Breaking New Grounds through Prostate Cancer Risk Reduction

There are several famous men who had prostate cancer. Here in the Philippines, the Honorable Raul Roco, succumb to prostate cancer in 2005 at the age of 64.

Prostate gland is found only in males. The prostate gland encircles the upper part of the urethra and lies below the neck of the bladder. It secretes a thin, milky alkaline fluid containing high levels of zinc, calcium, citric acid, and acid phosphatase. This fluid protects the sperm fro the acidic environment of the vagina and the male urethra. When a portion of the prostate enlarges, it may impinge upon the flow of urine.

Prostate cancer is the fourth leading cause of Cancer in the Philippines among males. Among the risk factors for developing prostate cancer are, race, ethnicity, family history (if your father has it, you are more prone to have it), age (>50), lifestyle (diet, smoking, alcohol drinking), chronic diseases (obesity, diabetes). An elevated Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA, a laboratory test), increases the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Photo from: http://wellness.blogs.time.com/

GlaxoSmithKline  has launched the new indication for Dutasteride, a drug approved by the local Food and Drug Administration, on its use for the reduction of in the risk of prostate cancer by 23 % overall.

“ Fight prostate cancer before it even start”, as the battle cry of GSK in bringing a medicine that is affordable to Filipinos to improve their chances of protecting themselves against this deadly cancer. Dutasteride, a new weapon to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

If you have prostate gland health concerns, visit your Urologist for further information about Dutasteride, for proper assessment and treatment.

Nursing case presentation by student nurses is an effective tool in acquiring knowledge about  diseases, enhances critical thinking, practices their ability to apply the nursing process and improves their communication skills.

A very important component of a nursing case presentation is the collection of data about the client both subjective and objective. This means a thorough Nursing Health history, physical assessment and the results of laboratory test and diagnostic procedures.

Here is an outline on how to go about your nursing case presentation.

I.  Nursing Health History

• Biographic Data
• Chief Complaint (Chief Complaint may be different from reason for visit) Reason for Visit (reason the patient states for seeking care)
• History of the Present Illness
• Past history
  • General state of health
  • childhood illnesses
  • Immunizations
  • adult illnesses
  • psychiatric illness
  • operations
  • injuries
  • hospitalizations
  • current medications
  • Allergies
• Family History of Illness
  • the age and health or age and cause of death of each immediate family member
  • the occurrence within the family of any of the following conditions ( diabetes, TB. heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, kidney disease, cancer arthritis, anemia, mental patient
• Menstrual and Obstetric History (if applicable)
• Lifestyle/ Activities of Daily Living
• Social Data
• Psychological Data

II.     Patterns of Functioning /Gordon’s Functional Health Pattern
III.     Physical Assessment
IV.     Laboratory/ Diagnostic Examination Results
V.     Medications. IV infusions, Blood Transfusions, treatments given
VI.     Review of Systems
VII.     Anatomy and Physiology
Review of the organ system and its function related to illness of the client
VIII.     Pathophysiology of the disease
IX.     Prioritized List of Nursing problems
X.     Nursing Care Plan
XI.     Discharge Plan

If you need help about your nursing case presentation, you can leave a comment on this blog. Hope this guide will help you my dear students!

If you are a nursing student drop out but had a change of heart and decided to go back to school and pursue a nursing course again, you may want to assess your options. Most especially if you have taken your Nursing Care Management (NCM) courses like NCM 101 and 102. In most schools the subjects for the old CMO #30 are not being offered anymore because they are implementing the new CHED CMO #14. One has to follow the subjects for the new curriculum, meaning the students has to repeat her NCM subjects because, course descriptions are different.

For example, in CMO 14, NCM 101 is Care of Mother, Child and Family, NCM 102 is Care of Mother, Child, Family and Population Group at-Risk Or with Problems, plus subjects like Health Assessment and Theoretical Foundations of Nursing. There is no Health Care 1 and 2 subjects in CMO #14. New subjects are nursing informatics and 2 elective subjects in the fourth year.

In the old CMO # 30, NCM 102 is Medical and Surgical nursing, and Physical assessment is integrated in NCM 100.In such cases, you have to re-enroll such courses again to be in line with CMO #14. Before enrollment, better clear this up with your course adviser and school registrar.

I suggest that you scout for schools still offering the old curriculum until next semester (October 2010) so that your previous courses will not be wasted and you will not be required to re enroll subjects in order to be in line with CMO # 14.

