Systematic review: Predictors of students’ success in baccalaureate nursing programs

Nursing schools strive to select a diverse student population who are likely to succeed by ensuring timely student progression through the program and effective use of educational sources. The purpose of this systematic literature review is to explore the preadmission variables and selection criteria that predict student success in 4-year baccalaureate nursing programs in the U.S. Sixteen articles met the eligibility criteria, and six measures were used to define student success: (a) early academic success, particularly during the first and second year; (b) attrition; (c) timely completion of the program; (d) graduation; (e) performance in nursing courses; and (f) academic performance in other science courses. Typically, the core set of cognitive predictors used in the admission process in nursing schools were pre-nursing GPA, pre-nursing collegiate science GPA, and scores on standardized aptitude exams. This review suggests that it is challenging to isolate one single variable as the best predictor of student success; however, using a combination of variables can offer a reliable prediction method. More researchers should consider using a theoretical basis to guide their inquiry on this topic. Additionally, researchers should examine admission variables that are most relevant across programs.     

A modality-specific somatosensory evoked potential test protocol for clinical evaluation: A feasibility study

ObjectiveWe aimed to establish an objective neurophysiological test protocol that can be used to assess the somatosensory nervous system.MethodsIn order to assess most fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system, repetitive stimuli of seven different modalities (touch, vibration, pinprick, cold, contact heat, laser, and warmth) were synchronized with the electroencephalogram (EEG) and applied on the cheek and dorsum of the hand and dorsum of the foot in 21 healthy subjects and three polyneuropathy (PNP) patients. Latencies and amplitudes of the modalities were assessed and compared. Patients received quantitative sensory testing (QST) as reference.ResultsWe found reproducible evoked potentials recordings for touch, vibration, pinprick, contact-heat, and laser stimuli. The recording of warm-evoked potentials was challenging in young healthy subjects and not applicable in patients. Latencies were shortest within Aβ-fiber-mediated signals and longest within C-fibers. The test protocol detected function loss within the Aβ-fiber and Aδ-fiber-range in PNP patients. This function loss corresponded with QST findings.ConclusionIn this pilot study, we developed a neurophysiological test protocol that can specifically assess most of the somatosensory modalities. Despite technical challenges, initial patient data appear promising regarding a possible future clinical application.SignificanceEstablished and custom-made stimulators were combined to assess different fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system using modality-specific evoked potentials.     

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and neck of femur fractures: Standardising the perioperative management and time to surgery

Demographic projections for hip fragility fractures indicate a rising annual incidence by virtue of a multimorbid, ageing population with more noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs are characterised by slow progression and long duration ranging from ischaemic cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to various cancers. Management of this disease burden often involves commencing patients on oral anticoagulants to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events. The use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in clinical practice has increased due to their rapid onset of action, short half-life and predictable anticoagulant effects, without the need for routine monitoring. Safe and timely surgical intervention relies on reversal of anticoagulants. However, the lack of specific evidence-based guidelines for the perioperative management of patients on DOACs with hip fractures has proved challenging; in particular, the accessibility of DOAC-specific assays, justification of the cost-benefit ratio of targeted reversal agents and indications for neuraxial anaesthesia. This has led to potentially avoidable delays in surgical intervention. Following a literature review of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics of commonly used DOACs in our region including the role of surrogate markers, we propose a systematic, evidence-based guideline to the perioperative management of hip fractures DOACs. We believe this standardised protocol can be easily replicated between hospitals. We recommend that if patients are deemed suitable for a general anaesthesia, with satisfactory renal function, optimal surgical time should be 24 h following the last ingested dose of DOAC.     

