| Journals Watch
2001 This section features a constantly updated list of recently published articles relevant to nurse prescribing. Abstracts of the papers are included and incorporate an expert's opinion about the article. 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 Prescribing Formulary and Drug tariff if they are in any doubt. Analgesia Jordan S and White J. Nursing Standard 2001; 15:45-52 Summary: The clinical uses, mechanisms of action and potential side effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen and diclofenac together with paracetamol are discussed in some detail in this article. NSAIDS are estimated to cause 1200-2500 deaths of older patients every year in the UK, and account for 5% of all prescriptions and 25% of all adverse drug reactions reported to the Committee on Safety of Medicines. The article concludes that they are very useful in the management of pain and fever but that care is needed with long-term use in older patients. Website: www.nursing-standard.co.uk |