You may want to read the guidelines regarding nursing graduates requirements for the filing of applications for the Nurse Licensure Examinations

• NEW INTRA-PARTAL, IMMEDIATE CARE OF THE NEWBORN, AND INTRA-OPERATIVE (D.R., CORD CARE, and O.R.) POLICY-GUIDELINES shall apply and SHALL BE EFFECTIVE beginning Academic Year 2009-2010 and thereafter.

• REVISED GUIDELINES ON Deliveries (Intra-Partal), CORD CARE (Immediate Care of the Newborn), and Operating/Surgery (Inta-Operative) Requirements for Nursing Graduates covered by CMO No. 30.

DENGUE HEMORRHAGIC FEVER

• is an acute infectious disease manifested initially with fever.

Transmission

Aedes aegypti, the transmitter of the disease, is a daybiting mosquito which lays eggs in clear and stagnant water found in flower vases, cans, rain barrels,old rubber tires, etc. The adult mosquitoes rest in dark places of the house.

Signs and Symptoms

• Sudden onset of high fever which may last 2 to 7 days.
• Joint & muscle pain and pain behind the eyes.
• Weakness
• Skin rashes – maculopapular rash or red tiny spots on the skin called petechiae
• Nosebleeding when fever starts to subside
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting of coffee-colored matter
• Dark-colored stools

Prevention and Control
• Cover water drums and water pails at all times to prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
• Replace water in flower vases once a week.
• Clean all water containers once a week. Scrub the sides well to remove eggs of mosquitoes sticking to the sides.
• Clean gutters of leaves and debris so that rain water will not collect as breeding places of mosquitoes.
• Old tires used as roof support should be punctured or cut to avoid accumulation of water.
• Collect and dispose all unusable tin cans, jars, bottles and other items that can collect and hold water.

Note: from HEALTH ADVISORY . National Center for Health Promotion. National Center for Disease Prevention and Control

For more health advisories visit alagangnars.com

UPDATE:

As of September 1, 2010, the DOH reported 62,503 Dengue cases with 465 deaths recorded..

Secretary of HEALTH Dr Enrique Ona said that instead of confining patients in a hospital facility, parents and caregivers can practice the D.E.N.G.U.E. strategy. D.E.N.G.U.E. stands for D – daily monitoring of patient’s status, E – encourage intake of oral fluids like oresol, water, juices, etc, N – note any dengue warning signs like persistent vomiting and bleeding, G – give paracetamol for fever and NOT aspirin, because aspirin induces bleeding, U – use mosquito nets and E – early consultation is advised for any warning signs.

Do you want a US or Australian BSN diploma while studying in the Philippines? Arellano University’s International Nursing Program (INP) has a tie-up with Alderson-Broaddus College in West Virginia,USA  and Edith Cowan University in Perth,Australia .

Nursing students under this program while studying at Arellano University International Nursing Program will use either a USA or Australian nursing curriculum. Nursing students will take their 3 years study at Arellano University INP in Legarda, Manila and their senior year at either Alderson-Broaddus College in West Virginia or Edith Cowan University in Australia.

High school graduates, transferees and second courses may apply. Applicants will have to pass a screening interview, a writing test and the American Council of Testing Exam (ACT).

Update:

There were two Arellano University International Nursing Students who graduated this year at the  ALDERSON-BROADDUS COLLEGE , at the same time 3 students are in their fourth level at AB College.

For further information contact the following persons

Mr Angelo Herrera :  angelo.herrera @arellano.edu.ph  / 736-95-50 / 0921-4811-586

Dr Emie Mendoza :   doc_emay@yahoo.com

Visit the website : http://www.arellano.edu.ph/inp/

Hello friends!

I must have been busy with work as a teacher , medical practitioner, and student these days. As a teacher one never stops studying, I feel I owe my students updated lessons delivered in an innovative  teaching strategy. Teaching has been becoming my passion as I add years to my life. As doctor to my patients, a well-rounded and holistic approach to therapy remains in order.

For the coming days to come, I’ll be preparing for the coming school year. Especially a new nursing curriculum is in place and will be implemented.

My life in the web in now part of distance education blog and Brinknotes Educ today podcast.,Go Go see and hear us!

In an afternoon ceremony last April 5, 2010 at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel, the College of Nursing Arellano University Pasay held their 4^th Pinning and Recognition Ceremony. The Pinning Ceremony marks the graduation of nursing students from the clinical program of the college of nursing. Arellano University Pasay nursing students were presented with pins officially recognizing their new status as graduate nurses of Arellano University.

