Current Issue : April-June Volume : 2026 Issue Number : 2 Articles : 5 Articles
Background/Objectives: This study explored the lived experiences of nursing students in South Korea who participated in clinical practice at Community Treatment Centers (CTCs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study was designed as a qualitative study and applied Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenology. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten nursing students who practiced at CTCs for three to four weeks. Data were analyzed through Colaizzi’s seven procedural steps to derive the essential structure of their experience. Data saturation was achieved, and methodological rigor criteria were applied. Results: Four overarching themes emerged: (1) transformative growth through immersive clinical practice in quarantine; (2) enduring and adapting to uncertainty and emotional turmoil; (3) reconciling vulnerability and responsibility as future professionals; and (4) validation and pride in becoming visible during a national crisis. Conclusions: The study revealed that CTC practice constituted a transformative learning experience that enhanced students’ professional identity and resilience in disaster situations. Findings highlight the need to integrate disaster ethics and psychosocial preparedness into undergraduate nursing curricula....
Despite the extensive literature devoted to thoracoabdominal injuries of various origins, severity and nature, the management of patients with such injuries remains a challenge for surgeons of various specialties. Case Report: The patient was hospitalized at the First University Clinic of TSMU. He complained of multiple bleeding wounds on the chest and face. Stab wounds located in the following areas: 1) on the left mid-axillary line, in the IX-X intercostal space (2.5 cm × 1.5 cm); 2) on the left scapular line, at the level of the VII intercostal space (1.0 cm × 0.5 cm); 3) on the right paravertebral line, at the level of the VIII intercostal space (3.0 cm × 2.0 cm); 4) on the right scapular line, at the level of the IV intercostal space (2.0 cm × 1.0 cm). There is also a small stab wound on the mental area, on the left. All wounds were sutured with interrupted sutures. FAST was done immediately. Approximately 100 mL of fluid was detected in the left pleural cavity. Free fluid was detected as a narrow band in the left subdiaphragmatic region. A CT scan was performed. The mediastinum was not deviated. The heart was not enlarged. There was no free fluid or air in the mediastinum. On the left was a linear fracture of the VIII rib. A small effusion was visible in the left pleural cavity, with a separation of 0.9 cm. An inhomogeneous, increased-density area (hematoma) was seen at the anterior edge of the spleen. Against this, minor extravasation was observed. Free fluid was visible in the abdominal cavity, only adjacent to the spleen. There was no air. After 2.5 hours from the patient’s admission, during a control FAST study, the amount of fluid in the abdomen was increased and the patient was immediately taken to the operating room. Laparotomy, diaphragmorraphy, splenor- rhaphy, small bowel repair (deserosation), washing and drainage of peritoneal cavity were performed. The patient was discharged from the clinic in an improved condition. The patient’s condition is good and he has no complaints. Thus, despite our efforts, we were unable to avoid open surgery, but even with such a complex injury as a penetrating thoracoabdominal wound, under certain circumstances, it is possible to use a watchful waiting approach, in some cases to use a minimally invasive intervention instead of a wide and traumatic laparotomy, and even to get by with active dynamic monitoring of the patient instead of routine drainage of the affected pleural cavity....
Background/Objectives: Skin disinfection before insulin administration is widely regarded as essential for preventing injection-site infection. However, theWorld Health Organization advises that while hand hygiene and washing with soap and water are crucial, alcoholbased disinfection before subcutaneous injection is not required. Thus, the necessity for pre-injection (subcutaneous) skin preparation remains controversial. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the determinants of nurses’ attitudes toward the necessity of skin disinfection before subcutaneous injection. We simultaneously examined the effects of workplace setting, years of professional experience, and social norms to identify the most significant factors influencing clinical judgment. Methods: Nurses employed in wards, outpatient settings, and home care settings were surveyed between October 2021 and January 2022 in this cross-sectional study. A structured questionnaire assessed frequency of skin disinfection and attitudes regarding its necessity before subcutaneous injection. Ordinal logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with the attitude of nurses. Results: Overall, 992 valid responses were analyzed. Ordinal logistic regression indicated that the attitude of nurses were significantly influenced by years of professional experience (Odds Ratio [OR] = 0.98, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] [0.96, 0.99]), normative expectations (OR = 2.88, 95% CI [2.32, 3.56]), and sanctions (OR = 1.36, 95% CI [1.15, 1.62]) (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: Nurses’ beliefs regarding skin disinfection before subcutaneous injections are primarily influenced by normative expectations and professional experience, rather than workplace environment and experiential expectations. Experienced nurses do not disregard norms: they practice greater critical and situational judgment and show understanding of the purpose of disinfection....
Background/Objectives: In recent years, some hospitals have shifted from traditional to intensity-of-care-based organizational models, where patients allocation is based on the care they require. In this context, Nursing Patient Classification Systems (NPCSs) can lead to the identification of the appropriate nursing care setting based on patient nursing needs; this also applies to pediatrics. In this scenario, the concept of patient nursing complexity has emerged. This narrative literature review aims to provide an overview on validated NPCSs that assess the nursing complexity of pediatric patients. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library were searched, and inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to the retrieved papers. Two authors independently screened n = 498 papers, of which n = 7 were read in full and subsequently excluded. Results: No paper met the inclusion criteria. However, papers read in full were analyzed, and their main characteristics were described. They were excluded because they did not concern validated NPCSs that assess pediatric patients’ nursing complexity or did not assess pediatric patients’ nursing complexity as defined in this literature review. Conclusions: This narrative literature review highlighted a critical gap in the field of validated NPCSs that assess the nursing complexity of pediatric patients. The lack of a shared definition of “nursing complexity of the patient” is the primary barrier identified. This constitutes a crucial take-home message. Therefore, future studies should prioritize in-depth exploration of the differences among all the published definitions and concepts related to “complexity” and harmonizing existing conceptual analysis to guide future research and the development of shared NPCSs....
Background: There is an insufficient knowledge base for optimal parenteral nutrition (PN) use for patients with incurable cancer, leading to vague guidelines and varied practices. The aim of the study is to describe the practices and actual outcomes of PN in patients with incurable cancer at Norwegian hospitals. Methods: This multicentre study retrospectively reviewed 507 deceased patients (>18 years) receiving PN between 2011 and 2017. Data were collected from PN initiation until death, and analyses were descriptive. Results: Fiftyone percent had upper and lower gastrointestinal cancers, and the main PN indications were insufficient intake (75%) and gastrointestinal malfunction (47%). Sixty-seven percent received no anticancer treatment. Forty-three (8%) received PN as temporary bridging to anticancer treatment, of whom fifteen (35%) resumed or initiated treatment. The median PN dose corresponded to 53% of estimated energy requirements, and 94% of the patients had complementary energy intake. The most common reason for discontinuation was expected imminent death (47%). While common symptoms during PN were nausea (52%), vomiting (46%), and oedema (37%), 15% reported improved wellbeing. Conclusions: In this real-world cohort, up to 80% of the patients would not meet the eligibility criteria of previous trials due to cancer diagnosis and treatment, gastrointestinal tract function, weight loss criteria or complications such as ascites. This study highlights the heterogeneity in how patients with incurable cancer receive PN, and emphasises the importance of individualised PN treatment, carefully and safely managed to meet the patients’ palliative care situation. Future real-world pragmatic patient-centred protocols bridging the gap between clinical trials and patients in clinical practice are warranted....
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