Caring for Daughters Without Mothers.

The death of one's mother during childhood is the severing of one of the most important human bonds. The child may suffer periods of grief that continue into adulthood and throughout life. The nurse has a vital role in assisting women traumatized by loss of a mother at a young age. This article discusses the experience of maternal loss and notes care needs of the motherless child-adult woman. Identification of women in this situation should be made as early as possible.

Offering Culturally Congruent Christian Care.

Nurses provide care for people of many cultures. Understanding the patient's culture and incorporating cultural beliefs and practices into care are important to the patient's holistic well-being. Cultural and professional awareness creates culturally congruent care. Biblical teachings remind us to love one another; laws require culturally appropriate care, and nursing theory lays the path for understanding. The purpose of this article is to present a Christian view of caring, the theoretical and ethical underpinnings of cultural care, and the organizational and legal aspects of doing what is right.

Patient-Centered Care: Lifestyle Modifications Among Adult Participants With Dyslipidemia.

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia, a risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), is a burden due to morbidity, mortality, and CHD-related costs. Patient-centered clinical interventions improve adherence to lifestyle modifications among adults with dyslipidemia. OBJECTIVE: The study's objectives were to (a) promote participants' safety through increased knowledge on the risks and prevention of CHD, (b) help participants identify their own barriers to lifestyle modifications, and (c) develop strategies with participants on individualized plans to adhere to healthy living. METHODS: Seventeen participants with dyslipidemia enrolled in a quality improvement over 6 weeks. Participants were from one employee health clinic in Mississippi. Measures are Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire (HDFQ), Framingham Tool, pre- and poststudy lipid panels, and physiologic measurements. Interventions include motivational technique-led interviews as a tool for behavioral change. RESULTS: Pre- and post-HDFQ responses indicated an 18% increase in knowledge attainment because of the patient-centered care interventions. Postinterventions, mean plasma lipid panels were 29% lower, weight loss ranged from 0 to 10.1 pounds, and body mass indexes were 0.4 to 1.2 less. Blood pressures (BPs) preintervention ranged from 120/70 to 159/89. Postinterventions BP ranged from 107/82 to 146/70. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-centered clinical interventions improve management of dyslipidemia through increased knowledge on risks and prevention of CHD and also through finding own barriers to healthy living. IMPLICATIONS: Healthcare providers can make a difference in people's lives through exploring the unhealthy behaviors and discovering ways for better health outcomes.