Journal of Neuroscience Nursing

Browse past and current articles from this publication.

Innovation.(jnnonline.com)(Journal of Neuroscience Nursing launches its website)(Editorial)
Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, tells us that innovation distinguishes between leaders and followers; innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity rather than as a threat. Today, the Jour . . .

Silent aspiration: results of 2,000 video fluoroscopic evaluations.
ABSTRACT The purpose of this retrospective study of aspiration and the lack of a protective cough reflex at the vocal folds (silent aspiration) was to increase the awareness of nursing staffs of t . . .

Hemolytic uremic syndrome: a case review.(Case study)
ABSTRACT Hemolytic uremic syndrome is a complex disease that impacts multiple body systems. Knowledge gained from cases has increased understanding of etiologic factors, presenting symptoms, diagn . . .

The effectiveness of multistrategies on disruptive vocalization of people with dementia in institutions: a multicentered observa
ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the daily interventions used by the nurses on disruptive vocalization (DV). DV includes all types of disturbing or unacceptable . . .

Erratum.(Correction notice)
In the article that begins on page 131 of the June 2009 issue, there was an error in the title of Table 1 on page 134. The perfusate flow rate was incorrectly given as 0.3 ml/min; the correct perfus . . .

Epilepsy patients' conceptions of epilepsy as a phenomenon.(Report)
ABSTRACT This study addressed epilepsy patients' conceptions of epilepsy as a phenomenon and emotions related to those conceptions. Nineteen outpatients were interviewed, and data were analyzed ac . . .

The surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: overview and experience at the University of Florida.(Clinical report)
ABSTRACT Trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic douloureux, is a commonly misdiagnosed disorder characterized by intense facial pain. It is a chronic pain disorder that affects the fifth cranial ne . . .

Software-assisted spine registered nurse care coordination and patient triage--one organization's approach.
ABSTRACT Back disorders encompass a spectrum of conditions, from those of acute onset and short duration to lifelong disorders. The use of a traditional spine center model of patient flow, in whic . . .

Caregivers' experience: bimonthly participation in a year-long research interview process.
New caregivers of stroke survivors participated in a bimonthly research interview process for a year-long intervention study. The purpose of this current project was to describe the telephone interv . . .

Oh, nurse, where art thou?(Editorial)
We all recently celebrated Nurses' Week during which we were recognized by our peers, employers, patients, and families for the unique work we do and the care we provide, as well as for our professi . . .

It's not your "Run of the Mill" meningioma: characteristics differentiating low-grade from high-grade meningeal tumors.(CE)(Repo
ABSTRACT Approximately 30% of primary brain tumors are meningiomas; 90% of these are benign. The remaining 10% have aggressive pathological features and significantly higher recurrence rates. Trea . . .

Neuromonitoring in intensive care: focus on microdialysis and its nursing implications.(Clinical report)
ABSTRACT Neuromonitoring with the microdialysis technique is now being utilized at the bedside. Cerebral metabolism monitoring enables identification of clinical events hours or even days before c . . .

Carpal tunnel syndrome.(Disease/Disorder overview)
ABSTRACT Carpal tunnel syndrome is a very common peripheral neuropathy; however, its symptoms are such that they are often overlooked by patients or misdiagnosed by their primary care physicians o . . .

A critical analysis of measures of caregiver and family functioning following traumatic brain injury.(Clinical report)
ABSTRACT More than 5.3 million Americans are living with long-term disability following traumatic brain injury (TBI), and approximately 40% of TBI survivors report at least one unmet need at 1 yea . . .

The use of hypothermia as a treatment for traumatic brain injury.(Clinical report)
ABSTRACT Hypothermia has been shown to have neuroprotective effects and may have benefit in the treatment of head injuries. However, it is a controversial treatment in traumatic brain injury, and . . .

Development of the activity effort scale for women aging with paralytic polio.(Report)
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to develop and psychometrically test the Activity Effort Scale among women aging with the affects of paralytic polio. On the basis of prior qualitative resea . . .

