Causes and strategies for moisture lesions

Moisture lesions or incontinence-associated dermatitis are painful and distressing consequences of prolonged exposure to urine and faeces. They may adversely affect patients' physical and psychological wellbeing, so minimising damage is a vital part of the nurse's role. This article outlines their causes and strategies to prevent and treat them, as well as the causes of urinary and faecal incontinence and containment options.

Management of skin reactions during radiotherapy: a study of nursing practice

The aim of this study was to investigate the consensus of skin care advice given by nurses during radiotherapy. Sixty-seven nurses, identified through nine Belgian radiotherapy departments, responded to a questionnaire survey consisting of 58 items regarding prevention and management of erythema, dry desquamation and moist desquamation. Consensus for a given advice was categorized as small if less than 50% of the nurses gave the same answer, as moderate if between 50% and 75% and as large when more than 75%. Overall, 33% of the items showed small consensus, 29% showed moderate consensus and 38% showed large consensus. The highest consensus was seen for advice in cases of moist and dry desquamation. There was less agreement in the case of erythema and it decreased further for preventive advice. Some skin care techniques that were frequently used by the nurses cannot be supported by the literature. Also, some techniques recommended by the literature are not frequently used. Further, few differences (P < 0.05) between nurses working in a university hospital and the ones working in a non-university hospital were found in terms of advice given to patients. To increase consensus on skin care issues more conclusive research is needed. Of equal importance is the translation of existing research results into daily clinical practice.

The protective effects on wound edges of a new preparation

Marked progress has been made in the management of chronic wounds in recent years. However, every attempt to protect the wound edges has been unsatisfactory and in many cases the products used were not developed for the purpose of skin protection.

Early and late radiation-induced skin alterations. Part II: Nursing care of irradiated skin

Teaching patients how to care for irradiated skin during and after a course of radiation therapy is a major concern of oncology nurses. Part I of this two-part article (ONF 19(5):801-807) focused on the mechanisms of skin injury. Many topical preparations are available for skin care. When these substances are applied, both the active ingredient and the vehicle must be appropriate for the condition being treated. Preparations may be applied to the skin as liquids (e.g., lotions, solutions, tinctures used in wet dressings, soaks, baths) or solids (e.g., powders, creams, ointments). As skin reaction progresses during a course of radiation therapy, recommendations for skin care will change. Healing of injury occurs in three stages: inflammation, proliferation, and maturation. Wound healing proceeds more rapidly in a moist environment, and a variety of occlusive dressings can be used with moist desquamation.

Fifth disease: role for nurses in pediatric practice

Parvovirus B19 infection is a common childhood disease. Infection is usually mild but may have serious consequences in pregnant women. Nurses in pediatric practice may be the only health professionals in a position to recognize and intervene in this potentially serious condition in certain high risk individuals.

Acral erythema during bone marrow transplantation: a case study

Six of 13 patients receiving high-dose cytosine arabinoside as preparation for bone marrow transplant experienced painful redness and blistering of the hands and feet. Literature reports described this syndrome in patients receiving high-dose chemotherapy but at lower rates of occurrence than in this series of patients. Nursing problems encountered in patients experiencing acral erythema included: pain, compromised self-care, decreased activity, and infection potential. Nursing measures for dealing with these problems are described.