Rapid Handheld Continuous Electroencephalogram (EEG) Has the Potential to Detect Delirium in Older Adults.

Background: Delirium-related biochemical derangements lead to electrical changes that can be detected in electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns followed by behavioral signs and symptoms. Studies using limited lead EEG show a large difference between patients with and without delirium while discriminating delirium from other causes. Handheld rapid EEG devices may be capable of detecting delirium before symptom onset, thus providing an objective physiological method to detect delirium when it is most amenable to interventions.

Is Perception Reality? Using Person-in-Context Simulation to Promote Empathic Understanding of Dementia Among Nurse Practitioner Students.

This one-group nonexperimental pretest/posttest repeated-measures design plus interpretative phenomenological analysis explored nurse practitioner students' perceptions of dementia using virtual simulation. Perceptions of dementia and its associated challenges differed after the simulation. A critical theme that emerged was "developing empathic understanding"; the two subthemes were "mirroring dementia behaviors" and "provoking emotions.

Nursing staff participation in end-of-life nutrition and hydration decision-making in a nursing home: A qualitative study.

Aim: To better understand the participation of nursing staff in end-of-life nutrition and hydration decision-making in an American nursing home.

Design: A qualitative exploration with ethnographic focus.

Methods: In April 2017, in-person, semi-structured interviews were performed with 19 nursing staff members in a nursing home located in the south-eastern United States.

Family Influences on Patients' Decisions to Undergo Bariatric Surgery.

Bariatric surgery is the treatment of choice for many obese patients. Although bariatric surgery has recognized benefits, some patients wait several years before deciding to proceed and many patients rely on family member advice and support during the decision-making process. Using a secondary qualitative analysis of transcribed interviews, we examined family member influences on the patient's decision to undergo bariatric surgery.

Screenings, Savings, and Service: Nurses Meeting Rural Older Adults in Their Communities.

Falls, depression, and dementia are major health concerns for older adults and communities across the country, which also result in increased health care expenditures. The improvement of early intervention is a tremendous need, especially for older adults who are isolated in rural areas. Nurses were deployed across 41 counties in eastern North Carolina to increase access to screening and improve the possibility of early intervention for rural community-dwelling older adults.

Choosing the Right Delirium Assessment Tool.

Delirium is an increasing concern with current combined annual costs for the United States and Europe of approximately $350 billion. Although standardized definitions and diagnostic criteria exist, more than 80% of delirium in the acute care setting is overlooked or misdiagnosed. Delays in identification result in increases in severity and mortality and a reduction in quality of life.

Nicaraguan and US nursing collaborative evaluation study: Identifying similarities and differences between US and Nicaraguan curricula and teaching modalities using the community engagement model.

Background: Curricula evaluation is an essential phase of curriculum development. Study describes the implementation of a formative evaluation used by faculty members between Universidad Nacional Autonóma de Nicaragua (UNAN-Leon) Escuela de Enfermeriá, Nicaragua and East Carolina University College of Nursing (ECU CON) in North Carolina, US.

Objectives: Program evaluation study to conduct an assessment, comparison of a medical-surgical adult curriculum and teaching modalities.

Tipping point: factors influencing a patient's decision to proceed with bariatric surgery.

Background: Despite the fact that bariatric surgery is the most effective intervention for morbid obesity, only a fraction of obese patients, even after undergoing evaluation for surgery, decide to undergo the surgery. Opting out by patients is fairly common yet little is known about factors that lead a patient to decide to undergo surgery.

Objective: The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify factors that "tipped the scales" in the patient's experience leading to a decision to move ahead with surgery.

Enhancing nursing care by understanding the bariatric patient's journey.

Patients who undergo obesity-related bariatric surgery seek a lasting solution to weight loss and a desire for a healthier lifestyle. Perioperative nurses should be prepared to provide sensitive, high-quality care to this population. Effective assessment and management of bariatric patients involves understanding the motivating factors for seeking bariatric surgery, such as to address the stigma and health problems associated with obesity.

Measuring HIV Knowledge Among Women Incarcerated in Jail.

Incarcerated women often have arresting behaviors that are also high risk for acquiring HIV, such as drug use and sex work. Little research has been done related to HIV knowledge among women in jail. This study assessed HIV knowledge among English-speaking women 18 years and older detained in a large, Southeastern jail (N = 202).

Men living with HIV and experiencing sexual dysfunction: an analysis of treatment options.

Men living with HIV (MLWH), especially younger MLWH, may experience sexual dysfunction in greater numbers than men without HIV infection. This manuscript describes the prevalence of two major causative factors of sexual dysfunction in MLWH: hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction. A description of assessment and evaluation is presented.

The crisis of IRIS: what every nurse should know about immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in patients infected with HIV.

Most health care providers are aware that beginning combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) for patients infected with HIV has reduced morbidity of AIDS-related opportunistic infections and subsequently reduced HIV-related mortality. Effective ART leads to significantly reduced viral loads and increased CD4+ T cell counts, especially in the first few months after initiation. ART stimulates immune system reconstitution, thereby reducing the risk of exacerbation or acquisition of an opportunistic infection.

Using a student response system to reduce academic cheating.

Communication technologies have increased academic integrity violations in nursing programs. Previous methods to reduce cheating may not be sufficient to circumvent the technology-savvy student. Teaching outcomes have improved using technology such as the student response system.

Factors influencing adherence to antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected female inmates.

New HIV cases are increasing among women, especially women of color. Moreover, the rate of infection for incarcerated women is twice that of incarcerated men. With advances in medication therapy, HIV has become a chronic illness that can be successfully treated, provided the patient is able to achieve adherence with the prescribed antiretroviral medication regimen.

Improving wound care simulation with the addition of odor: a descriptive, quasi-experimental study.

Improving problem-solving skills and expertise in complex clinical care provision requires engaging students in the learning process--a challenging goal when clinical practicums and supervisors are limited. High-fidelity simulation has created many new opportunities for educating healthcare professionals. Because addressing malodorous wounds is a common problem that may be difficult to "teach," a descriptive, quasi-experimental simulation study was conducted.

Inequities in screening for sexually transmitted infections in African American adolescents: can health policy help?

Although rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in African Americans are higher than other populations, there are disparities in the screening and treatment of STIs for African American adolescents. Many African Americans distrust the health care system, resulting in a reluctance to seek health care. Adolescents may lack access to and the resources to pay for health care.