'Lansley must listen to nurses on the front line' Anatomy and physiology
Anatomy and physiology news, nursing practice and clinical research
Nursing practice and clinical research
Preventing falls in patients
A high number of patients were admitted to a ward with mobility problems owing to a history of alcohol misuse. A sister led a project to reduce the incidence of falls.
"Research is on the right topics if combined with clinical role"
For the last 25 years, I have been working in the field of wound healing and more recently in lymphoedema.
Transforming care for patients with spinal cord injury in Haiti
How simple bladder care is helping to improve outcomes for people with spinal cord injury.
Patient motivation in managing stress urinary incontinence
Recognising the appropriate support and treatment needed for a first-time mother presenting with stress incontinence boosted her confidence and enabled improved symptom control.
Exploring the benefits of anal irrigation
Bowel dysfunction can have detrimental effects on psychological, physical and social functioning. Two case studies show the impact of an anal irrigation system.
Managing stress incontinence in postnatal women
More needs to be done to improve continence services for women suffering from SUI after childbirth. This article discusses causes, assessment and treatment options.
Multidimensional leg ulcer assessment
Assessment of leg ulcers is complex and should include examination of the wound and consideration of underlying causes, comorbidities and their psychosocial impact.
Use of emollients in dry skin conditions
Emollient therapy can help to prevent skin breakdown in dry skin conditions
Appendicitis presenting as gastroenteritis: the importance of making a correct diagnosis
It is vital to be aware of the atypical presentations of appendicitis in children. This case study demonstrates how delayed diagnosis can result in serious illness
What is the correct way to remove a chest drain?
Nursing practice often involves undertaking procedures about which there is debate or uncertainty. In Practice Questions we ask experts to determine how nurses should approach these procedures
Developing a screening tool and training package to identify dysphagia in all settings
Patients with a wide variety of conditions can develop feeding and swallowing problems. An observation screening tool aimed to increase detection of dysphagia
An immediate life support course improved nursing students' confidence and knowledge
Hospital nurses often fail to notice clinical signs of deterioration. Introducing an undergraduate course gave students the opportunity to assess acutely ill patients
Rheumatoid arthritis 1: background, symptoms and ensuring prompt diagnosis and treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis is a debilitating condition that can cause long term disability. Early diagnosis is essential for prompt treatment to help prevent joint erosion
How to ensure patient observations lead to effective management of patients with oliguria
Oliguria can be a sign of hypovolaemia and acute renal failure. Fluid balance must be accurately monitored so deficits can be corrected and complications prevented
Exploring the physiology of ageing - part 9: The immune system
The human body needs to protect itself against environmental dangers, including pathogens. Its non-specific defences include the skin, internal and externalised secretions, and an army of natural (innate) immune cells, chemicals and defences.
I have been asked to help measure the apex and radial pulse. What are they and why is it necessary to measure both?
Nursing practice often involves undertaking procedures about which there is debate or uncertainty. In Practice Question we ask experts to determine how nurses should approach these situations
How to ensure patient observations lead to effective management of tachycardia
Tachycardia could indicate serious illness. It is essential that nurses promptly identify and act on this significant sign of patient deterioration
How to ensure patient observations lead to prompt identification of tachypnoea
Tachypnoea is one of the first signs of patient deterioration. To prevent further decline it is essential to know how to assess and manage a high respiratory rate
What is the evidence base for the assessment and evaluation of body temperature?
Measurements and decisions about body temperature are still based on traditional ideas. Examples in this review encourage practice based on evidence
How to ensure patient observations lead to effective management of patients with pyrexia
There is considerable debate about the management of this common clinical condition. It is vital to know about treatment options to ensure optimal care
Does giving paracetamol to lower raised temperature interfere with the body's natural defence response to infection?
Nursing practice often involves procedures or management about which there is debate or uncertainty. In Practice Questions we ask experts to determine how nurses should approach these
The menopause: effects on the pelvic floor, symptoms and treatment options
Postmenopausal women are at risk of urogynaecological dysfunction. With better understanding of the pelvic floor, much can be done to improve care
Understanding the role of genetics and genomics in health 2: implications for practice
With major advances in genetics and genomics, nurses need to develop their knowledge and understanding of the topic and know how to integrate this into practice
Effects of bedrest 3: musculoskeletal and immune systems, skin and self-perception
Exploring what happens to the musculoskeletal and immune systems, skin and self-perception in patients confined to bed, and what nurses should look out for
Effects of bedrest 2: gastrointestinal, endocrine, renal, reproductive and nervous systems
Exploring what happens to the gastrointestinal, endocrine, renal, reproductive and nervous systems, and processes in the body when a person is confined to bed
Chemical eye injuries 1: presentation, clinical features, treatment and prognosis
Exploring initial presentation of chemical eye injuries, clinical features and outlook and prognosis, and the importance of immediate treatment
Nurses are vital in implementing the osteoporosis care manifesto
Fracture liaison services and clinical audit are just two areas in which nurses can implement the National Osteoporosis Society manifesto, argues Julia Thomson
Effects of bedrest 1: cardiovascular, respiratory and haematological systems
Exploring what happens to processes in the body when a person is bedridden, and what nurses should look for when monitoring such patients
New guidance on how to avoid inserting female-length urinary catheters into men
The National Patient Safety Agency has issued new guidance on the importance of selecting catheters of the correct length to avoid adverse incidents
Nasogastric tubes 2: risks and guidance on avoiding and dealing with complications
An outline on risks involved with the use of nasogastric tubes, with advice on how to use them safely and avoid and deal with complications
Nasogastric tubes 1: insertion technique and confirming position
Indications for nasogastric tube insertion, the procedure for inserting a nasogastric tube and how to check whether it is in the correct position
Should lidocaine gel or lubricating gel be used for catheter insertion?
