Ajn The American Journal Of Nursing - This Month In Ajn

This Month in AJN – April 2019 monthly highlights April 2019 Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the April issue of AJN. In our first CE, “Errors in Postoperative Administration of Intravenous Patient-Controlled Analgesia: A Retrospective Study,” the authors describe and analyze the errors associated with the use of IV patient-controlled analgesia at a large medical center in South Korea. Our second CE, “A Historical Review of Nurse–Physician Bedside Rounding,” discusses how the nurse’s role in bedside rounding has evolved since the 19th century. The authors of our next article, “Sustaining Nursing Grand Rounds Through Interdisciplinary Teamwork and Interorganizational Partnership,” present the implementation of a grand rounds program at their naval hospital, and demonstrate how nursing grand rounds can support professional growth and strengthen partnerships. “EBP 2.0: Implementing and Sustaining Change: From Strategy to Implementation” introduces a new seri

This Month in AJN – March 2019 monthly highlightsMarch 2019Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the March issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, “Original Research: New Acute Symptoms in Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: What Should Family Caregivers Do?” assessed the frequency with which family caregivers of older veterans with cognitive impairment sought guidance for new physical or behavioral symptoms and described the characteristics of such events, including the diagnoses and advice given. Our second CE, “Type 2 Diabetes: A Pharmacologic Update,” reviews established and newer type 2 diabetes medications, plus nursing implications. Our next article, “Using a Fall Prevention Checklist to Reduce Hospital Falls: Results of a Quality Improvement Project,” describes how nurses implemented a fall prevention checklist to improve adherence to an existing protocol and evaluated its impact on fall incidence. “Clarifying the Confusion of Arterial Blood Gas

This Month in AJN –  February 2019 monthly highlights February 2019 Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the February issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, “Original Research: Midlife Hypertension and Hypercholesterolemia in Relation to Cognitive Function Later in Life in Black Women,” sought to explore the relationship between two vascular risk factors in midlife—hypertension and hypercholesterolemia—and cognitive function later in life among black women. Our second CE, “Caring for Survivors of Hodgkin Lymphoma,” provides an overview of HL, the most common late effects of treatment, and current recommendations for survivor surveillance and screening. In our next article, “A Nurse-Driven Oral Care Protocol to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia,” the authors describe a QI initiative to implement an oral care protocol in the adult in-patient care areas of a level 1 trauma hospital and evaluate it

This Month in AJN – January 2019 monthly highlightsJanuary 2019Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the January issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, “Original Research: Antineoplastic Drug Administration by Pregnant and Nonpregnant Nurses: An Exploration of the Use of Protective Gloves and Gowns,” examine this practice among nurses in the Nurses’ Health Study 3. Our second CE, “Addressing Food Insecurity in Vulnerable Populations,” discusses the factors that contribute to food insecurity and the populations at greatest risk, as well as screening tools and resources for vulnerable patients. In our next article, “Helping Students to Be Gritty,” the author shares strategies for fostering grit—a trait marked by perseverance and resilience and associated with success—in nursing students. “Early, Nurse-Directed Sepsis Care” describes a single-center, multiyear quality improvement initiative designed to promote early recognition and treatment of sepsis and exa

This Month in AJN – December 2018 monthly highlightsDecember 2018Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the December issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, “Original Research: Advance Care Planning: An Exploration of the Beliefs, Self-Efficacy, Education, and Practices of RNs and LPNs,” surveyed RNs and LPNs working in skilled nursing facilities to learn about the similarities and differences in their advance care planning–related beliefs, sense of self-efficacy, education, and practices. Our second CE, “Managing Movement Disorders: A Clinical Review,” discusses the pathophysiology and assessment of three different, common neuromuscular disorders—muscle tightness, spasticity, and clonus—as well as the treatment options for each. In our next article, “Creating a Culture of Mobility: Using Real-Time Assessment to Drive Outcomes,” the authors describe how they implemented an intervention based on the use of three new assessment tools to promote awareness of th

