[Effect of prone position on oxygenation in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation]

One of the nurses' roles in patient care is frequent position change in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. Because of attaching many lines and tubes to these patients, they are in supine or lateral positions most of the time. Nurses prefer these positions due to making care simple. Many studies have shown that prone position has positive effects on oxygenation and ventilation. However, other studies have shown some negative effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of prone position on oxygenation in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation. In this quasi-experimental study, 36 patients were selected using simple sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire and oxygenation data sheet. First, patients were put in supine position. After 30 and 120 minutes, oxygenation was assessed. Then they were changed to prone position and after 30 and 120 minutes oxygenation was reassessed. Data were analyzed using paired t test, spearman, and fisher exact tests in SPSS. The results indicated that there was significant differences between prone position and the amount of spo2 and sao2 oxygenation after 30 and 120 minutes [P < 0.001]. Prone positioning was effective on oxygenation after 30 and 120 minutes; so nurse should use this position in their care

effect of organized auditory stimulations on the consciousness level of comatose patients

High frequency of traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries in one hand and improvement of the health care condition to restore patient's life in the other hand has increased the frequency of comatose patients in ICU. These patients often experience physical, cognitive, behavior or sensory defects, and the sensory input reduction in intensive care units expose them to cognition disorders. It seems that using sensory stimulation programs may be effective in preventing from sensory deprivation and facilitating recovery process. In this quasi-experimental study, 30 comatose patients who were hospitalized in ICU in Shariati and Sina hospitals were sought to be studied. The subjects were selected randomly using matching that was placed in case and control group. In the intervention group, patients received an auditory stimulation for 2 weeks, 6 days of a week, 2 times a day. The auditory stimulator was a recorded tape [5-10 minutes] of a familiar voice for 30 minutes. The Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] was used for measuring the level of consciousness [LOC]. LOC was measured before and after each intervention 4 times a day. The control group LOC was measured in a similar manner to the case group. At the same time, homodynamic symptoms [blood pressure, pulse rate, and mean arterial pressure] were measured. Non-parametric test was used for analyzing data. The data was analyzed through SPSS V.11.5 computer software. The findings indicated that there was a significant difference in LOC of the intervention group at the first day and after fourteen days of the intervention [P<0.001], but not in the control group [P=0.769]. Although 2 groups were similar in LOC of the first day [P=0.605] but there were a significant difference between their LOC at the fourteenth day [P=0.001]. The results showed that the auditory stimulations with familiar voice were effective in increasing LOC in the comatose patients. It is suggested that nurses expose comatose patients with auditory stimulations using a recorded tape of familiar voice in ICU

[Quality of life in asthmatic patients]

Asthma, as a chronic respiratory disease, is a major health problem worldwide. The quality of life of asthmatic patients is affected by long-term treatment and continuous episodes of asthmatic attacks. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life in asthmatic patients. This descriptive study carried out among randomly selected asthmatic patients [n=386] referred to lung clinic in Imam Khomeini hospital, Tehran. Data were collected using a two-section questionnaire. The first section was to assess demographic characteristics of the subjects and the second section was to assess the quality of life. Validity of the questionnaire was evaluated using content validity and reliability was determined using a-kronbach. The results showed that the majority of subjects were female, married, illiterate, and in the 41-50 age group. 45.1 per cent of study subjects had relatively appropriate quality of life. Quality of life in 45.3 per cent of the patients was inappropriate. There were significant statistical relationship between sex, age, education, economic status and quality of life [P<0.05]. According to the findings, in general, quality of life was inappropriate and relatively appropriate. So comprehensive programs for treatment and care of these patients should be planned