Healthcare reform--the time is now.(Editorial)
As Americans usher in an era of political "change," healthcare reform remains a top priority. Key Congressional and Executive Branch leaders and diverse consumer groups across the spectrum of the Am . . .

A review of health-related quality of life in adult traumatic brain injury survivors in the context of combat veterans.(Report)
ABSTRACT Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) research in traumatic brain injury (TBI) populations is beginning to emerge in the literature. Because rehabilitation and reintegration issues are c . . .

Performance improvement measures in achieving glycemic control in the acute brain injury population.(CE)(Report)
ABSTRACT Glycemic control is becoming a standard practice in the intensive care environment because it has been shown to produce positive patient outcomes and benefits. A 14-bed neurointensive car . . .

Identifying the perception of needs of family members visiting and nurses working in the intensive care unit.(Report)
ABSTRACT Recent initiatives encourage a family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and invasive procedures and more open visitation policies in intensive care units (ICUs). This study in . . .

Profile, burden, and quality of life of Israeli stroke survivor caregivers: a longitudinal study.(Report)
ABSTRACT The aims of this study were to (1) delineate the sociodemographic profile of Israeli primary caregivers of stroke survivors; (2) examine the changes in caregivers' burden, physical and em . . .

The implementation of an innovative statewide quality improvement initiative.
ABSTRACT Acute stroke can result in neurological impairment and potentially death. The Colorado Stroke Alliance has made significant progress in improving stroke care through their statewide quali . . .

Novel drug delivery systems: future directions.(Pharmacology Update)(Report)
When considering methods of medication administration, one may initially consider the traditional routes: oral, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, and topical. These routes use traditional me . . .

The Clinical Practice of Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing.(Book review)
The Clinical Practice of Neurological and Neurosurgical Nursing J. V. Hickey, Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008, 816 pages, $94.95, ISBN-10:0-7817-9529-X; ISBN-1 . . .

Change.(Editorial)
Woody Guthrie was an outspoken American folk singer with a strong social conscience and populist message about the lives of millions in the United States during the Great Depression. In Woody Guthri . . .

National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale reliable and valid in plain English.
ABSTRACT The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) is commonly used in the assessment of stroke severity. Nurses, who use the tool infrequently, find it difficult to use due to the ne . . .

The domains of stroke recovery: a synopsis of the literature.(Report)
ABSTRACT Stroke is a leading cause of serious long-term disability in the United States. The neurological insult following a stroke may leave the survivor with a chronic illness encompassing a lif . . .

Estrogen and stroke: a review of the current literature.(CE)(Report)
ABSTRACT Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability annually, and one of the larger populations for which neuroscience nurses care. Differences in gender have been identified as a . . .

RN dysphagia screening, a stepwise approach.(Report)
ABSTRACT According to the Joint Commission, dysphagia, which occurs in anywhere from 27% to 50% of stroke patients and often leads to aspiration, is a significant quality/safety indicator. As such . . .

Subjective sleep, burden, depression, and general health among caregivers of veterans poststroke.(Report)
ABSTRACT The purposes of this article are to explore and describe subjective sleep experiences of informal caregivers of stroke survivors and to explore the relationships between subjective sleep . . .

DBS: uncharted territory--a nurse's perspective.(Perspectives)
Many people who contract an incurable disease devote themselves to finding a cure. I wasn't one of those people. I was a 27-year-old registered nurse who worked in the critical care division at a lo . . .

Gifts.(Editorial)
For many of us, the end of the calendar year is a time of gift giving during which most of us become caught up in the spirit. We share our abundance with those we love, those with whom we work, and . . .

Neuroscience nursing: where do we go from here?(Then & Now)
Anniversary Feature: Each 2008 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing includes an anniversary feature in which we celebrate the vision, determination, and challenges that have marked 4 decades . . .

