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Ms. T is 28 weeks pregnant with her third child. She notices a thin, grayish vaginal discharge, a fishy odor. She is concerned about her pregnancy and sees her nurse practitioner (NP) right away.

The NP suspects bacterial vaginosis and consults the Nursing Reference Center, searching for "Bacterial Vaginosis During Pregnancy."

Quick Lesson - Bacterial Vaginosis During Pregnancy

She teaches Ms. T about bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy and schedules a follow-up to confirm the diagnosis and administer antibiotics if appropriate. 

Note: The above referenced Quick Lesson is freely accessible to all readers of the Nursing Reference Center Update.

Nurses are at the forefront of pressure ulcer prevention. Each nurse thoroughly inspects bony prominences, documenting skin changes and repositioning patients at least every two hours. Nurses use care when repositioning by using draw sheets and hoists, and helping each other avoid applying unnecessary pressure to the patient's skin.

Pressure-reducing mattresses, protective padding, pillows, ensuring clean bedding and gowns, keeping skin clean and dry help prevent pressure ulcers.

Nurses work with clinicians, registered dieticians, and physical therapists to prevent pressure ulcers. Nurses ensure at-risk patients eat a high-protein diet with ample calories and fluids. Nurses may also suggest physical therapy to prevent contractures and to develop an exercise program for patients at-risk for pressure ulcers.

Nurses also educate patients and their families about at-home strategies to prevent pressure ulcers such as positioning, timetables for repositioning, and tips on keeping skin clean and dry.

Each week the Nursing Reference Center Editorial Team reviews and evaluates thousands of articles for inclusion within our evidence-based content to deliver the best available evidence at the point-of-care. In addition to the hundreds of new papers that were added to the Nursing Reference Center during the fourth quarter of 2009, our systematic literature surveillance (SLS) program resulted in the retrieval of more than 3,000 recent articles on Nursing Reference Center topics.

Some highlights from our SLS program: