The American journal of nursing
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This is the fourth in a series of articles from Planetree, an international nonprofit organization founded in 1978 that's "committed to improving medical care from the patient's perspective." For more information, go to www.planetree.org.
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Despite advances in treatment of burn injuries and their consequent pain, wound care is the main source of the pain associated with burn injury. This two-part article explores burn pain and its treatment from a nursing perspective. Last month, Part 1 provided an overview of burn injury and addressed the wound care-related causes of burn pain, as well as its assessment and treatment. Part 2, presented here, provides a more in-depth discussion of pain management; topical medications and the psychological aspects of burn pain are also discussed.
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Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is the umbrella term for the clinical signs and symptoms of myocardial ischemia: unstable angina, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. This article further defines ACS and the conditions it includes; reviews its risk factors; describes its pathophysiology and associated signs and symptoms; discusses variations in its diagnostic findings, such as cardiac biomarkers and electrocardiographic changes; and outlines treatment approaches, including drug and reperfusion therapies.
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Burns are among the most intensely painful injuries. All patients will experience pain, regardless of the cause, size, or depth of the burn. Despite advances in topical wound care and pharmacology, and a growing emphasis on palliative care, wound care is the main source of the pain associated with burn injury. ⋯ In this two-part article, the author explores burn pain and its treatment from a nursing perspective. Part 1 provides an overview of burn injury and addresses the wound care-related causes of burn pain as well as its assessment and treatment. Part 2 will address the psychosocial aspects of burn pain and will provide a more in-depth discussion of pain management and topical medications.
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Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), by far the most common form of glaucoma, currently afflicts more than 2 million Americans, more than half of whom probably don't know they have it. Asymptomatic in the early stages, it gradually and progressively reduces the visual field and leads to blindness if untreated. ⋯ There is no single diagnostic test; screening and diagnosis involve periodic comprehensive eye evaluations. Treatment is aimed at delaying onset, slowing progression, and preserving vision.