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How do nurses and teachers perform breast self-examination: are they reliable sources of information?

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. The aim of the present study was to determine and compare knowledge, behavior and attitudes among female nurses and teachers concerning breast self-examination (BSE).MethodsTwo-hundred and eighty nine women working in Aydin, Turkey (125 nurses and 164 teachers) were included in the study. The data were collected using a questionnaire designed to measure the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of the groups. Analysis involved percentiles, χ2 tests, t tests and factor analysis.ResultsThe knowledge of nurses about BSE was higher than that of teachers (81.5% versus 45.1%; p < 0.001). BSE practice parameters (i.e. age groups, indications, frequency) were similar (p > 0.05), whereas skills in performing self-examination were higher in nurses (p < 0.001). Fear of having breast cancer is the most frequent reason for performing BSE. Among nurses, the reasons for failure to perform BSE were the absence of prominent breast problems (82%) and forgetting (56.4%). The teachers who did not perform BSE said that the reasons were lack of knowledge on how to perform self-examination (68.9%) and absence of problems (54%). Both groups had unacceptable technical errors in the performance of BSE.ConclusionWe conclude that nurses and teachers should be supported with information enabling them to accomplish their roles in the community. To improve BSE practice, it is crucial to coordinate continuous and planned education.

Determination of Nursing Diagnoses Used by Students in the First Clinical Practice

PURPOSE This study was carried out descriptively with the purpose of determining nursing diagnoses that nursing freshmen students used in their first clinical practice. METHODS The sample of the study consisted of 61 nursing students. Data of the study were collected with the examination of 208 care plans that the students had prepared. Nursing diagnoses in the examined care plans were classified according to nursing diagnoses grouped under the domains of Taxonomy II NANDA-I. RESULTS Students determined 31 different diagnoses in nine domains of NANDA-I. Total nursing diagnoses used in care plans were 635. CONCLUSIONS It was determined that the nursing diagnoses that the students mostly used, according to classification of NANDA-I, were in the domains of safety/protection, activity/rest, comfort, elimination and exchange, and nutrition.

Oral Chlorhexidine Against Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia and Microbial Colonization in Intensive Care Patients:

The aim of this systematic review was to determine the effect of chlorhexidine at different concentration and frequency on ventilator-associated pneumonia and microbial colonization in mechanically ventilated patients. Relevant studies in English language were identified by searching data bases between January 2010 and December 2017. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria. Chlorhexidine with 0.2% concentration was found to be more effective than the control group (placebo dental gel and normal saline) in preventing the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia in three of the eight studies. Twice-daily application was found to be effective reducing the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia in three studies using 0.2% and 2% chlorhexidine. Microbial colonization was found to be less in 2% chlorhexidine group than herbal mouth wash 0.9% NaCl and 0.2% chlorhexidine in three studies. Chlorhexidine is an effective intervention in oral care for ventilator-associated pneumonia and microbial colonization.