Nursing times
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Neuropathic pain and its co-morbidities can be detrimental to a patient's quality of life, affecting both physical and psychological well-being. Diagnosing neuropathic pain can be difficult and some patients may have to wait up to 12 months to see a pain specialist. The nursing contribution to recognising and managing neuropathic pain is vital if patient care is to be improved. It is therefore necessary for nurses to understand the assessment, diagnosis and management of neuropathic pain.
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The concept of brainstem death is relatively new and has been developed in response to advances in medical treatment such as mechanical ventilation. The idea that it is the same as death of the whole person has been tested in medical research and legally, which has provided evidence to support the withdrawal of advanced medical treatment and for discussion of organ donation.
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Withdrawing treatment from a patient is a difficult decision. Samantha Prigmore uses an ethical framework to explore how complex clinical dilemmas can be addressed. She also provides a brief introduction to ethics and ethical principles.