Nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management in hospitalized adults.

Background: Pain management is a key component of patient satisfaction and well-being in acute care settings. Nurses spend more time with patients than any other members of the health care team and play a major role in pain management.

Methods: This descriptive study in an urban tertiary care hospital explored the knowledge and attitudes of registered nurses regarding pain management.

Accuracy of tobramycin levels obtained from central venous access devices in patients with cystic fibrosis is technique dependent.

Objective: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) frequently require prolonged aminoglycoside antibiotic therapy administered via central venous access devices (CVADs). Therefore, the effect of the volume of saline flush used prior to drawing blood on tobramycin levels obtained from CVADs was investigated to determine the potential for inappropriate drug dosing decisions.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective study comparing tobramycin levels in blood samples obtained simultaneously from CVADs and from venipuncture.