Objective and Subjective Stress Parameters in Response to High and Low-Fidelity Simulation Activities.

Nursing graduates are required to have both excellent theoretical and practical skills that should be used during stressful emergency interventions. Since the received knowledge should be practiced to gain skills and trained to achieve competences, simulation exercises can be beneficial to even reduce the stress that each individual may face during emergency management of patients. A total of 146 first-year nursing students participated in the study, including 124 women and 22 men aged between 19 and 50 years, with a mean age of 32 years. The objective method estimated psychophysiological parameters (serum cortisol). Objective and subjective methods were used. The subjective method assessed stress experienced by students based on the standardized Stress Appraisal Questionnaire Version B for dispositional assessment. The study was conducted in the Monoprofile Medical Simulation Centre at the University of Economics and Innovation in Lublin, Poland and was approved by the University Research Ethics Committee. Both participants under and over 25 years of age showed increased levels of stress after low and high-fidelity simulations, with statistically significantly higher stress levels found for the low fidelity method. Low-fidelity simulation methods generated a greater increase in cortisol levels, indicating a higher stress level than the high-fidelity methods. The analysis of the scores obtained in the Stress Appraisal Questionnaire (KOS-B) showed that higher cortisol levels after the low-fidelity simulation reduced the subjective perception of a threat, while higher cortisol levels before the high-fidelity simulation promoted higher intellectual activity among the students. Levels of stress in the education of nursing students using low and high-fidelity methods can limit the sense of threat and activate professional task performance. The use of low and high-fidelity simulation does not generate destructive stress levels.

Social and economic benefits of secondary prevention of arterial hypertension.

INTRODUCTION: Arterial blood pressure is one of the main vital signs reflecting body functions and, at the same time, the most important functional parameter of the cardiovascular system. High blood pressure is the major modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was assessment of the frequency of occurrence of cardiovascular risk factors, with particular consideration of arterial blood pressure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted among 509 volunteers from Lublin in eastern Poland who participated in the prophylactic programme entitled 'White Sunday'. Standard measurements of blood pressure were performed using a TM-Z dial pressure gauge. The level of arterial blood pressure and socio-demographic parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Hypertension was more frequently observed in the group of males than females. The age group especially vulnerable to abnormal blood pressure values were those aged 51-60. Isolated hypertension significantly more often occurred in the group of respondents who mentioned hypertension in an interview, compared to those who reported its absence. Among 367 persons who, in preliminary interview, did not declare hypertension, 60 cases of isolated arterial hypertension were noted (16.3%). From among respondents who declared absence of hypertension in an interview, the largest age group diagnosed with isolated arterial hypertension were those aged 61-70 (17.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Arterial hypertension is a civilisation disease which may be effectively prevented, simultaneously reducing the risk of premature death due to cardiovascular events, as well as reducing social and economic costs. International health organizations recommend the implementation of social screening programmes in order to diagnose high blood pressure and the promotion of routine measurements of arterial blood pressure.

Quality of life of patients undergoing specific allergen immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis.

INTRODUCTION: Although allergic diseases have been known since antiquity, both their understanding and systematics came later. The World Allergy Organization (WAO) defines the phenomenon of atopy as a predisposition of a person or family to the uncontrolled synthesis and release of IgE antibodies. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most important clinical diseases of rhinitis (NN, rhinitis). AR significantly reduces the quality of life, tends to increase, and its consequences may be life-threatening diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to determine the quality of life of patients who underwent specific allergen immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was conducted at the Center for Specialist Allergology in Lublin between October 2018 - February 2019. The study covered a group of 157 patients. The diagnostic method used was a questionnaire. The first research tool was own questionnaire consisting of 31 questions. The second tool was the standardized questionnaire, the Polish version of the SF-36 Quality of Life Questionnaire. RESULTS: Studies have shown statistically significant changes in the symptoms of before and after immunotherapy, which means improving the quality of life and reducing the severity of symptoms and problems of respondents after therapy. The respondents were not in the best of health (50%). Over 50% of respondents said that the immunotherapy process significantly reduced personal / family expenses for treatment associated with allergic rhinitis. CONCLUSIONS: The conducted process of specific allergen immunotherapy improved the quality of life of respondents by increasing awareness of the quality of life through the prism of health change in relation to the general indicator in the area of mental problems by reducing their nuisance value more than in the area of somatic symptoms.

Parents' attitudes towards a difficult situation resulting from the chronic disease of their child.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The family is a reliable and permanent source of support for every human being. It is the key link in the welfare system. The aim of the study is to assess parents' attitudes towards the occurrence of a difficult situation resulting from a child's chronic illness. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved randomly selected parents of children with chronic diseases (N=107). The study was carried out at the Dental Clinic of the 'Little Prince' Children's Hospice in Lublin. RESULTS: The study revealed that for parents a difficult life situation is mainly associated with the disability of a family member or a friend, whereas the action approach is the most frequently chosen attitude towards a child's chronic disease. In the examined group of parents, a significant correlation was observed between the age of the parents and the choice of a specific parental attitude towards the child's chronic disease (in terms of intellectual approach). However, no significant correlations were found between the parents' place of residence and the choice of a specific parental attitude towards the chronic disease of a child. CONCLUSIONS: During the diagnosis of chronically ill children, parents should also be educated in this regard. Therapy and psychological help, as well as directing parents to relevant support groups, organizations or associations, will prove immensely valuable while coping with a difficult life situation.

Solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas - comparisons between magnetic resonance and histological findings.

Solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm is a rare pancreatic tumor typically observed in young adults. A new case of the tumor was diagnosed in a 22-year-old woman. An abnormal mass connected with the pancreatic body was found on ultrasound and computed tomography. Magnetic resonance revealed weak homogeneous contrast enhancement and a low ADC value (0.824 mm/s2; b1000). Primary radiological diagnosis suggested a solid pancreatic neoplasm, which was confirmed during histopathological assessment after resection of the pancreatic body with preservation of the spleen and normal drainage through the main pancreatic duct. Histological appearance of the solid-pseudopapillary neoplasm corresponded with its radiological morphology.