Teaching basic dysrhythmias: what is the best approach?

Nurses' ability to accurately interpret cardiac dysrhythmias has resulted in decreased mortality. Four educational approaches to teaching dysrhythmia interpretation were evaluated. Major findings revealed learning was more effective when the lecture-discussion approach was used over a 5-week to 10-week period of time.

Student-oriented learning outlines: a valuable supplement to traditional instruction.

In a time of changing health care and funding restraints in institutions, continuing education and staff development departments are being challenged to produce better prepared nurses at reduced costs per employee. Improvements in how nurses are prepared are needed to ensure higher levels of competence without increasing the cost. This article describes the development and use of a practical strategy for mastery learning known as Student-Oriented Learning Outlines or SOLOs.

Lymphotoxin-beta receptor signaling complex: role of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 recruitment in cell death and activation of nuclear factor kappaB.

The binding of heterotrimeric lymphotoxin, LT alpha1 beta2, to the LTbeta receptor (LTbeta R), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, induces nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation and cell death in HT29 adenocarcinoma cells. We now show that treatment with LT alpha1 beta2 or agonistic LTbeta R antibodies causes rapid recruitment of TNFR-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) to the LTbeta R cytoplasmic domain. Further, stable overexpression of a TRAF3 mutant that lacks the RING and zinc finger domains inhibits LTbeta R-mediated cell death.

Apoptosis mediated by the TNF-related cytokine and receptor families.

T lymphocytes use several specialized mechanisms to induce apoptotic cell death. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related family of membrane-anchored and secreted ligands represent a major mechanism regulating cell death and cell survival. These ligands also coordinate differentiation of tissue to defend against intracellular pathogens and regulate development of lymphoid tissue.

Preparing nurses for the inevitable: the New Madrid earthquake.

Although this article discusses earthquake preparedness for the New Madrid seismic zone, registered nurses in any location will be on the front line as patient caregivers and managers in the event of a damaging earthquake. Two self-instructional modules were developed to educate registered nurses about earthquake preparedness. Statistical analyses of pretest and posttest scores from nurses who completed the modules and from nurses who participated in a control group reveal that the modules are effective educational tools.

Strategies for practice as a clinical nurse specialist in a small setting.

The size of setting impacts the clinical nurse specialist's (CNS) practice in a myriad of ways. The many differences between small and large settings that affect the CNS role are identified, and the roles of clinician, educator, executive, and researcher illuminate facts and provide examples that demonstrate the limitations and benefits of a small setting. The three specialty areas represented include oncology, cardiovascular, and gerontology/community health.