This Month in AJN – November 2018 monthly highlights November 2018 Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the November issue of AJN. Our first CE, “Original Research: Patient Handling and Mobility Course Content: A National Survey of Nursing Programs,” examines what nursing programs teach students about lifting, turning, transferring, repositioning, and mobilizing patients. Our second CE, “How to Predict Pediatric Pressure Injury Risk with the Braden QD Scale,” offers guidance on use of the Braden QD Scale—a pediatric risk assessment instrument that reliably predicts both immobility-related and medical device–related pressure injuries. The author of our next article, “Looking Back: Nurses Fight for the Right to Vote,” shares the stories of four nurses suffragists—Lavinia Lloyd Dock, Mary Bartlett Dixon, Sarah Tarleton Colvin, and Hattie Frances Kruger—who were arrested for their involvement in the women’s suffrage movement. “Cultivating Quality: The Integrativ

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the October issue of AJN. Our first CE, “The Use of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta in Treating Hemorrhagic Shock from Severe Trauma,” outlines this new tool, describes its evolution, and discusses various considerations, pitfalls, and nursing implications. Our second CE, “Acute Pain Management for People with Opioid Use Disorder,” discusses how to manage acute pain effectively in patients receiving medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder, which incorporates methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone. The authors of our next article, “Original Research: Journalists’ Experiences with Using Nurses as Sources in Health News Stories,” interviewed health journalists to better understand their perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to using nurses as sources. “Workplace Violence Training Using Simulation” describes how an interdisciplinary team at an Ohio health system developed a traini

This Month in AJN –  September 2018 monthly highlightsSeptember 2018Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the September issue of AJN. Our first CE, “Too Much Sitting: A Newly Recognized Health Risk,” examines compelling evidence that overall daily sitting time—regardless of whether a person engages in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity—may be an independent health risk for cardiometabolic health conditions, certain cancers, and all-cause mortality. Our second CE, “Managing Stable COPD: An Evidence-Based Approach,” describes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk factors, clinical manifestations, and diagnostic testing, and discusses how to put the revised Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease recommendations into practice. In our next article, “Responding to Mass Shootings: Are Hospitals—and Nurses—Fully Prepared?,” nurses and physicians who have experienced mass shootings firsthand discuss the importance

This Month in AJN – August 2018 monthly highlightsAugust 2018Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy presents the highlights of the August issue of AJN. Our first CE, “Original Research: Pain in Nonverbal Children with Medical Complexity: A Two-Year Retrospective Study,” describes the signs and symptoms parents of such children find worrisome, the sources of pain in these children, and how to best assess pain in this population. Our second CE, “A Review of the Revised Sepsis Care Bundles,” discusses recent revisions to the sepsis care guidelines, including development of the new one-hour bundle, plus screening and assessment tools to identify sepsis in the ICU, in the ED, on the medical–surgical unit, and outside the hospital. The authors of our next article, “Environments and Health: Nursing Practice and Particulate Matter Exposure,” provide an overview of particulate matter exposure and health, and management strategies for practice. “Transitions: Retired Nurse Volunteers” describes the benefits of using retired nur

This Month in AJN –  July 2018 monthly highlights July 2018Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the July issue of AJN. Our first CE, “Original Research: The Efficacy and Safety of an RN-Driven Ketamine Protocol for Adjunctive Analgesia During Burn Wound Care,” describes a study that evaluated the efficacy and safety of a practice protocol allowing critical care RNs to independently administer IV ketamine for burn wound care. Our second CE, “Breast Cancer Screening: A Review of Current Guidelines,” reviews the guidelines of the American Cancer Society, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and provides guidance to nurses as they support and educate patients. The authors of our next article, “Ethics Champion Programs,” discuss how these programs prepare nurses to function as unit-based ethics resources for colleagues as they face common ethical issues and challenges. “Cultivating Quality:

