Nurses Books

Meningitis is a serious infection of the meninges, the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. It is a devastating disease and remains a major public health challenge. The disease can be caused by many different pathogens including bacteria, fungi or viruses, but the highest global burden is seen with bacterial meningitis. ( www.who.int ) Meningitis is usually caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Viral meningitis is the most common and least serious type. Bacterial meningitis is rare, but can be very serious if not treated. Several different viruses and bacteria can cause meningitis, including:     meningococcal bacteria – there are several different types, called A, B, C, W, X, Y and Z     pneumococcal bacteria     Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria     enteroviruses – viruses that usually only cause a mild stomach infection     the mumps virus     the herpes simplex virus – a...

Malaria is an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites, which are spread to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. ( www.who.int ) Malaria can occur if a mosquito infected with the Plasmodium parasite bites you. There are four kinds of malaria parasites that can infect humans: Plasmodium vivax , P. ovale , P. malariae , and P. falciparum . P. falciparum causes a more severe form of the disease and those who contract this form of malaria have a higher risk of death. An infected mother can also pass the disease to her baby at birth. This is known as congenital malaria. Malaria is transmitted by blood, so it can also be transmitted through:     an organ transplant     a transfusion     use of shared needles or syringes ( www.healthline.com ) Signs and symptoms of malaria may include:     Fever     Chills     General feeling of discomfort     Headac...

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in women. Due to the shorter female urethra, contaminant bacteria pass more easily through the pathway to the bladder. Other factors at play are the tendency to retain urine as well as irritation of the skin of the urethral opening. Urinary tract infections cause symptoms of frequent pain and burning sensation when urinating, spasm in the bladder area, hematuria, back pain may occur, fever, chills, pelvic and low back pain, pain when urinating, malaise, nausea and vomiting resulting in disturbances urinary elimination. According to WHO in 2011, urinary tract infections were among the most common infections acquired by patients receiving treatment in health services (health care-associated infection). In fact, urinary tract infections were recorded as the second most common (23.9%) in developing countries after surgical wound infections (29.1%) as the most common infections obtained by patients in health facilities. UTI is a significant cause o...

Definition: unpleasant sensory and emotional experience arising from actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage, of sudden or slow onset of any intensity from mild to severe with an anticipated or predictable end and lasting <6 month. Defining characteristics : Changes in appetite Changes in blood pressure Changes in heart rate Changes in respiratory rate Signal report Diaphoresis Distraction behavior Expressing behavior (whining, crying, restlessness) Attitude to protect the pain area Report pain verbally Change position to protect the pain. Sleep disturbance Related factors: 1) Agent of injury (e.g., biological, physical, chemical, psychological) Nursaing Diagnosis for Peritonitis : Acute pain related to disruption of tissue continuity Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC): After nursing actions for ... x 24 hours It is hoped that the client's pain is controlled or can be resolved. Result Criteria: Able to control pain (know the cause of pain, able...

Abdominal distress describes a clinical condition due to an emergency in the abdominal cavity which usually arises suddenly with pain as the main complaint. This situation requires immediate response which often takes the form of: Surgical procedures, such as perforation, intra-abdominal bleeding, infection, obstruction and strangulation of the gastrointestinal tract can cause perforation which results in contamination of the abdominal cavity by gastrointestinal contents so that peritonitis occurs. Peritonitis initially occurs after leakage of microorganisms from diseased or traumatized organs. Extension of infection into the peritoneal cavity depends on many factors, including the location and extent of the primary leak, the nature of the wound or underlying disease, the presence of adhesions due to previous surgery, the duration of the present disease, and the efficiency of the patient's immune mechanism (Sabiston 2012, p. 192). Peritonitis is inflammation of the peritoneal membr...