CRNA : the clinical forum for nurse anesthetists
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Pain is the most common reason for the hospitalization of people with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). The epidemiology of this disease and limitations of available therapies suggest that HIV/AIDS pain will be a treatment challenge within and beyond the perioperative realm for some time to come. ⋯ Suggestions are provided for pain assessment in HIV/AIDS patients. Both pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment of pain in this complex population are described.
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Review Case Reports
Current perspectives on the perioperative management of the latex-allergic patient.
The increasing incidence of latex allergy necessitates thorough preanesthetic screening for risk factors, which will be delineated in this article, that are associated with latex allergy. The pathophysiology, epidemiology, and testing procedures for latex allergy will be reviewed. This case report will illustrate the management of a patient who was found to be latex-sensitive during surgery and the management of intraoperative anaphylaxis is provided. Safe perioperative care can be provided for latex-sensitive patients if latex avoidance techniques are used consistently.