• Title/Summary/Keyword: simple tests

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STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF COMPREHENSIVE NURSING CARE ON THE ADJUSTMENT OF CHILDREN TO HOSPITALIZATION (유.소아를 위한 포괄적 간호가 그들의 병원생활 적응에 미치는 영향에 관한 연구)

  • 이자형
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.3 no.3
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    • pp.97-110
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    • 1973
  • The goal of modern nursing is to provide comprehensive nursing care to patients. If comprehensive nursing care to children (within the hospital setting) is to be provided, consideration of the stage of growth and development of the child is especially important. From clinical observation, it appeared that nurses often disregarded individual requirements of children in giving nursing care. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to show that comprehensive nursing care which is based on an understanding of the growth and development of the child contributes to both the child and the mother's adaptability to the child's hospitalization. Method: Sixty children, three to three year of age, hospitalized at the Yonsei University Pediatric Ward ware studied. From April 1, 1973 to May 5, 1973, children admitted to the hospital were assigned to either an experimental or a compare groups. There were 30 children in each group. The sex and age of the children in each group was similar. In both groups were more male than female children. In the experimental group, each mother stayed with hot child continuously during his hospitalization. In the compare groups, the mother or some other member of the family stayed with the child. Each day on the child's admission the investigator visited the ward from 1-2 P.M. to 9-10 P.M., in order to provide comprehensive care for the experimental -group. The assistance given the nurses by the investigator was in the form of conferences regarding care and in giving direct care to the child and his mother. The compare group of children received nursing care as usually provided by the hospital. The instruments used to obtain the data for analysis were as follows: 1. The fear and anxiety reaction of the child was recorded by observation of the investigator for four areas: 1) separation from parent and relatives 2) reaction to Doctor and Nurse with white gowns 3) reaction to nursing care 4) reaction to injection and tests, etc. 2. Regression in area of eating, sleeping, and elimination were recorded by the investigator by questioning the mother and by observation. 3. Adaptability to the hospitalization was recorded by direct questioning of the children for areas of emotional and social adjustment. For children older than 3 years of age or children not seriously ill, using the simple I. Q. test this was possible for only 35 of the total 60 children. Result: 1. 55 percents of the total 60 children had been prepared by their parents for hospitalization. The children who had received prior preparation accepted hospitalization more readily than those who had received no preparation. (χ²=4.6 Ρ<0.05) 2. On admission 31.7 percent of the children expressed verbal fear of their discase or treatment. 25 percent felt that the disease was due to their mistake. 3. There was a significant difference in the reaction of the child to separation from the parent or relatives between the two groups. The experimental groups showed less anxiety due to separation than the compare group. (χ²=4.34 Ρ<0.05) In both groups there was less anxiety due to separation among school age (6-12 years) children than among preschool age (3-5 years) children. (χ²=9.22 Ρ<0.05) 4. More than half of the children in both groups reacted with fear and avoidance to doctor and/or nurses wearing white gowns. (χ²=0.06 Ρ<0.05) 5. The experimental group reacted more favorably to nursing in general than the compare group. (χ²=4.8 Ρ<0.05) 6. There was no difference in the fear and refused reaction to special tests and/or such as X-rays and injections, etc. between the groups. (χ²=3.77 Ρ<0.05) 7. More children in the compare group showed regressive tendencies in eating, sleeping, and elimination habits than in experimental groups. (χ²=2.3 Ρ<0.05 χ²=3.88 Ρ<0.05 χ²=4.9 Ρ<0.05) 8. There was a significant difference in the adaptability to hospitalization between the two groups. The experimental groups adapted more readily. (χ²=2.02 Ρ<0.05) 9. For children who had higher I.Q. s the adaptability to hospitalization was better regardless of the group. (χ²=5.03 Ρ<0.05) However, because of the small number of cases (60), this finding cannot be extrapolated without further verification. The date demonstrates that there was a greater adaptability to hospitalization by the child when comprehensive nursing care was given. By planning care and applying knowledge of growth and development to meet, nurses are in a position to prevent some of the psychological trauma associated with hospitalization.

