How nurses can promote well-being in personalised care
Harnessing the strengths, skills and resources of people and communities to improve health
Our continuing professional development (CPD) articles are designed to assist with your nursing skills and practice.
Harnessing the strengths, skills and resources of people and communities to improve health
An overview of HPV, including its types, transmission, links to cancer and testing
People with dementia who mobilise around and outside the home can present challenges
Nurses and nursing students should learn the principles of effective care planning
Exploring normative ethics and teleological ethics and how they are applied in everyday care
In healthcare clearly formulated arguments can mean nurses’ efforts are directed effectively
Nurses involved in travel health should be aware of the signs of dengue fever and what to do
Risks associated with tracheostomy cannot be eliminated, but they can be addressed
This article summarises the diagnosis, treatment and long-term consequences of lymphoma
Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a common illness that causes varicella (chickenpox) and shingles. It is prevalent mostly during childhood but there are additional co-morbidities from this disease for a woman and her fetus, if she contracts it during pregnancy. Many developed countries vaccinate children who have not acquired immunity to prevent their developing complicated varicella as adults. Countries that have implemented widespread vaccination have fewer hospital admissions for such complications. The UK does not have a national VZV vaccination programme and there is no strategy for reporting and documenting the incidence of the illness, so it is difficult to determine the potential prevalence of gestational VZV and its associated outcomes. The aim of this article is to provide an understanding of the aetiology of VZV and the potential health risks to unimmune women who may contact it during pregnancy, to advise them about their healthcare choices.
Long-acting, reversible contraception is a safe and effective way to control fertility, enabling women to have the sex life they want without the risk of pregnancy. Nurses working in primary care are important in providing contraception and promoting long-acting methods. Actively reviewing staff’s knowledge about the accessibility and availability of all contraceptive methods and identifying any gaps informs decisions concerning investment in their training and development. Sexual health and the provision of contraception, as well as the promotion of long-acting contraception, can be achieved by embracing social media and technology, not only with the practice population but with staff accessing e-learning and training pathways.
This article is aimed at primary care nurses and covers the presentation of migraine across the whole lifespan. It reminds the reader that migraine is a genetic condition, and gives an overview of presentation, phases of migraine attacks, triggers, treatment strategies and situations that may be seen in primary care. It discusses the differences between migraine with and without aura and the importance of accurate diagnosis. Issues pertinent to pregnancy, breastfeeding, contraception, perimenopause and children are discussed, as well as when to scan and when to refer patients with headaches. The article is intended to provide insights into the effects of this diagnosis on adults and children. It also highlights the causes and solutions of the common problem of medication overuse headache.