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Assessment, diagnosis and management of constipation
Constipation is a common, treatable condition that can be experienced by all age groups. This article outlines the different types of constipation and explains how the condition is diagnosed. A comprehensive and person-centred assessment is fundamental to identifying constipation, and should include...
Updated: 16 November 2023 -
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Applying public health theory to practice in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Public health has a long history and a contested meaning. Furthermore, public health operates in a social context and its messages may be rejected by the public. Nurses who have a direct public health role, notably those working in the community and in primary care, need to be able to articulate and...
Updated: 19 January 2023 -
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Supporting older people experiencing anxiety through non-pharmacological interventions
Anxiety is a debilitating condition that adversely affects people’s quality of life. It is challenging to differentiate anxiety from other physical and mental health conditions in older people, particularly those with co-morbid dementia or depression. The coronavirus 2019 pandemic has compounded soc...
Updated: 22 November 2023 -
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How nurses can promote well-being in personalised care
Between 2020 and 2024, personalised care will be made universal, improving the lives of approximately 2.5 million people in England. This article explores the role of well-being and happiness in health and care and what it can add to the concept of ‘what matters to me’.It describes the evidence deta...
Updated: 19 January 2023 -
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Selection and management of central venous access devices
Vascular access is an important aspect of patient care and management in all areas of healthcare. Safe, efficient and reliable venous access may require a central venous access device (CVAD), which can be used in primary and secondary care settings. Nurses may assist in device selection and be invol...
Updated: 18 January 2023 -
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Preventing and managing pressure ulcers in patients receiving palliative care
Pressure ulcers are more common in patients being cared for in palliative care settings than in the general population. Patients with life-limiting illnesses are living longer than ever before, and many present with multiple co-morbidities. Palliative care involves improving the patient’s quality of...
Updated: 22 November 2023 -
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Understanding and applying personality types in healthcare communication
Understanding personality types can assist nurses in enhancing their understanding of themselves and their colleagues, which in turn can support effective communication. This article outlines the principles of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) – a personality inventory that aims to improve the ...
Updated: 16 November 2023 -
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Introducing mentalization and its role in mental health practice
The theory of mentalization describes the ability of individuals to make sense of their own and others’ behaviour in terms of mental states such as feelings, thoughts, beliefs and intentions. Mentalization is fundamental to people’s ability to manage relationships and emotions. Also, the process of ...
Updated: 16 November 2023 -
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Use of personal protective equipment in nursing practice
A comprehensive understanding of infection prevention and control is essential for nurses when seeking to protect themselves, patients, colleagues and the general public from the transmission of infection. Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, aprons and/or gowns, and eye protection, ...
Updated: 1 November 2023 -
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Biological basis of child health 3: development of the cardiovascular system and congenital heart defects
This article is the third in a series on the biological basis of child health. It outlines how the cardiovascular system develops during gestation and how congenital heart defects (CHDs) may arise in the process. The article details the pathophysiology and treatment of some of the common CHDs, inclu...
Updated: 16 September 2024
