Ajn The American Journal Of Nursing - This Month In Ajn

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the August issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover, a mother and her newborn share skin-to-skin contact. Our first CE, “Tuberculosis: A New Screening Recommendation and an Expanded Approach to Elimination in the United States,” provides a general overview of tuberculosis transmission, pathogenesis, and epidemiology, presents pre­ventive care recommendations for targeted testing among high-risk groups, and discusses a new USPSTF screening rec­ommendation. The author of our second CE, “Beyond Maternity Nursing: The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative,” provides an overview of the practices and policies of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), the insti­tutional benefits of achieving BFHI certification, and the process through which health care facilities can do so. Our next article, “Original Research: The Effects of Red Yeast Rice Supplementation on Cholesterol Levels in

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the July issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover is an illustration of gastrointestinal microbiota. The authors of our first CE, “Health and the Human Microbiome: A Primer for Nurses,” provide an overview of the current state of knowledge about the human microbiome—with a focus on the microbiota in the GI tract and the vagina, the two most commonly studied body sites—and discuss implications for nursing practice. Our second CE, “Early Intervention in Patients with Poststroke Depression,” explains how poststroke depression often manifests, describes risk factors, and discusses the screening tools and therapeutic interventions nurses can use to identify and help manage depression in patients following stroke. In our next article, “The Growing Need for Diverse Blood Donors,” the chief nurse of the American Red Cross discusses how changing demographics necessitate an increase in more ethnically diverse b

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the June issue of the American Journal of Nursing. This month’s cover features four paintings by British artist Bryan Charnley, whose later work depicts his experience with schizophrenia. The authors of our first CE, “Original Research: The Experiences of Pregnant Smokers and Their Providers,” conducted focus groups of pregnant smokers and their providers, most of whom were RNs, to better understand their experiences and to gain insights to help providers best deliver the stop-smoking message. Our second CE, “Mental Health Matters: Antipsychotic Medications,” reviews the mechanisms of action, adverse effects, and contraindications of first-generation typical and second-generation atypical antipsychotics. Our next article, “Irritable Bowel Syndrome,” reviews the epidemiology and pathophysiology of IBS and recent developments in the field of IBS research, summarizes diagnostic and treatment strategies, and discusses implicati

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the May issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover, nurses and other health care professionals provide care to a patient in distress. The authors of our first CE, “Original Research: Creating an Evidence-Based Progression for Clinical Advancement Programs,” developed eight nursing competency domains and 186 related knowledge, skills, and attitudes for professional nursing practice, then sought to validate them and to determine their developmental progression within a clinical advancement program. Our second CE, “Venous Thromboembolism: Updated Management Guidelines,” presents an overview of venous thromboembolism plus a review of recommendations from an updated guideline related to treatment options, nursing practice, patient education, diagnostic testing, and more. Our next article, “Environments and Health: Project TENDR,” discusses a collaborative initiative of scientists, health p

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the April issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover, a young boy witnesses the aftermath of severe flash flooding in Clendenin, West Virginia, in June 2016. Our first CE, “Original Research: Identifying Hospitalized Patients at Risk for Harm: A Comparison of Nurse Perceptions vs. Electronic Risk Assessment Tool Scores” studied how an electronic risk assessment tool compared with nurses’ judgment in identifying patients at risk. In our second CE, “Overactive Bladder in Women,” the authors provide an evidence-based review of the screening, assessment, and management of overactive bladder in women. Our next article, “Climate Change and Mental Health,” examines the likely effects of climate change on mental health and well-being, and discusses these impacts, their mechanisms of action, the unique vulnerabilities of some populations, and the need to build resilience. In “Professional Developmen

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the March issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover, Nam Ngo, RN, a volunteer with the American Red Cross, assists victims of Hurricane Matthew at a shelter in Fair Bluff, North Carolina. Our first CE, “Improving Outcomes for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Part 2” addresses disease complications and treatment for kidney failure. In our second CE, “Defining and Understanding Pilot and Other Feasibility Studies,” the authors provide an overview of feasibility studies, including pilot studies, and explain the type of preliminary data they seek to provide in order to make larger, future studies more efficient and successful. Our next article, “Original Research: How to Create a Poster That Attracts an Audience,” identifies the design principles and content-specific attributes of a poster that improve the chance that attendees at a nursing conference would read it. “Writing for Publication: Step by S

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the February issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover is a watercolor painting by artist Vivian Jay, MSN, FNP-BC. Our first CE, “Improving Outcomes for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Part 1” offers an overview of the disease, describes identification and etiology, and discusses ways to slow disease progression. In our second CE, “Nursing’s Evolving Role in Patient Safety,” the authors discuss their content analysis of 1,086 AJN articles published from 1900 through 2015. Our next article, “Supporting Family Caregivers: Medication Management for People with Dementia,” offers recommendations for nurses as they teach family caregivers how to manage medications for a family member with dementia. “A Collaborative State of the Science Initiative: Transforming Moral Distress into Moral Resilience in Nursing” describes a collaborative project in which nurse clinicians, researchers,

