Students' perceptions of their learning experiences using high-fidelity simulation to teach concepts relative to obstetrics.

In this era of expanding technology, amidst a shortage of nursing faculty and clinical sites, there has been increasing emphasis on the use of simulation to enhance clinical learning. The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive study was to describe students' self-perceptions of their learning experiences using high-fidelity simulation in teaching concepts relative to obstetrics. A sample of 60 second-year associate of science in nursing (ASN) students attended simulation experiences in obstetrics in addition to required clinical time in a hospital.

The 20 item oral mucositis index: reliability and validity in bone marrow and stem cell transplant patients.

Precise quantification of oral complications in cancer patients receiving bone marrow and stem cell transplantation is essential when testing new treatment strategies for mucositis. Using 133 adult transplant patients, the authors evaluated the 20 item oral mucositis index (OMI), adapted from the 34 item OMI, to facilitate use by nondental health professionals. The OMI-20 consists of nine items measuring erythema, nine measuring ulceration, one measuring atrophy, and one measuring edema; all are scored from 0 = none to 3 = severe and summed for a total possible score of 0-60.