This Month in AJN –  June 2018 monthly highlights June 2018Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the June issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, "Original Research: Understanding the Hospital Experience of Older Adults with Hearing Impairment," describe a qualitative study they conducted to assess the hospital experience of hearing-impaired patients in order to formulate suggestions for improving nursing care. Our second CE, "Understanding the Nurse’s Role in Managing Gaucher Disease," discusses the epidemiology and pathophysiology of Gaucher disease as well as recent advances in screening, diagnosis, and management. Our next article, "Cultivating Quality: The Benefits of Implementing an Early Mobility Protocol in Postoperative Neurosurgical Spine Patients," presents a quality improvement initiative to establish an NP-led early mobility protocol aimed at reducing uncomplicated postsurgical spine patients’ length of hospital stay and eliminatin

This Month in AJN –  May 2018 monthly highlights May 2018 Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the May issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, “Original Research: Exploring Clinicians’ Perceptions About Sustaining an Evidence-Based Fall Prevention Program,” describe a qualitative study they conducted to address the knowledge gap between implementing and sustaining evidence-based fall prevention practices for hospitalized patients. Our second CE, “A Review of Current Practice in Transfusion Therapy,” covers the blood products that are commonly transfused, discusses the potential complications of transfusion—including TACO, TRALI, and TRIM—and outlines current recommendations for transfusion therapy. Our next article, “Special Feature: Assisted Suicide/Aid in Dying: What Is the Nurse’s Role?” presents the panel discussion that occurred during a policy dialogue on aid in dying at the American Academy of Nursing’s annual conference in

This Month in AJN –  April 2018 monthly highlights April 2018Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and clinical editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the April issue of AJN. Among the key findings of our first CE, “Original Research: Recognizing Delirium in Hospitalized Children: A Systematic Review of the Evidence on Risk Factors and Characteristics,” was that delirium is multifactorial and related to treatment and to a hospital environment that deprives patients of normal sleep–wake cycles and familiar routines. Our second CE, “Lyme Disease: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention,” describes the clinical features of Lyme disease, the appropriate use of diagnostic tests, the recommended treatment, and evidence-based strategies for preventing tick-borne diseases. Our next article, “Environments and Health: The Great London Smog of 1952,” discusses the disaster’s impact on human health and subsequent pollution legislation—including the U.S. Clean Air Act—and its implications for nurses toda

This Month in AJN – March 2018 monthly highlightsMarch 2018Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy presents the highlights of the March issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, “Original Research: An Investigation into the Safety of Oral Intake During Labor,” compared the maternal and neonatal outcomes among laboring women permitted ad lib oral intake with those permitted nothing by mouth except for ice chips. Our second CE, “Malnutrition in Older Adults,” reviews the many cognitive, psychological, social, and economic factors that can affect the nutritional status of older adults, and how nurses can intervene to prevent and address malnutrition in these patients. Our next article, “Cultivating Quality: Expanding RN Scope of Practice to Include Lumbar Puncture,” discusses a QI initiative that enhanced access to neurology services in an ambulatory clinic by teaching nurses to perform lumbar puncture. “Supporting Family Caregivers: No Longer Home Alone: Teaching Wound Care to Family Caregivers” reviews methods to prom

This Month in AJN – February 2018 monthly highlightsFebruary 2018Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the February issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, “Original Research: Physical Activity Among Chinese American Immigrants with Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes,” describe a mixed-methods study that analyzed this population’s levels of exercise intensity and examined the types of activity performed, as well as the barriers to such activity. Our second CE, “Managing Sepsis and Septic Shock: Current Guidelines and Definitions,” discusses recent updates to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign’s sepsis treatment guidelines, changes in the sepsis bundle interventions, and the new definitions and predictive tools introduced in the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock. Our next article, “Moving Closer to the 2020 BSN-Prepared Workforce Goal,” report findings from the four-year Academic Progression in Nursing initiative to identify and d