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A study of Conjunctival Cellular Changes in Dry Eye Patients by Impression Cytology (Impression cytology를 이용한 건성안의 결막 세포변화에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Jai-Min;Kho, Eun-Gyung;Chae, Soo-Chul;Kim, Soon-Ae
    • Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.333-343
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    • 2004
  • Impression cytology refers to application of cellulose acetate filter material to the ocular surface to remove the superficial layers of the conjunctival epithelium. The technique is non-invasive, is easy to perform, causes minimal discomfort to the patient, and can be used to follow changes in the conjunctival ocular surface over time. With this method, the morphology of the conjunctival ocular surface can be studied and the degree of squmaous metaplasia assessed. This study was performed to evaluate the conjunctival surface by impression cytology in dry eye patients. A total of 70 students with no contact lens wearing history were recruited. Subjects were required to fill in a McMonnies dry eye symptom questionnaire. The non-invasive tear thinning time(TIT) test of each subject was measured, followed by Schirmer tear test(STI), tear film break-up time(TBUT) tests and Rose-bengal staining were performed as a baseline. Conjunctival epithelial cells from the inferior bulbar conjunctiva were harvested by the impression cytology technique. The specimens collected were labelled and stained with PAS(Periodic Acid Schift)-haematoxylin. The goblet cells and conjunctival epithelial cells were observed under a light microscope of 400x magnification. The specimens were classified according to the Nelson Grading scale which was based on the degree of squamous metaplasia such as changes of goblet cells density, size/form, N:C(nucleus : cytoplasm) ratio. Dry eye patients were observed morphological changes of the epithelial cells, different nuclear alterations, decrease of the goblet cells density. The degree of cytological changes was related to severity of dry eye conditions. When the epithelial cell morphology was graded according to the system described by Nelson, specimens from the control group revealed 91.43% of the eyes to be grade 0 and 8.57% to be grade 1, whereas of the dry eye patients, 20% were grade 0, 42.86% grade 1, 34.29% grade 2 and 2,86% grade 3. Impression cytology represents a non- or minimally invasive biopsy of the ocular surface epithelium with no side effects or contraindications. It has demonstrated to be a useful diagnostic aid for a wide variety of processes involving the ocular surface. This technique is a safe, simple method and may help increase understanding of various ocular surface alterations in dry eye patients.

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Analysis of Urinary Mass Screening for Second Grade of Elemantary School Children in Paju City (파주 지역 초등학교 2학년생에게 실시된 집단 뇨검사 분석)

  • Kim Sung Kee;Kim Young Kyoun;Park Yong Won;Lee Chong Guk
    • Childhood Kidney Diseases
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    • v.5 no.2
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    • pp.156-163
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    • 2001
  • Purpose We performed urinary mass screening(UMS) program for 2,804 children of second grade elemantary school 8 years of age in Paju city with cooperation of Paju City Health Center to determine the prevalence of asymptomatic proteinuria and hematuria, and to estimate the risk of incipient renal diseases. Also we attempted to evaluate the significance of hematuria in UMS in addidtion to proteinuria. Methods : 2,804 children of the 2nd grade of elementary school who lived in Paju city were included to our UMS program in 2000. They were constituted with 1,428 boys and 1,376 girls. The screening program was carried out in 3 steps The 1st screenig test was performed at schools and then students with abnormal results were examined repeatedly at Paju City Health Center and our hospital. Those students who showed proteinuria and/or hematuria in the 1st and 2nd test were referred to our hospital to undertake the 3rd close examination including physical examination, laboratory tests and radiologic tests. Results : (I) The prevalence of urinary abnormality in the 1st screening test was $8.3\%$(233 students), comprised of $5.9\%$ of boys, $10.8\%$ of girls. (2) Among 2,804 children tested in the first screening, prevalences of asymptomatic proteinuria and isolated hematuria were 64($2.3\%$), 163($5.8\%$) respectively, and the prevalence of proteinuria with hematuria was 6($0.2\%$). (3) Among 233 students with urinary abnormalities at the 1st screening test, 102 students applied to the 2nd test. 32 children, about one third of them, were also found to have abnormal urinary findings ; isolated hematuria 30, proteinuria with hematuria 2. (4) Those findings of clinical evaluation for children with isolated hematuria at the hospital showed as follows: idiopathic isolated microscopic hematuria 21, normal 6, urinary tract infection 1, idiopathic hypercalciuria 1 and simple renal cyst 1. Those 2 students with proteinuria and hematuria seemed to have chronic glomerulonephritis. Conclusion : (1) The clinical evaluation for children who showed positive results at the 1st screening test should be done judiciously. Because of high false positive rate, almost who showed positive results was normal, only a few of them had pathologic conditions. In this study, actual incidence of incipient renal diseases in children of 8 year old was calculated to be $0.4\%$. (2) The definite conclusion whether a urinary mass screening test can alter the prognosis of incipient renal diseases could not be drawn with this study. Further study must be necessary (3) We could acknowledge the significance of hematuria in UMS, but it is necessary that one should be judicious in managing and follow-up those that show abnormal results. (J Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 2001;5 : 156-63)

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Soil Testing for Potassium in Upland Soils -Review on the Methodologies- (밭토양(土壤)에 대(對)한 가리(加里) 검정(檢定))

