Nurses' Awareness of Psychological Distress and Delirium in Cancer Patients and Job Stress

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate nurses' awareness of psychological distress and delirium in cancer patients and job stress. METHODS: The participants were 256 nurses in a cancer general hospital. The nurses' awareness of psychological distress and delirium was investigated using a self-report questionnaire (1–4 scale) developed by the researcher. Psychological distress was measured by depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Job stress was measured using the Korean version of the Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (1–4 scale). RESULTS: The analysis of 9 questionnaires about nurses' awareness was divided into two factors: nurses' competence and importance. Nurses' competence results were 2.06 (depression), 2.17 (anxiety), 2.29 (insomnia), and 2.41 (delirium). Importance results were 3.23 (depression), 3.20 (anxiety), 3.15 (insomnia), and 3.37 (delirium). Most nurses have experienced nursing psychological distress and delirium in cancer patients, but only about a quarter have received the relevant education. Job stress was 2.52 and in subcategories, work load received the highest score 2.92. CONCLUSION: Nurses recognize that psychological distress and delirium in cancer patients are very important, but they are less aware of their competence. Therefore, it is suggested to develop an educational program to improve nurses' competence when dealing with psychological distress and delirium.

Nursing Intervention for a Delayed Gastric Emptying after Pylorus-preserving Gastrectomy for Early Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: The purpose of this case report is to describe the surgical procedure of pylorus preserving gastrectomy and treatment methods, and the nursing process for postoperative complications namely delayed gastric emptying. METHODS: This case study describes the treatment methods and nursing process for a patient who visited the emergency room because of delayed gastric emptying after a pylorus preserving gastrectomy. RESULTS: The symptoms of this patient were resolved by botox-injection, none per oral, total parenteral nutrition, nutrition education after diagnosis by using abdominal x-ray, gastric emptying study, upper gastrointestinal series, and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. CONCLUSION: According to the result of this case study, nurses should be informed about delayed gastric emptying and how to apply the correct nursing process to the patient.

A Study on Types of Municipal Sanitation Workers' Occupational Accident by Work Type / 산업간호학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to identify the characteristics of occupational accidents by work type among municipal sanitation workers. METHODS: The original data of occupational accidents in 2009 by Korea Occupational Safety & Health Agency were analyzed by frequency and percentage using the SAS Version 9.1. RESULTS: The types of occupational accident were as follows: slips and trips, falls, musculoskeletal disorders, traffic accident, collision, amputation, cut & puncture, crush injuries, strenuous movement and drop/fly. Slips and trips occurred most frequently in domestic waste collection and street sweeping. The traffic accident showed the highest incidence in food waste collection. Falls occurred most frequently in recycling waste collection. Musculoskeletal disorders showed the highest incidence in large waste collection. CONCLUSION: Depending on the work type, types of occupational accident were different. The results of this study can provide the information for the development of the occupational accident prevention programs of municipal sanitation workers.