Chronic unilateral neglect from focal meningoencephalitis lesions in an immune-compromised hemodialysis patient.(continuing educ
Abstract: Unilateral neglect (UN) is a disorder associated primarily with right-brain damage; it causes individuals to behave as if the contralesional half of their world has become unimportant or h . . .

Factors that influence health-seeking behaviors of patients experiencing acute stroke.
Abstract: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the leading cause of serious, long-term disability. Patients who sustain a sudden ischemic stroke can benefit from the a . . .

Patient and physician attitudes regarding clinical trials in neurofibromatosis 1.
Abstract: Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a multisystem genetic disorder that primarily affects the skin (freckling and cafe-au-lait macules), nervous system (neurofibromas, optic gliomas, and learning . . .

Ethical decision making in neurosurgery: a case study.(Case study)
Abstract: Neurosurgical patients often challenge their caregivers with moral issues that arise during their care. As the population ages, end-of-life decision making and flexible planning need to be . . .

A prospective baseline versus on-treatment study assessing patient perceptions of using a smaller needle when injecting intramus
Abstract: This study assessed patient perceptions of using a smaller needle (1-inch, 25- gauge) to administer weekly intramuscular (IM) interferon beta-1a (IFN[beta]-1a [Avonex]) injections. Patient . . .

Early interferon beta treatment in multiple sclerosis: nursing care implications of the benefit study.
Abstract: Interferon beta (IFNI[beta]) is a first-line treatment for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that can reduce the rate of clinical attacks and limit disability progression. Recent . . .

Challenging the gold standard: should mannitol remain our first-line defense against intracranial hypertension?
Abstract: Mannitol has long been the "gold standard" for treatment of cerebral edema and refractory intracranial hypertension in traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and stroke. Studies . . .

Why are reliability and validity important to neuroscience nurses?(Research Corner)
Have you heard this story about reliability and validity? Joe walks into an ice cream shop every night at 5 pm and orders a milkshake. Every night at about 5:05 pm, the soda clerk gives him a milksh . . .

What is evidence-based neuroscience nursing practice?(Clinical Corner)
During the last few years, there has been a proliferation of literature about the concepts best practices and evidence-based practice. These terms appear to be the latest, ubiquitous buzzwords. But . . .

The Comatose Patient.(Book review)
The Comatose Patient Eelco F.M. Wijdicks, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2008, 608 pages, $125.00, ISBN: 978-0-19532626-0/0-1953262-6-1 An important and valuable book for neuroscience nurses, Th . . .

Gray Matters.(Book review)
Gray Matters Heidi Lerner, Author House, Bloomington, IN, 2006, 240 pages, $19.95, ISBN: 978-1-42-592971-8 The author, who herself sustained a traumatic brain injury, states that this book is for . . .

Motor Development and Movement Activities for Preschoolers and Infants with Delays: A Multisensory Approach for Professionals an
Motor Development and Movement Activities for Preschoolers and Infants with Delays: A Multisensory Approach for Professionals and Families, Second Edition Jo E. Cowden and Carol C. Torrey, Charles . . .

Choice.(Editorial)
Choice can be defined as a thinking process in which we judge the merits of multiple options and then choose one of them on which to act. We make dozens of choices every day--what to eat, what to we . . .

A look at the clinical content of JNN over the last 40 years.(Then & Now)(Journal of Neuroscience Nursing)
Over the last 40 years, the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing (JNN) has evolved as the primary source of neuroscience nursing knowledge. This article examines how the clinical content of JNN has chang . . .

Pain in women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and in healthy women: a comparative study.(Clinical report)
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine multidimensional aspects of pain in women with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and in healthy women. A cross- sectional, comparative . . .

Case studies in cardiac dysfunction after acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.(Case study)
Abstract: Patients with acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) often present with more than just neurological compromise. A wide spectrum of complicating cardiopulmonary abnormalities have b . . .

Cladribine tablets' potential in multiple sclerosis treatment.
Abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system occurring in genetically susceptible individuals. T and B lymphocytes are thought to . . .