Leonel Preto

Efeitos de um programa de enfermagem de reabilitação na aptidão funcional de idosos institucionalizados

Background: Functional fitness is essential for the autonomous performance of activities of daily living. The functional fitness of the el...

Effects of web-based electrocardiography simulation on strategies and learning styles

OBJECTIVE To identify the association between the use of web simulation electrocardiography and the learning approaches, strategies and styles of nursing degree students. METHOD A descriptive and correlational design with a one-group pretest-posttest measurement was used. The study sample included 246 students in a Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support nursing class of nursing degree. RESULTS No significant differences between genders were found in any dimension of learning styles and approaches to learning. After the introduction of web simulation electrocardiography, significant differences were found in some item scores of learning styles: theorist (p < 0.040), pragmatic (p < 0.010) and approaches to learning. CONCLUSION The use of a web electrocardiogram (ECG) simulation is associated with the development of active and reflexive learning styles, improving motivation and a deep approach in nursing students.

Fragilidad, composición corporal y estado nutricional en ancianos no institucionalizados

OBJECTIVE Frailty is a clinical syndrome characterized, among other signs, by involuntary weight loss and decreased muscle strength. The aim of this study was to analyse associations between frailty, body composition and nutritional status in non-institutionalised elderly people in the municipality of Alfândega (Braganza-Portugal). METHOD Observational, prevalence and association study involving 220 elderly (mean 75.8±6.8 years of age; 68.8% women). Frailty was assessedt according to Fried criteria, body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis and nutritional status using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form. RESULTS The prevalence of frailty was 23.6%. Frail participants had, on average, lower total muscle mass and lower segmental muscle mass (arms and legs) than pre-frail and non-frail (p <.001). From the elderly at risk of malnutrition or undernourished (n=24), the majority (n=13) had frailty syndrome. It was observed that 41.2% of the elderly with low weight were frail. This syndrome prevailed only in 17.1% of the eutrophic persons, increasing again to 22.4% in the overweight group (p <.001). CONCLUSION The phenotypic profile of frail elderly was characterised by lower muscle mass. The results of our study suggest that both underweight and overweight may be associated with frailty. There is the need to prevent and manage frailty, not only taking into account possible treatable medical causes, but also by intervening in important pillars, such as physical activity, dietary and nutritional problems.

Qualidade de vida e saúde de pessoas submetidas a cirurgia de descompressão do nervo mediano

Theoretical framework: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a musculoskeletal disorder affecting the functionality of the upper limbs. Objective: To assess s...

Frailty and associated risk factors in independent older people living in rural areas

Background: The diagnosis of the frailty syndrome is essential in the planning of elderly health interventions. Objective: To assess the prevalence of frailty among older people living in rural communities and its associated factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 435 elderly subjects who were classified according to the frailty phenotype. The following instruments were also applied: Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ), Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Barthel Index (BI), and Lawton And Brody Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living (IADL) Scale. Association tests, mean comparison tests, and correlation analysis (p < 0.05) were used. Results: The sample (74.3 ± 7.1 years) was predominantly female (62.3%) and showed prevalence rates of 33.3% for non-frailty, 46.2% for pre-frailty, and 20.5% for frailty. Frailty was associated with self-perceived health, pain intensity, use of walking aids, and sensory problems. Frail older people were more dependent on activities of daily living. Conclusion: Stronger correlations were found between frailty and the CCI and ELB scores, age, and number of medications per day, in this order.

Functional and nutritional status of older adults admitted to a general surgery ward

Background: Disease-related functional impairment and malnutrition increase the risk of adverse health outcomes. Objective: To establish a correlation between functional capacity and nutritional status in patients aged over 65 years who were admitted to a general surgery ward. Methodology: Descriptive and correlational study with a quantitative approach. The sample was composed of 89 older adults (78,0 ± 6,9 years) admitted to a general surgery ward. Participants were selected using the convenience sampling technique. The research protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee. Patients’ functional capacity was assessed using the Barthel Index (BI) and the Lawton and Brody Scale (LBS), and the nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form (MNA-SF). Results: The prevalence of malnutrition was 16.9%. Both BI and LBS scores showed a positive correlation with the MNA-SF scores (R = 0.400, p < 0.01 vs R = 0.267, p < 0.05). The oldest inpatients had lower BI, LBS, and MNA-SF scores (p < 0.01). Inpatients with a better functional and nutritional status had greater grip strength in the dominant hand (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Based on the association found between functional capacity and nutritional status, it is recommended to screen surgical patients for these conditions.

Desempenho do reanimador durante seis minutos de compressões torácicas realizadas em ambiente simulado

Background: The performance of quality chest compressions according to the international guidelines affects the outcomes and survival in cardiac arrest. Obj...

Análise por Fotogrametria da Postura e Fatores de Risco Associados em Crianças e Adolescentes Escolarizados

Theoretical framework: Several spinal problems and misalignments begin during puberty and can be associated to poor posture. Objetives: To characterise the p...

Enfermagem portuguesa: análise da produção e divulgação do conhecimento através de repositórios institucionais

Theoretical framework: Nursing bases its practices in analytical reasoningand the best evidence available. Institutional repositories add a newdimension to i...

Institutionalized elderly rehabilitation- effects on physical fitness and quality of life

RESULTS Disuse syndrome is a disorder that is most often associated with acute or chronic disease complications. Despite disuse syndrome may affect all organs and systems, the impact of range of motion limitations caused by immobility on functional capacity to perform activities of daily living is often very severe. Mobilization and active exercise have beneficial effects that counteract the impact of immobility on the body.RESULTS Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. During the postoperative period, the prolonged bed rest increases the possible occurrence of systemic complications, resulting from immobilization. Knowing that physical exercise balances the blood pressure and taking into account its benefits, we tried to analyze the hemodynamic behavior of the patient in PO after exercise sessions in the ICU.RESULTS According to the Portuguese Ministry of Health there are in Portugal more than 9500 femoral neck fractures each year, which reached hospital expenses of around 52 million euros. The same source estimates the mortality from 20% to 30% over a year after fracture; referring to severe disability it reaches a prevalence of 40% in the same period. Scientific evidence points out that hip fractures tend to occur more often in the elderly, especially after age 85 (Marks, Allegrante, MacKenzie, & Lane, 2002), and are more common in women. There is an increased incidence of proximal femur fractures with age due to the increase of intrinsic factors and the decrease of functionality (Bloch, et al., 2010) and the loss of mineral density and bone mass associated with aging (Wei., Hu. Wang., & Hwang, 2001). We believe that the description of the fall and its characteristics could improve our understanding of the biomechanics of this process.