It was attended by proud family members, friends of the graduates and school officials led by the President and CEO of Arellano University Paulino PV Cayco.

Hon. Teresita L. Barcelo,RN,MAN,Phd  served as keynote speaker for the event .In her speech, Hon. Barcelo challenged the graduates with core values to live by: love of God, integrity, excellence and nationalism. She also informed the graduates of that the Philippine Nurses Association is actively working for job opportunities such as NARS and “entreprenurse” program.

President and CEO of Arellano University congratulated the graduate nurses for their rightful passage to the school of nursing. He is very hopeful and looking forward to the graduate nurses in passing the nursing licensure examinations and keeping the record performance of Arellano University nursing graduates.

Outstanding students were awarded medals:

Florence Nightingale and Gold Medalist awardees: John D. Ricafort

Silver Medalist: Jason Cris Moleta

Bronze Medalist: Blaise U. Madamba

The Community Development Program and in cooperation with the Research and Publications Department of Arellano University System conducted a Community Organizing Participatory Action Research (COPAR) Enhancement Seminar for its nursing faculty members of Pasay and Pasig branch from March 16-19,2010.

The Arellano University COPAR Enhancement Workshop aimed to equip its present nursing faculty members with additional knowledge and skills in community organizing and research. It was a four-day seminar with Day 3 allotted to actual visit of the Arellano University adopted community in San Miguel, Bulacan.

Kabaihang Barangay .. Partner NGO

Founder of KB, Ms Emma S. Sta Ana

Actual application of participatory action research tools were performed by the Arellano University nursing faculty participants such as transactional walk diagram, focus group discussion and key informants interview.

AU Faculty at San Miguel Bulacan

Dr Editha L Padama , Director of the Research and Publications Department of Arellano University was the main speaker about research. Ms Andreline Ansula, as officer In charge of Community Development Program talked about the COPAR Process. Facilitators of the COPAR Enhancement Program were Mr Eliezer Manga, Mr Eduardo Azuelo and Ms Hyacinth Merioles. Read more »

Grades of nursing students during nursing case presentation can be improved if audiovisuals are selected appropriately and are use effectively.   PowerPoint presentation can greatly enhance learning inside the classroom if done properly. Gone are the days when we use, Manila paper and marking pens to make audiovisuals for our presentation.

Here are some tips that my students can use in making PowerPoint presentations.

• Font size should be 24 to 30. Arial is preferred. Use a single type of font for most of the presentation. For impact, underline or make the font bold.
• For bullet points, use the 6 x 6 Rule.  One thought per line with no more than 6 words per line and no more than 6 lines per slide. No more than 6-8 words per line.
• Capitalize titles, 35 to 45-font size
• Do not use light colored text, black and blue are very readable. Avoid dark backgrounds
• Always have a dry run of what you are to present. Have your peripherals ready, wireless mouse and extension cord is a must.
• Check the spelling and grammar of your text.
• Give a brief overview of the topic at the start.  Then present the information.  At the end, review important points.

There is always a room for improvement. Its knowledge ,attitude and skills in nursing

The Department of Health embarked on Essential Newborn Care , a new program to address neonatal deaths in the country. Under the umbrella of the Unang Yakap Campaign, Essential Newborn Care is an evidenced based strategic intervention aimed at improving newborn care and helping cub neonatal mortality.

The Essential Newborn Care package is a four-step newborn care intervention undertaken to lessen newborn death.

1. Immediate and thorough drying to stimulate breathing after delivery of the baby
2. Provision of appropriate thermal care through mother and newborn skin-to skin contact maintaining a delivery room temperature of 25-28 degrees centigrade and wrapping the newborn with clean, dry cloth.
3. Properly timed clamping and cutting of the umbilical cord, (1-3 minutes or until cord pulsation stops)
4. Immediate latching on and initiation of breastfeeding within first hour after birth.

Post-natal care required within 24 hours after birth also includes

• Cord care
• Breastfeeding
• Vitamin K injection
• Eye prophylaxis
• Delayed bathing until 6 hours of life
• BCG and first dose of Hepatitis B Immunization
• Newborn screening

The Essential Newborn Care Package aims to reduce newborn mortality rate from 13 deaths (2006 FPS, NSO) to 10 per 1000 live births by 2015.