Herbal Medication to Enhance or Modulate Viral Infections.

Viral infections and their emergence continue to pose a threat to human lives. Up to the present, there are limited numbers of vaccines that effectively work and few antivirals licensed for use in clinical practice. Added to this is the increase in antiviral resistance, meaning that drugs that do work are at risk of reduced efficacy.

Herbal Medications Used to Ameliorate Cardiac Conditions.

Herbs have been used for centuries to treat various diseases, including cardiovascular disease. Herbs may be used by clients exclusively for disease management or in combination with conventional medications. This article increases provider awareness of certain herbs and their potential use by clients, as well as their impact on the cardiovascular system.

Infection-Related Glomerular Disease.

Glomerular disease results from a complex process. It can occur following acute illnesses or chronic diseases from other organs and body parts that promote bacterial invasion. Assessment and initial identification of the cause of this process is important in order to initiate interventions that promote a return to wellness.

Gastrointestinal Traumatic Injuries: Gastrointestinal Perforation.

The abdomen is a big place even in a small person. Gastrointestinal trauma can result in injury to the stomach, small bowel, colon, or rectum. Traumatic causes include blunt or penetrating trauma, such as gunshot wounds, stabbings, motor vehicle collisions, and crush injuries.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Movement Disorders.

Disruption in the interaction between the central nervous system, nerves, and muscles cause movement disorders. These disorders can negatively affect quality of life. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been identified as a therapy for Parkinson disease and essential tremor that has significant advantages compared with medicinal therapies.

Orthopedic Injuries: Protocols to Prevent and Manage Patient Falls.

Health care organizations must adopt a culture of safety and implement effective fall prevention protocols. The teach-back method is a useful strategy for health providers to determine patient understanding of information taught to maintain a safe environment and prevent falls. Purposeful rounding is a proactive approach to ensure that patient assessments are accurate and research supports that patients use the call light less when nurses participate in hourly rounding.

Role of research in best practices.

Evidence based care (EBP) is imperative to the promotion of best practices. EBP forms the foundation for safe, efficient, and cost-effective patient management. It gives nurses the ability to implement care activities with proved outcomes and validate interventions from a database of sources.

Regional, annual, and individual variations in the dihydroxyacetone content of the nectar of ma̅nuka (Leptospermum scoparium) in New Zealand.

A method was designed and validated for the analysis of dihydroxyacetone in the floral nectar of ma̅nuka (Leptospermum scoparium). The method was applied to samples collected from different regions of the North Island and the Nelson region of the upper South Island of New Zealand during the period 2009-2012 as well as to nectar samples from some Australian Leptospermum species. The ratio of dihydroxyacetone to total sugar (DHA/Tsugar) was classified as low (<0.

Nuclear scan studies in critical care.

The field of nuclear cardiology has grown significantly over the past decade. This is a reflection of the value seen by providers in these safe and effective procedures. Nuclear scan studies are noninvasive and versatile in their usefulness.

Radiographic studies in the critical care environment.

Critical care patients present with or develop conditions that require imaging with a variety of radiographic methods. Technological advances such as the introduction of digital imaging instead of screen-film radiography have improved image resolution, readability, management, and portability of results while maintaining confidentiality of patient information. Radiographic imaging in the critical care unit is an integral part of patient management.