Best Practice for Delivering Small-Volume Intermittent Intravenous Infusions.

This study investigated the delivery of small-volume intermittent intravenous (IV) infusions. Laboratory protocol evaluated potential medication loss among 6 administration methods using 50- and 100-mL solutions. Significant variations existed in calculated medication loss depending on administration method and volume.

Alcohol Use and Activity Limitations in Gout Patients.

Background: Few studies have evaluated whether patients with a diagnosis of gout adhere to alcohol use recommendations and the relationship between adherence and activity limitations.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine adherence to American College of Rheumatology (ACR) alcohol use recommendations and evaluate the relationship between alcohol use and activity limitations in persons with gout.

Method: A secondary analysis was performed with a sample of 298 persons with gout from the 2008 National Health Interview Survey.

An update on gout for primary care providers.

This article discusses the current beliefs regarding the pathogenesis of gout and reviews the 2012 guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology regarding diagnostic testing, optimal treatments, and lifestyle modifications. Implementing these guidelines will assist clinicians in resolving acute episodes and managing gout long term, improving outcomes and quality of life.

Effect of nurse navigation on patient care satisfaction and distress associated with breast biopsy.

Background: Navigation during the biopsy period is a superior approach to delivering care, with those patients receiving services experiencing less distress. Critical nurse navigator roles include providing information and facilitating access to the healthcare system, both of which are influential on distress. The information in this article supports the expansion of navigation programs to include women undergoing biopsy and aids in promoting a higher standard of care.

Incidence of distress and associated factors in women undergoing breast diagnostic evaluation.

The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence of distress and factors associated with distress in women undergoing breast diagnostic evaluations. A total of 128 women undergoing a breast biopsy at three hospitals completed a set of nine standardized instruments. The presence of distress was identified with 14% having symptoms above the cutoff point for clinical anxiety.

Experiences of non-navigated women undergoing breast diagnostic evaluation.

During the diagnostic period, women need appropriate, timely information regarding tests and procedures. Nurse navigator programs were developed to combat the negative effects on survival that are caused by delays in the diagnosis of breast cancer and lack of support from the healthcare team. Nurse navigators decreased barriers to care, increased patient satisfaction, and lowered anxiety in women undergoing diagnostic evaluation.

Health-promotion behaviors and psychological distress in cancer survivors.

Purpose/objectives: To determine whether cancer survivors engage in health-promotion behaviors, to evaluate the extent of their experience of psychological distress, and to investigate the relationship between the practice of health-promotion behaviors and psychological distress.

Design: Cross-sectional secondary data analysis.

Setting: A national, face-to-face interview conducted by personnel of the U.

Efficacy of a midcurricular examination for predicting nursing student academic success.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the HESI midcurricular examination in identifying at-risk students earlier in their nursing career. This study used quantitative measures to examine the relationship between the HESI midcurricular examination and the student's success in the nursing program and their performance on the HESI-E2 and the NCLEX-RN. In logistic regression models, the score attained on the HESI midcurricular examination was a significant predictor of academic and NCLEX-RN success, with significant differences in scores between those who were and were not successful.

Predictability associated with exit examinations: a literature review.

The aims of this review are to study the accuracy of commercial examinations for predicting NCLEX-RN® success to determine whether there are significant differences in scores for graduates who pass the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt compared with those who do not and to discuss the implications of the findings in relation to progression policies. The most widely reported relationships between standardized test scores and NCLEX-RN success are associated with the Health Education Systems, Inc. (HESI) Exit Examination.

Usefulness of a midcurricular examination for identifying at-risk nursing students.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the Health Education Systems, Inc, midcurricular examination in identifying at-risk students earlier in their nursing career. This study used quantitative measures to examine the relationship between the Health Education Systems, Inc, midcurricular examination and the students' success in the nursing program and their performance on the HESI exit examination and the NCLEX-RN. Statistically significant correlations were found between the score attained on the Health Education Systems, Inc, midcurricular examination and the students' admission grade point average and the grade point average at the time of the Health Education Systems, Inc, midcurricular examination, the students' score on the HESI exit examination, and their performance in the capstone nursing courses.