早期十全大补汤联合肠内营养乳剂治疗胃癌术后(气血两虚证)喂养不耐受临床评价

目的探讨早期使用十全大补汤联合肠内营养乳剂(TP)治疗胃癌术后(气血两虚证)发生喂养不耐受(FI)的影响因素及对营养指标、中医证候积分的影响。方法回顾性分析术后早期行十全大补汤联合TP治疗的80例胃癌术后(气血两虚)患者的病历资料,根据是否出现FI分为耐受组(34例)和不耐受组(46例)。FI的相关影响因素进行单因素及多因素分析,并观察FI对患者营养指标、中医证候积分的影响。结果单因素分析显示,患者术后第1天下床活动时间、开始肠内营养(EN)的时间、使用营养泵、早期灌肠与FI的发生密切相关(P <0. 05);多因素Logistic回归分析显示,患者第1天下床活动时间≥2 h[OR=0. 022,P=0. 001,95%CI(0. 002,0. 223)]、使用营养泵[OR=0. 021,P=0. 000,95%CI(0. 003,0. 162)]是FI发生的独立危险因素;术后10 d,耐受组患者白蛋白(ALB)、血红蛋白(Hb)升高水平优于不耐受组(P <0. 05),中医证候积分显著低于不耐受组(P <0. 05)。结论胃癌术后(气血两虚证)患者早期给予十全大补汤联合TP治疗开始后,患者第1天下床活动时间不短于2 h、使用营养泵能有效减少FI的发生,并改善了患者的营养状态,减轻了中医临床症状。     

How physiotherapists perceive,interpret, and respond to the ethical dimensions of practice: A qualitative study

The profile and reach of physiotherapy has expanded in areas of extended scope of practice, and broader engagement with population needs beyond the individual treatment encounter. These changes raise increasingly complex ethical challenges evidenced by growth in physiotherapy-based ethics studies and discussions. This paper examines how a broad cross section of Australian physiotherapists perceive, interpret, and respond to ethical challenges in their work contexts and how professional codes of conduct are used in their practice. Using an interpretive qualitative methodology, purposive sampling of 88 members of national clinical special interest groups were recruited for focus group discussions. Narrative-based and thematic data analysis identified ethical challenges as emerging from specific clinical contexts, and influenced by health organizations, funding policies, workplace relationships, and individually held perspectives. Five themes were developed to represent these findings: (1) the working environment, (2) balancing diverse needs and expectation, (3) defining ethics, (4) striving to act ethically, and (5) talking about ethics. The results portray a diverse and complex ethical landscape where therapists encounter and grapple with ethical questions emerging from the impact of funding models and policies affecting clinical work, expanding boundaries and scope of practice and changing professional roles and relationships. Codes of conduct were described as foundational ethical knowledge but not always helpful for “in the moment” ethical decision-making. Based on this research, we suggest how codes of conduct, educators, and professional associations could cultivate and nurture ethics capability in physiotherapy practitioners for these contemporary challenges.     

Connectivity measures suggest a sub-cortical generator of myoclonus in Angelman syndrome

ObjectiveThe clinical and neurophysiological characteristics of myoclonus in Angelman syndrome (AS) have been evaluated in single case or small cohorts, with contrasting results. We evaluated the features of myoclonus in a wide cohort of AS patients.MethodsWe performed polygraphic EEG-EMG recording in 24 patients with genetically confirmed AS and myoclonus. Neurophysiological investigations included jerk-locked back-averaging (JLBA), cortico-muscular coherence (CMC) and generalised partial directed coherence (GPDC). CMC and GPDC analyses were compared to those obtained from 10 healthy controls (HC).ResultsTwenty-four patients (aged 3–35 years, median 20) were evaluated. Sequences of quasi-continuous rhythmic jerks mostly occurred at alpha frequency or just below (mean 8.4 ± 1.4 Hz), without EEG correlate. JLBA did not show any clear transient preceding the jerks. CMC showed bilateral over-threshold CMC in alpha band that was prominent on the contralateral hemisphere in the patient group as compared to HC group. GPDC showed a significantly higher alpha outflow from both hemispheres toward activated muscles in the patient group, and a significantly higher beta outflow from contralateral hemisphere in the HC group.ConclusionsThese neurophysiological findings suggest a subcortical generator of myoclonus in AS.SignificanceMyoclonus in AS has not a cortical origin as previously hypothesised.