A discussion on whether anaesthetic gel is required during catheterisation
Exploring the anatomy and physiology of ageing: Part 11 - The Skin
The final article in this series on the anatomy and physiology of ageing discusses the effects of ageing on the skin.
Exploring the anatomy and physiology of ageing: Part 10 - muscles and bone
This article explores the major changes that occur to muscle and bone as a result of normal ageing.
Exploring the anatomy and physiology of ageing: part 7 the endocrine system
The seventh in this series on the anatomy and physiology looks at changes that occur in the endocrine system.
Urinary Catheters: Part 2 - Female Urinary Catheterisation
AuthorAnn Yates, BN, DipN, FETC, RGN, is director of continence services, Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust.This article, the second in a six-part series of urinary catheters, explains the procedure for female urethral catheterisation.Yates, A. (2008) Urinary catheters 1 part 2 - female catheterisation. Nursing Times; 104: 40, 24-25.
Anatomy and physiology of pain
A comprehensive guide to the anatomy and physiology of pain management
Exploring the anatomy and physiology of ageing part 6 - the eye and ear
The sixth part in our series discusses age-related changes in the eye and ear, the sensory organs most profoundly affected by the ageing process.
Exploring the anatomy and physiology of ageing Part 5 - The nervous system
This fifth article in our series explores major age-related anatomical and physiological changes in the nervous system.
New guidance focuses on rapid treatment in stroke and TIA
NICE guidance emphasises that rapid treatment improves outcomes for patients after they have had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack. Nerys Hairon reportsReferenceHairon, N. (2008) New guidance focuses on rapid treatment in stroke and TIA. Nursing Times; 104: 34, 20–21.
Anatomy and physiology news
Medics 'offered genital mutilation'
As many as 100,000 women in Britain have undergone female genital mutilations with medics in the UK offering to carry out the illegal procedure on girls as young as 10, it has been reported.
Drug targets cancer spread to bone
Thousands of cancer patients whose disease has spread to the bone could benefit from a new drug currently being approved for use on the NHS.
Drug recommended by NICE for stroke prevention
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended the oral anticoagulant dabigatran (Pradaxa) as an option for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation.
'Swaddling' of babies 'to be avoided'
The return to popularity of a previously almost eradicated practice of tightly wrapping babies in blankets is causing a rise in hip problems, a surgeon has warned.
NICE publishes peripheral arterial disease treatment guidance
Draft guidance has been published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to reduce “considerable uncertainty and variations in practice” in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Diabetes patients 'get more healthy living advice than they think'
Clinicians believe they provide more healthy living advice to diabetes patients than patients think they get, according to study by Newcastle University.
Hip fractures 'to cost £6bn by 2036'
Hospital admissions for hip fracture could almost double and the cost of treating such patients spiral to £6 billion, according to a government-commissioned report.
Manuka honey 'has wound-healing qualities'
Scientists have suggested that manuka honey could have a benefit in the treatment of stubborn wounds.
Throat spray to help detect cancer
A fluorescent “throat spray” that pinpoints abnormal cells could help healthcare staff spot early oesophagus cancer, research has shown.
Guide to boost organ donation launched
New guidance designed to boost the number of organs for transplant has been issued to the NHS.
Continence charity engages teenage girls in pelvic floor health promotion
An award winning leaflet designed by teenagers, for teenagers.
Sedation complications 'more likely at night'
Complications are more likely to occur in sedated accident and emergency patients at night or in those more deeply sedated, according to Stirling Royal Infirmary researchers.
One minute of exercise a day 'could prevent diabetes'
Type 2 diabetes could be avoided if people exercised for as little as one minute every day, according to a new study.
Audit praises standards of palliative care
Hospitals have been praised for providing good standards of palliative care to dying patients, but researchers have made a series of recommendations for improvements.
Emergency departments are treating older fall victims 'poorly'
Older people attending emergency departments following a fall are receiving a “poor deal”, according to Leicester Royal Infirmary researchers online in the Emergency Medicine Journal.
'Staggered overdose' on paracetemol 'more dangerous than single overdoses'
Repeatedly taking slightly too much paracetamol over time can cause a dangerous overdose that is difficult to spot, Edinburgh University researchers have warned.
Exercise referral schemes' effectiveness 'remains unclear'
Much uncertainty remains about the effectiveness of exercise referral schemes for increasing physical activity, fitness or health indicators, a meta-analysis of other studies has concluded.
Review of allied health professions planned
Jobs that complement nursing roles and help with the ongoing health needs of patients will be the subject of a national delivery plan from the Scottish government.
'Powerful evidence' of growing role of specialist nurses revealed
“Powerful evidence” of the growing role of specialist nurses in the NHS has been demonstrated by figures showing the number of outpatients they treat is rising by more than 100,000 a year.
Dislocation recovery time cut by drug combination
The combination of remifentanil and propofol improves recovery time after anterior shoulder dislocation, compared with traditional regimens of morphine and midazolam, according to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary researchers.
