Animal and human bites: Navigating evaluation and care.

Patients who have experienced animal or human bites may present for care in a number of settings with a variety of injuries requiring different approaches to treatment and management. Because animal and human bites range in severity and can result in a host of sequelae, their evaluation and management can be complex. In caring for patients with an animal or human bite, NPs must consider the many factors relevant to such an injury.

Orbital cellulitis: Key information for nurses.

Cellulitis is a soft tissue infection that presents with erythema, swelling, and pain. When the site of infection is around the eye, it is an ocular emergency. Recognizing orbital cellulitis and understanding its significance can lead to prompt treatment and prevention of untoward patient outcomes.

The Complexity of Trauma for LGBTQ+ People: Considerations for Acute and Critical Care.

Trauma care is complex. Acute and critical care clinicians perceive trauma as a skilled response to critical injury or accident that occurs to patients, but trauma exists on many levels. One of those is a grim reality for patients who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, and from other sexual and gender minorities (LGBTQ+).

Rheumatoid arthritis and DVT risk.

Studies show that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) compared with the general population. This article discusses the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of RA, explores the DVT risk in patients with RA, and outlines critical nursing actions to care for these patients.

Fostering sexual and gender minority status disclosure in patients.

Members of the sexual and gender minority (SGM) community face complex barriers to accessing quality healthcare. NPs have a responsibility to create welcoming care settings where patients can share a trusting provider-patient relationship to disclose their SGM status, an event shown to improve patient outcomes.

Eating disorders in men.

Eating disorders are traditionally thought of as a problem specific to women, but evidence suggests the disorders also occur in men. Identifying the problem and referring patients for treatment can be difficult. Understanding the nuances of these disorders and realizing the incidence in men is important, as it is often overlooked as a differential diagnosis.

Women with dysrhythmia: a clinical challenge.

There are identified differences in the electrophysiology structure and measurements in women and men. An understanding of these differences and of the increased incidence and prevalence of dysrhythmias in women, the differences in presentation, and the differences in risk factors for these dysrhythmias will help guide treatment decisions. As new knowledge is gained through research, practitioners can provide gender-specific care to women who have or are at increased risk of cardiac dysrhythmia.

Acute coronary syndromes and women: there are differences.

Coronary heart disease is underdiagnosed, undertreated, and under-researched in women, and the body of evidence points towards three explanations: sex-based physiology, provider bias, and psychosocial influences. This article examines each of these possible reasons for the gender differences in the treatment of coronary heart disease. Fortunately, as research evolves more is being learned about gender-specific aspects of care.

Gastric intubation: assessment and intervention.

When gastric intubation is the chosen method of providing enteral nutrition, a variety of factors must be considered. To choose the proper tube, whether it resides in the gastric area or is postpyloric, it is important to consider the patient's level of consciousness, the duration of feeding, and the patient's overall status. Proper assessment, confirmation of tube placement, and nursing vigilance greatly reduce the likelihood of complications.