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Biomedical subjects

Nancy A Stotts

Publications and source records attributed to Nancy A Stotts.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

The link between tissue oxygen and hydration in nursing home residents with pressure ulcers: preliminary data.

Pressure ulcers are prevalent in nursing home residents. They heal slowly and result in pain and impaired quality of life. Strategies to enhance healing of pressure ulcers are critical to the treatment regime in nursing homes. This article explores the possibility that nursing home residents with pressure ulcers may experience low tissue oxygen and impaired hydration. Pilot data are presented suggesting that some proportion of nursing home residents with pressure ulcers experience low subcutaneous oxygen and that fluid administration increases the low tissue oxygen. Further research in this area is warranted.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Physiology and prevention of heel ulcers: The state of science.

The prevalence of heel ulcers across settings is high and is increasing. Prevention of ulcers requires knowledge of their etiology and the scientific basis for preventive care. The interaction between external pressure and the heel vasculature is central to the prevention of heel ulcers. This article focuses on the prevention of heel pressure ulcers. The physiology of heel tissue perfusion, the effect of external pressure on heel perfusion, as well as what is known about strategies to reduce external pressure and approaches to improve heel skin blood flow will be discussed. It is only through understanding of the physiology of heel tissue perfusion and its relation to external pressure that effective preventive measures to reduce heel skin breakdown can be adapted in clinical practice.

Beds↗
PubMed2003

Mechanisms for radiation-induced oral mucositis and the consequences.

Radiation therapy remains the primary method of treatment for patients with head and neck cancer. The tissue destruction and functional alterations in the oral cavity lead to the development of oral mucositis. The purpose of this review is to describe the mechanisms, risk factors, prevalence, and magnitude of radiation therapy-related oral mucositis and its morbidities in patients with head and neck cancer. The review concludes with a discussion of the implications for clinical practice. This review provides cancer nurses with the information necessary to identify patients with head and neck cancer who are at high risk for oral mucositis and the significant comorbidities associated with this complication of radiation therapy.

Head and Neck Neoplasms↗
PubMed2003

Factors to consider when analyzing 12-lead electrocardiograms for evidence of acute myocardial ischemia.

An important factor to consider when using findings on electrocardiograms for clinical decision making is that the waveforms are influenced by normal physiological and technical factors as well as by pathophysiological factors. Traditionally, the focus of bedside monitoring is detection of arrhythmia. However, continuous ST-segment monitoring for the detection of myocardial ischemia is now readily available. Many factors affect electrocardiographic waveforms and may interfere with diagnosis of myocardial ischemia based on electrocardiographic findings. Accordingly, a principal leadership role for clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners is to become knowledgeable about interpretation of 12-lead electrocardiograms and to share this knowledge with staff nurses who care for patients with acute coronary syndromes. The factors that alter electrocardiographic findings are reviewed, and the alterations that interfere with electrocardiogram-based diagnosis of myocardial ischemia are discussed.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2002

A research review of the current treatments for radiation-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To review the research studies on the current treatments for radiation therapy-(RT-) induced mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE search of the literature from 1966-2001. DATA SYNTHESIS: Four types of agents (i.e., antimicrobial, coating, anti-inflammatory, and cytokine-like agents) have been evaluated for the management of RT-induced oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer. Most of the published studies had relatively small sample sizes and used inconsistent measures to evaluate the extent and severity of oral mucositis. Therefore, definitive conclusions regarding the effectiveness of any of the agents tested in the prevention and treatment of RT-induced oral mucositis cannot be drawn. CONCLUSIONS: Oral mucositis remains the most common complication among patients with head and neck cancer. Although a number of strategies and products are being investigated and new directions are promising, the therapies tested to date have not produced consistent results. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: The most effective measure to treat RT-induced mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer is frequent oral rinsing with a bland mouthwash, such as saline or a sodium bicarbonate rinse, to reduce the amount of oral microbial flora. Dental care, consistent oral assessments, and the initiation of a standardized oral hygiene protocol before the initiation of cancer treatment are the most effective approaches for oral mucositis.

Head and Neck Neoplasms↗