Biomedical subjects

B E Mendyka

Publications and source records attributed to B E Mendyka.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Exploring culture in nursing: a theory-driven practice.

This article offers useful approaches for understanding culture as an important component for providing holistic care in nursing. Watson's Model of Human Care exemplifies a way to interpret the cultural experience of illness within a holistic framework, helping nurses explain and then detail alternative caring perspectives. A clinical exemplar using this framework will help to explore the interchange between caring and culture. In doing so, Watson's Model of Human Care can be shown to hold great promise for understanding human illness as a cultural event and contribute to holistic care in nursing practice.

Cultural Characteristics↗

PubMed1997

Reaffirming the relevance of culture for nursing.

This article reaffirms the relevance of the concept of culture for nursing and suggests the utility of recent developments in culture theory. Culture has long been considered to play an important role in the practice of nursing. The historical development of the concept of culture is reviewed with emphasis on nurse scholars and anthropologists who have addressed culture as an area of inquiry. The meaning-centered perspective of culture, to include embodiment, is reviewed and recommended as a means of addressing the current emphasis on cultural diversity in nursing. This perspective is seen as having broad implications for both advancing theoretical development in nursing and for nursing practice.

Culture↗

PubMed1994

The therapeutic syncretic process: implications for nursing care delivery.

Understanding fully the care and healing needs of others has always been within the domain of nursing practice. Therapeutic syncretism holds important applications for the provision of nursing care cross-culturally. Therapeutic syncretism is a process that results in the creation of a unique healing system. This process stems from the bridging of two or more ideologically distinct healing systems. Caring strategies are enhanced by understanding the culturally relevant meanings of the concepts of nursing, person, environment, and health for both patient and care-provider.

Holistic Health↗

PubMed1994

Latex hypersensitivity: an iatrogenic and occupational risk.

BACKGROUND Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to natural rubber and latex products were first reported in 1979 by Nutter, who identified contact urticaria to latex gloves. Since that time, numerous cases of immediate and delayed reactions to latex have been reported. Because latex products are ubiquitous, especially in the critical care environment, there is increasing risk of hypersensitivity among patients and healthcare workers. METHOD Literature review. OBJECTIVES To review the types of allergic reaction to latex and to inform healthcare providers of the risks to patients and themselves of acquiring latex hypersensitivity. CONCLUSION Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to natural rubber and latex products pose a significant threat to patients, healthcare workers, and the general population. Medical history alone is inadequate to identify all persons at risk. Numerous proteins doubtless exist in latex that may be the link to allergenicity. Further research is needed to address demographic, behavioral, environmental, and biogenetic factors including gender differences, ethnicity and race.

Gloves, Surgical↗

PubMed1993

The dying patient in the intensive care unit: assisting the family in crisis.

Critically ill patients belong to larger phenomenologic systems, their families. What affects one member affects other system members. Nursing care requires meticulous observation and assessment of family concerns, understanding of clinical events, and practical experience to achieve positive outcomes even if a death occurs. It seems easy to dismiss the family from the clinical and technical matters of the critical care unit, especially when much nursing energy goes into operating peripheral machinery, performing tasks, and pursuing ever-changing patient-centered goals. The following case study attempts to redefine and redirect the focus of what "patient-centered" means to include the nurse, the patient, and the family in the meaning of the core of family-centered care.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Fluid and electrolyte disorders caused by diuretic therapy.

A wide spectrum and class of diuretics have been used to treat an assortment of cardiovascular disorders and various hypertensive states. Fluid and electrolyte imbalances are a major side effect of diuretic use. They predispose the patient to potential fluid disequilibrium and problems associated with electrolyte regulation. Such problems can prove to be lethal if not corrected. Very often, the ability to tolerate diuretic therapy is influenced by adequate renal function and hydration status of the patient. It becomes an important nursing responsibility to detect the development of dysfunction as a result of diuretic use or misuse. The responsive nurse, through meticulous assessment, can detect problems related to fluid and electrolyte disorder that can threaten patient well-being.

Diuretics↗