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JULY – DECEMBER 2006 VOL-7, NO.2 THE ROLE OF ENTEROSTOMAL THERAPIST * Ida Anitha Nagomi R., M.Sc (N) ABSTRACT The current trend among nursing professionals is to encourage nurses at all levels to develop specialized knowledge and skills in their relevant clinical specialities. One such clinical speciality that seeks growing attention in today’s health care is “Enterostomal Care”. It is mandatory for nurses working in surgical units who are required to care for stoma patients, to develop knowledge and skills in the field of Enterostomal care. In this article the role of Enterostomal Therapist is presented with specific relevance to aims, nursing functions, teaching, management, liaison, rehabilitation, record maintenance and research. The importance of specialized training and initiation of stoma care services are highlighted. It is hoped that through this article, the professional colleagues in our country will realize the importance of training nurses to be Enterostomal Therapists and through our service, offer hope to thousands of ostomates. PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF PRESSURE SORES * Josephine Sukumaran, M.Sc (N) ABSTRACT Incidence of pressure sores, in all health care settings remain unacceptably high. The prevention of pressure sores includes relieving pressure, improving mobility, maintaining adequate sensory perception, tissue perfusion, nutritional status, and avoiding friction and shear forces (Smeltzer & Bare, 2001). In this article prevention and management of pressure sores are discussed. The management aspects of pressure sore, particularly nursing management are highlighted with specific reference to a case study of a patient with pressure sores. The risk factors, predictors and preventive measures are also discussed. CONTINUOUS VERSUS INTERMITTENT NASOGASTRIC TUBE FEEDING IN PREMATURE NEONATES * Ebenezer Ellen Benjamin, M.Sc (N) ABSTRACT A descriptive comparative study was conducted in the Neonatal unit of Christian Medical College, Vellore, to compare the effects of continuous versus intermittent nasogastric tube feeding in premature neonates weighing less than 1500 gms. Routinely the method of feeding premature neonates is selected based on the clinician's choice. The purpose of the study was to identify the best method of enteral feeding based on scientific evidence. A convenience sample of 60 neonates who met the inclusion criteria were selected for the study. They were randomly assigned to two groups with thirty in each group. These neonates who had received continuous in one group and intermittent feeding in another group were observed for feed tolerance, weight gain per day, duration of hospital stay, number of days required to reach birth weight and full feeds. The findings revealed that the weight gain was better and the number of days required to reach birth weight was lesser in continuous feeding than in the intermittent nasogastric tube feeding. However there was no significant difference in terms of number of days required to reach full feeds and the duration of hospital stay in both intermittent and continuous nasogastric tube feeding groups. CONTINUING EDUCATION SERIES - NO: 11 * Jasmin Anand, M.Sc (N) ABSTRACT Kidneys can withstand substantial loss of functional tissue before showing signs of insufficiency that may lead to a life on dialysis. Renal function decline and failure is a final common pathway for a number of disease processes and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is very important to know the high incidence of this disease, it's multiple causes, significant morbidity and the logical clinical approach to renal failure which will help to illuminate the cause and then to proceed to a proper therapy. The nurse's role in the prevention of acute deterioration of renal function in renal insufficiency includes knowledge of risk factors, the clinical manifestations, management and an appropriate teaching plan. This article reviews vital information related to acute renal failure and will equip the nursing personnel to provide appropriate and timely care to the patients.
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