Alcohol withdrawal during hospitalization.

Am J Nurs. 2011 Jan;111(1):40-4; quiz 45-6

Authors: Keys VA

OVERVIEW: For a chronic drinker, sudden alcohol withdrawal because of an unexpected hospitalization can lead to escalating withdrawal symptoms and even death if unrecognized and untreated. Nurses need to be aware of the prevalence of alcohol abuse in the United States and consider the possibility of unplanned alcohol withdrawal in their patients. This article discusses the effects on the body of chronic alcohol intake, the potential symptoms of alcohol withdrawal, and ways to recognize and treat these symptoms through early assessment and consistent intervention.

PMID: 21191232 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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‘It depends’: medical residents’ perspectives on working with nurses.

Am J Nurs. 2009 Jul;109(7):34-43; quiz 44

Authors: Weinberg DB, Miner DC, Rivlin L

OBJECTIVE: Using the theory of relational coordination, which holds that in high-pressure settings such as hospitals, high-quality communication and strong relationships are necessary for coordinated action, we sought to determine the quality of the nurse-physician relationship by examining the communication and interaction between nurses and residents from the residents’ perspective. METHODS: A sample of 20 medical and surgical residents, selected by a snowball sampling technique, were interviewed about the quality of their communication and relationships with nurses in the workplace. RESULTS: Residents’ responses were influenced by their perceptions of nurses’ cooperativeness and competence, and their impressions of nurses’ professional preparation and demeanor varied widely. Although 19 of 20 residents reported instances of poor communication or problematic relationships with nurses, most believed that this posed no significant threat to patient care because the nurses’ role, as they saw it, was one of simply following orders. CONCLUSIONS: Given the strong doubts some residents expressed about nurses’ cooperativeness and competence, the nursing profession should consider strengthening nursing education and clearly delineating nurses’ roles and competencies.

PMID: 19546639 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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