This Month in AJN – January 2018 monthly highlights January 2018 Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the January issue of AJN. The authors of our first CE, “Oral Care for Head and Neck Cancer Symptom Management,” describe an evidence-based practice change at a radiation oncology center designed to reduce the severity of oral mucositis in adults receiving radiation treatment for head and neck cancer. Our second CE, “Managing Postoperative Pain,” reviews the recommendations of the American Pain Society’s postoperative pain management guideline, and discusses its historical context and the current events that may affect its implementation in clinical practice. Our next article, “Original Research: Increasing the Connectivity and Autonomy of RNs with Low-Risk Obstetric Patients,” describes a study that explored the perspectives of patients, RNs, certified nurse midwives, and other providers regarding a new prenatal connected care model aimed at reducing in-office

This Month in AJN –  December 2017 monthly highlightsDecember 2017Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the December issue of AJN. Our first CE, “Original Research: Does Certification in Vascular Access Matter? An Analysis of the PICC1 Survey,” explores whether and how certified and noncertified PICC inserters differ regarding their practices and views about PICC use. Our second CE, “Pressure Injuries Caused by Medical Devices and Other Objects: A Clinical Update,” provides a review of the etiology, identification, and prevention of pressure injuries caused by medical and other devices, plus highlights from the current National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel clinical guidelines. The authors of our next article, “Supporting Family Caregivers: No Longer Home Alone: Teaching Family Caregivers to Assist Safely with Mobility,” provide information nurses can use to educate family caregivers on mobility issues, including a tear sheet of key point

This Month in AJN –  November 2017 monthly highlights November 2017 Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the November issue of AJN. Our first CE, “Original Research: Primary Care Providers and Screening for Military Service and PTSD,” explores whether primary care providers in the private sector are screening patients for military service and subsequent posttraumatic stress disorder. Our second CE, “Preeclampsia: Current Approaches to Nursing Management,” provides a clinical update on current practice related to preeclampsia risk assessment, prediction, and management, plus pathophysiology. The author of our next article, “Creating a Fair and Just Culture in Schools of Nursing,” discusses strategies nursing schools can use to create a fair and just culture. “Perspectives in Palliative Nursing: Liberty and Justice for All” explores how circumstances faced by unauthorized immigrants can raise ethical quandaries regarding the principles o

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the October issue of AJN. Our first CE, “Original Research: Exploring How Nursing Schools Handle Student Errors and Near Misses,” investigates nursing school policies and practices for reporting and tracking student errors and near misses. Our second CE, “Assessing Patients During Septic Shock Resuscitation,” discusses how to integrate capillary refill time and skin mottling score into the perfusion reassessment after initial fluid resuscitation—as recommended by revisions to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign six-hour bundle. Our next article, “Sexually Speaking: Obesity and Sexual Dysfunction: Making the Connection,” reviews the evidence on obesity and sexual functioning, plus nursing considerations for addressing weight-loss strategies with patients. The author of “Question of Practice: Workarounds Are Routinely Used by Nurses—But Are They Ethical?” discusses how nurses can be creative problem solvers witho

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the September issue of the American Journal of Nursing. Our first CE, “Original Research: The Experience of Transitioning to a Caregiving Role for a Family Member with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Dementia,” explores the lived experiences of people who transitioned to the role of caregiver for a family member with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Our second CE, “Can Your Older Patients Drive Safely?,” discusses driving risks associated with advanced age, focusing on the behaviors and situations that put older drivers at greatest risk, as well as the key indicators of an older patient’s ability to drive safely. In our next article, “Emerging Infections: Six Things You Can Do Today to Prevent Hospital-Onset C. difficile Tomorrow,” the author suggests six changes to make in your practice to prevent transmission of this common bacterial infection. In “Legal Clinic: Lessons Learned from Litigati