fluid.
But first, let's review some key definitions.
MEDLINE Info:PMID: 19395929 NLM UID: 7600137

Record: 5
Title: Improving workplace safety training using a self-directed
CPR-AED learning program.
Authors: Mancini ME; Cazzell M; Kardong-Edgren S; Cason CL
Source: AAOHN Journal (AAOHN J), 2009 Apr; 57(4): 159-69 (36 ref)
Abstract: Adequate training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and use of
an automated external defibrillator (AED) is an important component of a
workplace safety training program. Barriers to traditional in-classroom
CPR-AED training programs include time away from work to complete training,
logistics, learner discomfort over being in a classroom setting, and
instructors who include information irrelevant to CPR. This study evaluated
differences in CPR skills performance between employees who learned CPR using
a self-directed learning (SDL) kit and employees who attended a traditional
instructor-led course. The results suggest that the SDL kit yields learning
outcomes comparable to those obtained with traditional instructor-led courses
and is a more time-efficient tool for CPR-AED training. Furthermore, the SDL
kit overcomes many of the barriers that keep individuals from learning CPR and
appears to contribute to bystanders' confidently attempting resuscitation.
MEDLINE Info:PMID: 19438082 NLM UID: 8608669

Record: 6
Title: Nurses' lived experience of Reiki for self-care.
Authors: Vitale A
Source: Holistic Nursing Practice (HOLISTIC NURS PRACT), 2009 May-Jun; 23(3):
129-47 (108 ref)
Abstract: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived
experience of nurses who practice Reiki for self-care. In-person interviews
were conducted with 11 nurses who met specific study criteria, using
open-ended questions to examine the experience of nurses who are Reiki
practitioners, to understand their perceptions of Reiki use in self-treatment,
and to appreciate its meaning for them. The Colaizzi method was utilized in
data analysis and independent decision trail audits were completed to promote
study rigor and trustworthiness of results. Thematic categories and major and
minor thematic clusters emerged around the topics of daily stress management,
self-healing, spirituality, and interconnectedness of self, others, and
beyond. Implications of the study findings for nursing practice and nursing
education are discussed. Potential applications of study findings to Jean
Watson's transpersonal caring theory located within a caring science framework
are explored and recommendations for future research are offered.
MEDLINE Info:PMID: 19411991 NLM UID: 8702105

Record: 7
Title: Risk factors as predictors of sexual activity in heart
failure.
Authors: Steinke EE; Mosack V; Wright DW; Chung ML; Moser DK
Source: Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing (DCCN), 2009 May-Jun; 28(3): 123-31
(16 ref)
Abstract: Patients with heart failure (HF) often have concerns about sexual
activity while living with HF. Little is known about factors that contribute
to sexual activity and sexual dysfunction in HF. This study examined selected
risk factors and demographic variables as predictors of sexual activity in HF
patients. The sample (N = 97) was mostly male and white and had some college
education. Four risk factors, tobacco use, alcohol use, having diabetes, and
number of medications, were statistically significant in showing decreased
odds of being sexually active, when controlling for age, sex, education, and
body mass index. Nonexercisers and hypertension were not significant
predictors of sexual activity. Among cardiac medication classes, there were no
statistically significant differences between those HF patients who were and
were not sexually active. Health professionals need to be mindful of these
predictive factors as they provide sexual counseling to patients with HF.
MEDLINE Info:PMID: 19387276 NLM UID: 8211489

Record: 8
Title: The influence of heart failure self-care on health outcomes:
hypothetical cardioprotective mechanisms.
Authors: Lee CS; Tkacs NC; Riegel B
Source: Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing (J CARDIOVASC NURS), 2009 May-Jun;
24(3): 179-89 (73 ref)
Abstract:Lapses in self-care are commonly cited as a major cause of poor
outcomes in persons with heart failure (HF). Not surprisingly, self-care is
assumed to be central to improving health outcomes in this patient population.
Empirically, however, this assumption is not well supported, and
mechanistically, relationships between self-care and outcomes in HF have not
yet been described. In this review, it is proposed that effective self-care
maintenance (adherence) and self-care management (symptom evaluation and
management) practices are complementary to optimal medical management in
delaying HF progression and improving health outcomes in this population.
Potential mechanisms through which effective HF self-care practices are
complementary to pharmacological therapy in improving outcomes include (a)
facilitating partial blockade and partial deactivation of deleterious
neurohormones, (b) limiting inflammatory processes, (c) decreasing the need
for administration of detrimental pharmacological agents, and (d) minimizing
myocardial hibernation. Because these mechanisms are hypothetical, research
findings are required to establish their validity. Several strategic research
questions are proposed.
MEDLINE Info:PMID: 19279494 NLM UID: 8703516

Record: 9
Title: Understanding and managing burn pain: part 2: exploring burn
pain management and the psychological aspects of burn pain.
Authors: Connor-Ballard PA
Source:American Journal of Nursing (AM J NURS), 2009 May; 109(5): 54-63 (33
ref)
Abstract: Despite advances in treatment of burn injuries and their consequent
pain, wound care is the main source of the pain associated with burn injury.
This two-part article explores burn pain and its treatment from a nursing
perspective. Last month, Part 1 provided an overview of burn injury and
addressed the wound care-related causes of burn pain, as well as its
assessment and treatment. Part 2, presented here, provides a more in-depth
discussion of pain management; topical medications and the psychological
aspects of burn pain are also discussed.
MEDLINE Info:PMID: 19411907 NLM UID: 0372646

 

Record: 10
Title: Risk factors as predictors of sexual activity in heart failure.
Authors: Steinke EE; Mosack V; Wright DW; Chung ML; Moser DK
Source: Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing (DCCN), 2009 May-Jun; 28(3): 123-31
(16 ref)
Abstract:Patients with heart failure (HF) often have concerns about sexual
activity while living with HF. Little is known about factors that contribute
to sexual activity and sexual dysfunction in HF. This study examined selected
risk factors and demographic variables as predictors of sexual activity in HF
patients. The sample (N = 97) was mostly male and white and had some college
education. Four risk factors, tobacco use, alcohol use, having diabetes, and
number of medications, were statistically significant in showing decreased
odds of being sexually active, when controlling for age, sex, education, and
body mass index. Nonexercisers and hypertension were not significant
predictors of sexual activity. Among cardiac medication classes, there were no
statistically significant differences between those HF patients who were and
were not sexually active. Health professionals need to be mindful of these
predictive factors as they provide sexual counseling to patients with HF.
MEDLINE Info:PMID: 19387276 NLM UID: 8211489