Caring for a patient with asthma

Follow these steps to keep your patient breathing easy.     

Caring for a limited-English proficient patient

Each day in the United States, health care workers try to communicate with patients who are deaf, hard of hearing, or limited-English proficient (LEP). According to government regulations, these patients are guaranteed access to language accommodations. The legal implications of these regulations will be discussed along with ways to facilitate communication with patients who are deaf, hard of hearing, or LEP and the requirements for those who act as interpreters for such patients. AORN J (Feb 2002) 305-308.     

Caring for women undergoing cardiac ablation

Radiofrequency cardiac ablation (RFCA) has become the treatment of choice for many cardiac arrhythmias that have not responded to medication. Complications of cardiac ablation include bleeding, thrombosis, pericardial tamponade, and stroke. Many complications are procedure specific, and several complications can be avoided with appropriate nursing care. Quality patient outcomes begin with competent nursing care. Therefore it is vital for a patient undergoing a percutaneous cardiac ablation procedure to receive supportive care and pre- and post-interventional patient education. This article discusses the nursing care of women undergoing RFCA.     

Caring for a patient with malodorous leg ulcers

Patients with leg ulceration who experience symptoms of pain and malodour can become isolated and suffer psychological problems. Peter Cooke describes a patient who experienced these problems and identifies the importance of patient involvement in planning care.     

Caring for the patient with a nasogastric tube

A nasogastric tube enables a nutritionally adequate diet to be delivered directly to the stomach bypassing the oral route. It is the most common route for enteral feeding and nurses play a central role in caring for patients with a nasogastric tube. This article outlines the care required for an adult patient with a fine bore nasogastric tube.     

Caring for a patient with metastatic prostate cancer

Learn about the latest treatments and what your patient needs to know at this difficult time.