摘要:

2',3'-Dideoxyinosine (ddl) is a dideoxynucleoside currently in Phase I, II, and III trials for antiretroviral therapy. It has been shown to cause objective and subjective improvement in people with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This drug, as with any drug, is not without toxicity. Through thorough patient education and clinical evaluation, incidence of these toxicities may be lessened or avoided.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Support groups have been suggested as the best way to help individuals with AIDS to cope. The purpose of this research was to determine whether participation in an AIDS support group would significantly decrease the level of anxiety and hopelessness in individuals with AIDS. Subjects in the study were volunteers from three support groups at AID Atlanta. The groups included (a) 11 men with classic AIDS. (b) 6 men with AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC), and (c) 5 minority women with AIDS or ARC. A demographic form and two questionnaires that dealt with anxiety and hopelessness were administered as a pretest and posttest. The results of the demographic data analyses showed that groups 1 and 2 were similar, whereas group 3 was dissimilar to both groups 1 and 2. Findings further indicate that group 3 had a significantly greater decrease in hopelessness scores after participating in the AIDS support group. This group also had a greater decrease in anxiety scores but not at a significant level. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that participation in an AIDS support group does decrease the level of anxiety and hopelessness. Therefore, the impact on society is to educate individuals with AIDS and professional persons who work with this population to be aware of the pscyhological benefits that support groups do provide these individuals.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

An international nursing research study examined the ethical decision-making of “good and experienced” registered nurses in eight countries. The subjects were asked about their decision to feed or not to feed a hypothetical terminally ill, mentally alert, elderly cancer patient who refuses to eat. Cultural variations were demonstrated in the decisions as well as differences in ethical justification. The majority of nurses who would not feed appeared to use the principle of autonomy, whereas nurses who would feed the patient used beneficence as justification. Conditions under which nurses would change their decision to either feed or not feed the patient against her will included doctor's orders and lack of peer support for the decision. The majority of nurses clearly experienced a dilemma.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This exploratory study measured the degree of loneliness experienced by adult cancer patients. All were in the initial phases of the illness, that is, currently receiving treatment consisting of either chemotherapy or radiation therapy on an outpatient basis and/or recuperating from surgery in the home setting. All were within 100 days of initial diagnosis of cancer. The UCLA Loneliness Scale by Peplau was used in measuring loneliness. In addition, the coping methods of this same group of patients were examined using the Jalowiec Coping Scale to determine predominant methods of coping with the situational crisis imposed by cancer diagnosis and treatment. The instruments were administered in the home or in an outpatient setting and patients were accessed through cancer treatment centers and from oncologists in the southern Illinois area. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of loneliness, to identify predominant coping methods, and to discern the relationship, if any, between coping methods employed and the degree of loneliness reported by the adult cancer patients. The conceptual framework chosen for the study was taken from the work of Lazarus and Jalowiec with regard to coping: the work of Peplau, Russell, and Cutrone on loneliness formed the conceptual basis for the portion of the study regarding that dimension. A total of 41 cancer patients were surveyed—21 were male and 20 were female. The median age was 60 years, and the mean educational level was 10.5 years. There were significant differences found between loneliness scores by age categories and by marital status, as well as a relationship between membership in organizations and loneliness scores. There were significant relationships found between coping methods (confrontive, emotive, palliative) employed and the degree of loneliness experienced by these cancer patients. Coping methods were also ranked by frequency of use, and interesting patterns emerged—especially noteworthy were group findings regarding most-versus least-preferred methods. Based on the sample results of this small study, a profile of vulnerability emerges for the adult cancer patient within 100 days of diagnosis. Nursing interventions aimed at alleviating loneliness and facilitating positive coping are indicated, as well as the need for continued study with an expanded population.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

In the Netherlands Cancer Institute, the daily workload of nurses has been measured since 1976. Each day the head nurse ranks the patients into one of the seven categories of care requirements. It can be inferred from the data that the percentage of patients who need intensive nursing care has doubled from 30% in 1976 to more than 60% in 1989. The increase in the nursing staff has only partially kept abreast of the increase in the workload. In addition to this simple technique, a more refined “factor evaluation system” has been developed. On the basis of this method, a more detailed check can be made as to what connection there is between the characteristics of the patient, the particular disease and treatment on the one hand, and the nursing workload on the other. Because of this it is possible to assess and to predict the consequences for nursing care when a new therapy is introduced. The correlation between both assessment methods is good: 0.72. A plea is made to use both methods of assessment in conjunction: the simple method for assessing the daily workload, and the refined and thus more laborious method to analyze the factors responsible for changes in the workload. In view of the rapid dissemination of new oncological therapies, it is essential that international consensus be reached with regard to a method for measuring the workload of nurses. In this way the consequences of these new therapies for the workload of nurses might be known more rapidly and proper measures could be taken.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

This study was designed to determine (a) the relationship of coping style to cancer chemotherapy side efects and (b) whether coping style moderated the impact of a relaxation intervention on anxiety, depression, and nausea associated with chemotherapy. Forty-eight cancer patients were assigned randomly to receive either progressive muscle relaxation training before chemotherapy (experimental group) or standard care (control group). Spearman correlations indicated that a “blunting” or distraction-oriented coping style was associated with less anticipatory anxiety, less depression, and less nausea during and after chemotherapy. Spearman correlations also indicated that a “monitoring” or information-gathering coping style was associated with more anticipatory anxiety, and more nausea before and during chemotherapy. Although there was a signijicant effect of the relaxation intervention on posttreatment nausea, there were no other between-group differences. The results did suggest, however, that relaxation was efective in reducing anticipatory anxiety among “blunters,” but not “monitors,” perhaps because relaxation is a distraction strategy and therefore is consistent with a blunting coping style. The effects of coping and relaxation on pretreatment anxiety may have important implications, because anxiety is a key factor in classic conditioning models of anticipatory nausea and vomiting.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women in the United States. Although the disease itself may be chronic in nature, it may give rise to oncologic emergencies, such as hypercalcemia, superior vena cava syndrome, or spinal cord compression. If these emergencies are not prevented or treated promptly through early detection, premature death or disability may occur. Because it presents with general symptoms, hypercalcemia may be difficult to diagnose; however, early recognition and intervention may reverse the sequelae of this condition, and prevent recurrence. This article will focus on the pathophysiology, epidemiology, nursing assessment, and intervention in a case study of this oncologic emergency based on the Orem model.

ISSN:0162-220X    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1990

数据来源: OVID