A profile of perianesthesia nursing patient outcome research, 1994-1999.

The purpose of this research was to profile the current body of perianesthesia nursing research and extend the findings of previous integrative reviews completed on research from 1982 to 1993. The tables of contents from 18 nursing journals were examined and 31 studies met inclusion criteria. Findings indicated that some improvements were made by perianesthesia nurse researchers in using the scientific method. No studies replicated previously published research before 1994. Pediatric and elderly studies were scarce. Free-standing ambulatory surgery continues to be an under-represented research setting.

Recognizing Horner's syndrome.

Horner's syndrome is a dramatic finding identified by perianesthesia nurses after regional anesthesia. This article describes the relationship between Horner's syndrome and regional anesthesia while explaining the signs and symptoms as they relate to blockade of the sympathetic nervous system.

Nystagmus: benign or significant?

Nystagmus is a broad symptom describing unusual ocular movements. The peri-anesthesia nurse may identify nystagmus as a preoperative condition, as an event during recovery from general anesthesia, or as a pathological finding. Understanding the physiology of nystagmus provides a basis for nursing assessment and intervention.

A pilot study to investigate the impact of interactional television on student evaluation of faculty effectiveness.

While the dominant theme of distance education research has been the learner, learner achievement is not necessarily the only important consideration in assessing the effectiveness of ITV programs. With nearly half of the nursing programs recently surveyed by Reinert and Fryback (1997) offering or planning to offer distance learning in the near future, researchers and developers must seek to understand the impact of ITV on the teacher. These programs require faculty who are committed and prepared to teach outside of the traditional classroom. Selection of faculty requires attention to appropriate qualifications and knowledge of strategies to bridge teacher-learner separation created by distance education. Faculty, peers, and administrators should consider the teaching environment when interpreting data designed to evaluate teacher effectiveness of ITV teaching.

Reducing the pain of venipuncture.

Patient satisfaction with nursing care is the strongest predictor of overall satisfaction. Reducing discomfort of routine procedures, such as venipuncture for an intravenous insertion, can contribute to perceived satisfaction. This article reviews three common pharmacological interventions that can be used by perianesthesia nurses to reduce the pain of venipuncture.

Vasodepressor syncope: the common faint.

Perianesthesia patients and families are susceptible to vasodepressor syncope. Understanding the physiological mechanisms responsible for syncope, the Bezold-Jarisch reflex, will allow the perianesthesia nurse to minimize the physical and emotional sequele of the common faint.

Dementia: a complex symptom.

The number of perianesthesia patients with dementia increases yearly. Understanding the physiology and functional impairments of these patients will improve the perianesthesia nurse's ability to create a safe environment, communicate effectively, and reduce discomfort.

Pruritus and urticaria.

Pruritus and urticaria frequently occur during the perianethesia period. Knowledge of the physiology of these symptoms can assist the perianesthesia nurse to identify the appropriate nursing and medical interventions.

Laryngeal mask airway: indications and management for critical care.

The laryngeal mask airway is the newest tool for airway management during the perianesthesia period. This device has joined other resuscitation equipment on emergency carts. Critical care nurses must be prepared to care for patients for whom laryngeal mask airways are indicated and used. A solid understanding of the purpose and placement of the laryngeal mask airway is necessary for safe removal of the device. Policies and procedures should be developed to define standards of care and responsibilities for care of patients with a laryngeal mask airway.

Practice characteristics of the dual certificant--CPAN/CAPA.

Little information is available regarding the practice of nurses who hold two perianesthesia certification credentials (CPAN/CAPA) and their motivation in achieving a dual certification distinction. Achievement of certification in both areas of perianesthesia nursing is a significant accomplishment. Nurses with dual certification are a valuable asset to the profession, their employer, and the perianesthesia patient. The characteristics of this unique group were surveyed by the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification, Inc. The findings have implications for nurse managers, educators, and perianesthesia colleagues.

An integrative review of ambulatory postanesthesia nursing patient outcome research: 1982 to 1993.

Specialty nursing practice tends to define itself by a set of competencies believed to be essential by the practitioner. A specialty practice is rarely the result of patient outcome research. Although nurses have been caring for postoperative patients since the early 1900s, a review of published ambulatory postanesthesia patient outcome nursing research has not been reported. As part of a larger study, an integrative review of ambulatory postanesthesia research was conducted to investigate adherence to the scientific method and to examine whether reported research findings link nursing process with patient outcome. Data were collected from identified ambulatory postanesthesia research studies published between 1982 and 1993. The tables of contents from 16 nursing journals were examined to identify published studies. The sample for the integrative review consisted of 28 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Data from the 28 studies were collected independently by two researchers on Ambulatory Post Anesthesia Research Literature Instrument (APARLI) coding sheets developed for the review. Findings indicated that the scientific method was used with varied levels of sophistication. The linkage of nursing process with patient outcome did not appear explicitly in the research studies reviewed.

An integrative review of postanesthesia care unit phase I patient outcome research: 1982 to 1993.

Specialty nursing practice tends to define itself by a set of competencies believed to be essential by the practitioner. A specialty practice rarely is the result of patient outcome research. Although nurses have been caring for postoperative patients since the early 1900s, a review of published PACU phase I patient outcome nursing research has not been reported. As part of a larger study, an integrative review of phase I postanesthesia research was conducted to investigate compliance with the scientific method and to examine whether reported research findings link the nursing process with patient outcome. Data were collected from identified PACU phase I research studies published between 1982 and 1993. The table of contents from 16 nursing journals were examined to identify published studies. The sample for the integrative review consisted of 43 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Data from the 43 studies were collected independently by two researchers on Post Anesthesia Research Literature Instrument coding sheets developed for the review. Findings indicated that the scientific method was used with varied levels of sophistication. The linkage of nursing process with patient outcome did not appear explicit in the studies reviewed.