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Biomedical subjects

J L Hawthorne

Publications and source records attributed to J L Hawthorne.

3 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Drug abuse in an obstetric population of a midsized city.

Drug abuse during pregnancy has attracted national attention, but most studies are from large cities. This study is concerned with the indigent pregnant patients in a midsized city in the southeastern United States. In a 23-month study, 2,442 patients were delivered of neonates. Using specific criteria, 511 patients were tested for drug abuse. A positive test was identified in 156 (31%), cocaine being the most common agent. During 2 months of random testing, 15 patients (16%) had positive drug screens. Comparison of drug-positive pregnant patients with general obstetric patients identified many adverse obstetric and perinatal outcome data. Drug-positive patients weighed less, were older, were prone to not seek prenatal care, and were more likely to deliver prematurely and have a growth-retarded infant. Drug abuse in this population had significant impact on the health of the patient and her unborn infant.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Common electrolyte imbalances associated with malignancy.

More than one million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer during 1992, and 50% will be cured of their disease. Of those individuals not cured of the malignancy, survival time after diagnosis has increased tremendously compared to 1980. Because of advances in therapy and the increase in long-term survival, the presence of cancer patients in critical care units should no longer represent either a medical contradiction or an ethical dilemma when the condition requiring critical care is potentially reversible. Many of these individuals may become patients in critical care settings as a result of specific electrolyte imbalances caused by the malignant disease or treatment of malignancy. Although the imbalances often are temporary, they can be life-threatening without intervention. The most common temporary electrolyte imbalances associated with malignant conditions are hypercalcemia, hyperkalemia, and tumor lysis syndrome. Critical care nurses can contribute skill and knowledge in ameliorating these conditions so that the person with cancer can have better quality and longer survival time.

Adult↗