| Journals Watch
2003 This section features a regularly updated list of recently published articles relevant to nurse prescribing. Abstracts of the papers are included and users are encouraged to submit their views about published papers through the feedback section. Please note: In this section of the website we aim to cover articles on areas where nurses do prescribe. However, not all the treatments or appliances mentioned are prescribable by nurses. For that reason, nurses should check the up-to-date versions of the Nurse Prescribers’ Formulary for District Nurses and Health Visitors (NPF) and the Nurse Prescribers’ Extended Formulary (NPEF) and Drug tariff if they are in any doubt. Alternatively contact your Regional Nurse Prescribing Lead for clarification. 2002 Health Promotion | 2001 Lifestyle and Smoking Health
Promotion
Driver C. Last minute travel.
Practice Nurse 2002; 24(10): 18-22 Sutherland C and Mead M. Oral
contraception. Practice Nurse 2002; 24(10): 33-36 Fallon D. Adolescent access to
emergency contraception in A and E departments: reviewing the literature
from a feminist perspective. J Clin Nurs 2003; 12: 4-11 Griffey H. Address parental fears
over childhood vaccinations. Practice Nurse 2003; 25(5): 35-38 Christopher L. Hepatitis B – A deadly virus. Practice Nurse 2003; 25(5): 48-51 This article looks at vaccination policies for hepatitis
B: in the UK, all those in at-risk groups should be offered the vaccine but
other countries have successfully implemented a more widespread programme.
The side-effects and efficacy of the vaccine are discussed and dosages
reviewed. Driver C. Travel health: myths and misconceptions. Practice Nurse 2003; 25(3): 39-46 This article looks at some of the myth concerning travel
health advice and provides information on malaria, The Gambia and other
destinations, cruising and yellow fever. Driver C. Learning to support practice: 9a Immunization. Nursing Standard 2003; 25(3): 57-60 How immunizations work, mechanisms of immunity and the
practical requirements for safe and effective vaccine administration are all
covered here. Hepatitis A, typhoid and yellow fever travel vaccines are then
considered. Bedford H. Measles: the disease and its prevention. Nursing Standard 2003; 17(24): 46-52 After describing the signs, symptoms, complications, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of measles, the author goes on to look at prevention and in particular the MMR vaccine. The characteristics of the MMR vaccine are described and the fall in numbers of measles cases after the introduction of the combined vaccine in 1988 in the UK described. There are some contraindications, such as immunodeficiency (although siblings of these patients should receive the MMR), acute illness (vaccine should be postponed), untreated malignancy, allergies to neomycin or kanamycin, pregnancy, receipt of immunoglobulin within three months, and receipt of another live vaccine within three weeks. The side effects of this live vaccine are described. Most MMR vaccines contain small amounts of egg but Department of Health advice is that it is probably safe for children with egg allergies to receive the vaccine, although it may be prudent for them to do so in a hospital setting. The most recent evidence seems to suggest that children who have had an allergic reaction to egg but not anaphylaxis can receive the vaccine without special precautions, but those who have had anaphylactic reactions to egg should be vaccinated in hospital. The recent controversy over the MMR vaccine and its
possible role in inflammatory bowel disease and autism is discussed. The
author points out that in the now considerable body of research looking into
this, no group has found evidence of a link, and suggests issues that should
be discussed with parents requesting single vaccines. MacDonald TM and Wei L. Effect of ibuprofen on cardioprotective effect of aspirin. The Lancet 2003; 361: 573-574 This trial of more than 7000 patients discharged after first admission for cardiovascular disease adds support to the hypothesis that ibuprofen may interact with the cardioprotective effects of aspirin, at least in patients with established cardiovascular disease. Patients taking both aspirin and ibuprofen had higher risk of mortality than those taking aspirin alone. All patients had survived for at least one month after discharge. The lead author, Professor Tom MacDonald, is reported in
Nursing Times (18 February, p6) as saying that nurses should advise
patients taking aspirin to avoid using ibuprofen for pain relief and to use
alternatives such as paracetamol or diclofenac instead. He suggested that
practice nurses should search their patient registers and advise those at
risk. Armstrong K. Childhood immunisation and vaccination. Practice Nurse 2003; 25(8): 24-27 This article covers the schedule for childhood
vaccinations, how to manage un-immunised children who need vaccination, how
to look after vaccines and when it is safe to administer them, issues of
consent, safety and legality, and how to address parental concerns about
vaccine safety. Hurt RD. et al. Nicotine patch therapy based on smoking rate followed by bupropion for prevention of relapse to smoking. J Clin Oncology 2003; 21(5): 914-920 In this multi-site trial, bupropion did not reduce relapse to smoking in smokers who had quit with nicotine patch therapy, nor did it initiate abstinence among smokers who had failed to quit with nicotine patch therapy. At the end of nicotine patch therapy in 578 participants, those who had stopped smoking were eligible for either bupropion or placebo phases for 6 months for relapse prevention and those who had not were eligible for either bupropion or placebo for 8 weeks of treatment. Of those who entered the relapse prevention phase, 28% and 25% were not smoking after 6 months for bupropion and placebo respectively (P=0.73). For those still smoking, 3.1% and 0.0% stopped smoking with bupropion and placebo, respectively (P=0.12). Website: www.jco.org
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