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the January issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover, mothers and their children with the birth defect microcephaly—likely attributed to Zika virus—wait for care at Hospital Oswaldo Cruz in Recife, Brazil. Our first CE, “Triglycerides: Do They Matter?” discusses the importance of lowering triglyceride levels and reviews the lifestyle changes and pharmacologic treatments that can help achieve this goal. In our second CE, “Human Papillomavirus–Related Oral Cancers: The Nurse’s Role in Mitigating Stigma and Dispelling Myths,” the author describes the risk factors, clinical features, and treatment of human papillomavirus (HPV)–related oral cancers, and suggests ways for nurses to educate patients on and correct misconceptions about HPV transmission. Our next article, “Supporting Family Caregivers: Teaching Caregivers to Administer Eye Drops, Transdermal Patches, and Suppositories,”

Editor-in-Chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the December issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover, an American NP, Mary Plumb Senkel, volunteers at a rural makeshift clinic near Jacmel, Haiti. Our first CE, “Original Research: Examining the Links Between Lifestyle Factors and Metabolic Syndrome,” discusses a study that examined lifestyle risk factors for metabolic syndrome in people who are overweight or obese, aiming to distinguish those lifestyle factors associated with metabolic health in this population. In our second CE, “Preventing Contrast-Induced Kidney Injury,” the author provides an evidence-based review of screening, risk assessment, and hydration protocols for the clinical management of patients receiving contrast agents for radiographic imaging studies. Our next article, “Supporting Family Caregivers: Administration of Subcutaneous Injections” discusses how nurses can help family caregivers enhance their knowledge, experience, and

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the November issue of the American Journal of Nursing. This month’s cover photo of a nurse with a patient and her family member brings to mind an increasingly common experience for many Americans: being a family caregiver. Our first CE, “Preventing, Managing, and Assessing Skin Tears: A Clinical Review,” discusses best practices for preventing, assessing, documenting, and managing skin tears. In our second CE, “Veteran Women: Mental Health-Related Consequences of Military Service,” the author reviews research confirming that both active-duty and veteran women are at increased risk for postdeployment mental health problems, and also addresses the nursing practice implications, including screening. Our next article, “Supporting Family Caregivers: Managing Complex Medication Regimens” offers an overview of how nurses can provide medication management education to family caregivers of older adults. In “Cultivating Quality: An E

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the October issue of the American Journal of Nursing. The political cartoon on this month’s cover, created by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist David Horsey, is a commentary on the contentious circumstances leading up to the 2016 presidential election. Our first CE, “An Overview of Common Oral Treatments for Breast Cancer: Improving Patient Safety in Nononcology Settings,” reviews the most common oral agents used to treat breast cancer and their possible adverse effects and interactions. In our second CE, “Assessing and Managing Pain, Agitation, and Delirium in Hospitalized Older Adults,” the authors provide an overview of clinical considerations related to the assessment and treatment of pain, agitation, and delirium. Our next article, “Perspectives on Palliative Nursing: For Advanced Cancer, What Treatment Is Next?” discusses how nurses can best serve patients faced with the choice between aggressive tr

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the September issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover, U.S. Army generals attend the commencement ceremony for the annual observance of Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Our first CE, “Original Research: Predicting Injurious Falls in the Hospital Setting: Implications for Practice,” discusses a retrospective study that analyzed which patient factors are associated with injurious falls in hospitalized adults. In our second CE, “Military Sexual Trauma in Male Service Members,” the authors examine the unique ways in which men experience military sexual trauma, and explore the influence of stereotypes of masculinity, myths surrounding sexual assault, and military culture and structure on victims. Our next article, “Recognizing Myocardial Infarction in Women: A Case Study,” provides an overview of the signs and symptoms of myocardial infarction in women

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the August issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover is an anatomical drawing of the head and neck—the region that’s the focus of a CE article on oropharyngeal cancer in this issue. Our first CE, “Original Research: The Lived Experience of Social Media by Young Adult Burn Survivors,” explores young adult burn survivors’ use of social media as a way to find social support, express their identity while safeguarding their privacy, and further their healing. In our second CE, “Human Papillomavirus-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Review of Nursing Considerations,” the authors provide an overview of head and neck cancer—its incidence, risk factors, treatment, and posttreatment sequelae—with a focus on HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer. Our next article, “Cultivating Quality: A Clinical Nurse Specialist-Directed Initiative to Reduce Postoperative Urinary Retention in Spinal Surgery Patients,” details a quality

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the July issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover is Moonrise Over the Sandias (2015) by Charles Kaiman, a painter and a psychiatric nurse at the New Mexico Veterans Affairs Health Care System in Albuquerque. Our first CE, “Appropriate Use of Opioids in Managing Chronic Pain,” discusses current best practices for prescribing opioids for chronic pain, emphasizing patient assessment and essential patient teaching points regarding safe medication use, storage, and disposal. In our second CE, “Moral Distress: A Catalyst in Building Moral Resilience,” the authors outline the concept and prevalence of moral distress, describe its impact and precipitating factors, and discuss promising practices and interventions. Our next article, “Diabetes Under Control: Prediabetes: What Nurses Need to Know,” provides an overview of prediabetes criteria and reviews the evidence showing that interventions targ

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the June issue of the American Journal of Nursing. This month’s cover photo evokes the isolation faced by victims of intimate partner violence. Our first CE, “Original Research: Intimate Partner Violence: The Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs, and Behaviors of Rural Health Care Providers,” analyzes the perceptions of rural health care providers regarding intimate partner violence prevalence, how comfortable they feel asking about emotional and physical abuse, and whether they feel able to help those women who disclose it. In our second CE, “Late and Long-Term Sequelae of Breast Cancer Treatment,” the authors provide an overview of the potentially debilitating physical problems that many breast cancer survivors experience after treatment, and address assessment and management strategies. Our next article, “Perspectives on Palliative Nursing: Palliative Chemotherapy,” addresses the use of chemotherapy in patients with end-stage c

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the May issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover is A Maid Asleep (1656–57) by the Dutch master Johannes Vermeer. Our first CE, “Original Research: Napping on the Night Shift: A Two-Hospital Implementation Project,” describes the results of a project conducted to assess the barriers to successful implementation of night-shift naps and to describe the nap experiences of night-shift nurses. In our second CE, “Intrathecal Pumps for Managing Cancer Pain,” the author provides an overview of intrathecal pump therapy, including its benefits, potential risks, and complications, medications, and the nursing care required by patients who use an intrathecal pump. Our next article, “Emergency: Henoch–Schönlein Purpura in the ED,” uses a case study to detail the nursing assessment, diagnosis and treatment, and possible complications of Henoch–Schönlein purpura, the most common form of pediatric vasculitis. In “Spe

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the April issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover is a 1924 portrait of the Grace Hospital School of Nursing basketball team. Our first CE, “Original Research: An Investigation into the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Practices of RNs,” discusses a study that gathered baseline data on the self-reported health-promoting lifestyle practices of RNs working in six major health care and educational institutions in Pennsylvania. In our second CE, “Cardiotoxicity and Breast Cancer as Late Effects of Pediatric and Adolescent Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment,” the author reviews the late adverse effects associated with the management of Hodgkin lymphoma, which include breast cancer as well as cardiotoxicity and its sequelae. Our next article, “Diabetes Under Control: Blood Glucose Meters in ICUs,” details the controversies surrounding restrictions on the off-label use of point-of-care blood glucose monitors in criticall

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the March issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover, an elderly prisoner is handcuffed before being transported to a local hospital. In our first CE, “End-of-Life Care Behind Bars: A Systematic Review,” the authors review the literature and reveal the challenges of providing end-of-life care to prisoners, and suggest steps nurses can take to improve this care and address the challenges faced by dying inmates and the inmate volunteers who care for them. Our next article, “The Benefits of Rapid Response Teams: Exploring Perceptions of Nurse Leaders, Team Members, and End Users,” investigates the perceptions of nurse leaders, rapid response team (RRT) members, and rapid response team users concerning the benefits of RRTs. Our second CE, “Revisiting Child Sexual Abuse and Survivor Issues,” focuses on the prevalence, potential risk factors, and possible signs and symptoms of child sexual

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the February issue of the American Journal of Nursing. On this month’s cover, nurse Sarah Carruth comforts a young patient at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. The first article, “Latino Nurses in the United States: An Overview of Three Decades (1980–2010),” shares original research that found that while the overall number of Latinos has grown dramatically in the United States over the 30-year study period, the number of Latino nurses has not; the authors make recommendations for improved and accessible nursing education to help increase Latino representation in the nursing workforce. Our first CE, “Hypoglycemia: A Serious Complication for the Older Adult with Diabetes,” examines the risk factors, symptoms, and treatment of hypoglycemia in older adults with diabetes, and emphasizes the role of nurses in educating older patients in preventing hypoglycemic events and recognizing their warn

Editor-in-chief Shawn Kennedy and Clinical Editor Betsy Todd present the highlights of the January issue of the American Journal of Nursing. This month’s cover features a photo that represents one of 2015’s top news stories: the refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe. Our first CE, “Fibromyalgia Syndrome: Current Considerations in Symptom Management,” provides an overview of fibromyalgia syndrome and describes treatment guidelines, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches, and nursing approaches aimed at enhancing patient self-management. Our second CE, “Many Benefits, Little Risk: The Use of Massage in Nursing Practice,” describes the emotional and physiologic benefits of massage and offers specific massage techniques to use in practice. In “Cultivating Quality: Beyond Socks, Signs, and Alarms: A Reflective Accountability Model for Fall Prevention,” the authors discuss how a group of clinical nurses designed a nursing practice initiative featuring nurse self-reflection that successfully led to a d