  • Hong, Chong Woon
    • Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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    • v.10 no.3
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    • pp.153-170
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    • 1977
  • Considering the ways for the possible improvement of soil test for upland crops, various methods for the evaluation of K supplying power and testing of available soil K were reviewed in terms of theoretical principles and practical usefulness of the each method. The review was also made on the characteristics of upland crops in K requirement and on the chemical properties of major korean upland and lowland rice soils in terms of K availability. Following is the few remarks drawn from the review. 1. Quite large number of methods have been known for the evaluation of K supplying power and testing for available soil K. In nature, they can be divided into two categories; capacity-based methods and intensity-based methcds. The capacity-based methods usually measure the exchangeable and some portion of nonexchangeable K, while the intensity-based methods suggest to consider the ractivity ratios of major cations in soil solution and the energy requirement for the replacement of exchangeable soil K into soil solution. 2. As methodology for extraction of interested part of soil K, chemical extraction, electrodialysis and ion exchange methods have been known. Among these, chemical extract ion is favorable because of its simplicity. However, recently suggested Electro-Ultra-Filtration method seems to merit further study for wider use for not only K but also other nutrient availability of soils. 3. The intensity-based methods, although they are more theoretical, because of their complexity, in methods may not be adapted for practical soil tests. 4. The exchangeable K which is rather simple to measure and which well reflects the status of K reserve as nonexchangeable and is immediate pool of water soluble K may be good, if not best, criterion of soil K availability to plant in common soil testing. 5. Because there are evidences that the abundance of available K alone may not be good inclication for availability of K to plant, it is recommendable to interprete the exchangeable K data as percent saturation of exchangeable K to total C. E. C. of soil for the recommend ation of K fertilizer based on soil tests. 6. Some pot and field trial results showed the trends that percent potassium saturation to total C. E. C. better serve as the parameter for K fertilizer recommendation.

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The Associated Factors with Scaling Experience among Some Workers in Small and Medium-Sized Companies (중소 사업장 근로자의 치석제거 경험 관련요인)

  • Lee, Jae Ra;Han, Mi Ah;Park, Jong;Ryu, So Yeon;Lee, Chul Gab;Moon, Sang Eun
    • Journal of dental hygiene science
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    • v.17 no.4
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    • pp.333-340
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    • 2017
  • The prevalence of periodontal disease was steadily increased. The best prevention methods for periodontal disease are teeth brushing and scaling. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of scaling experience and related factors among some workers. Total 455 workers in 5 manufacturing companies in Gwangju were selected using convenience sampling method. General characteristics, work-related characteristics, oral health-related characteristics and scaling experience were collected by self-reported questionnaires. Chi-square tests, t-tests and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to investigate the factors influencing the scaling experience using SPSS software. Statistical significance was defined as a p-value<0.05. The proportion of scaling experience during the past year was 47.0%. In simple analysis, age, current working position, number of oral disease, interest in oral health, use of secondary oral products, oral health screening use, oral health education experience and awareness of scaling inclusion in the National Health Insurance (NHI) coverage were associated with scaling experience. Finally, the odds ratios (ORs) for scaling experience were significantly higher in younger subjects (adjusted OR [aOR], 3.09; 95% confidence internal [CI], 1.60~5.96), assistant manager (aOR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.55~4.63), subjects with high interest in oral health (aOR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.02~4.52), subjects with oral health screening use (aOR, 2.76; 95% CI, 1.50~5.11) and awareness of scaling inclusion in the NHI coverage (aOR; 2.91, 95% CI, 1.80~4.72) in multiple logistic regression analysis. Scaling experience was relatively low (47.0%). The related factors with scaling experience were age, working position, use of screening and awareness of scaling inclusion in the NHI coverage. Considering these factors will increase the utilization rate of scaling.

Biological Toxicity Assessment of Sediment at an Ocean Dumping Site in Korea (폐기물 배출해역 퇴적물의 생물학적 독성평가 연구)

  • Seok, Hyeong Ju;Kim, Young Ryun;Kim, Tae Won;Hwang, Choul-Hee;Son, Min Ho;Choi, Ki-young;Kim, Chang-joon
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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    • v.28 no.1
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    • pp.1-9
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    • 2022
  • The effect of sediments in a waste dumping area on marine organisms was evaluated using sediment toxicity tests with a benthic amphipod (Monocorophium acherusicum) and bioluminescent bacterium (Vibrio fischeri) in accordance with the Korean Standard Method for Marine Wastes (KSMMW). Nine sites in the East Sea-Byeong, East Sea-Jeong, and Yellow Sea-Byeong areas were sampled from 2016 to 2019. The test results showed that the relative average survival rate (benthic amphipods) and relative luminescence inhibition rate (luminescent bacteria) were below 30%, which were judged to be "non-toxic." However, in the t-test, a total of 12 benthic amphipod samples (6, 1, 1, and 4 in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, respectively) were significantly different (p<0.05) from the control samples. To identify the source of toxicity on benthic amphipods, a simple linear regression analysis was performed between the levels of eight heavy metals (Cr, As, Ni, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Hg) in sediments and the relative average survival rate. The results indicated that Cr had the highest contribution to the toxicity of benthic amphipods (p = 0.000, R2 = 0.355). In addition, Cr was detected at the highest concentration at the DB-85 station and exceeded the Marine Environment Standards every year. Although the sediments were determined as "not toxic" according to the ecotoxicity criteria of the KSMMW, the results of the statistical significance tests and toxicity identification evaluation indicated that the toxic effect was not acceptable. Therefore, revising the criteria for determining the toxic effect by deriving a reference value through quantitative risk assessment using species sensitivity distribution curves is necessary in the future.

Lung Clearance of Inhaled $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA by Urine Excretion Ratio (소변내 방사능배설량비를 이용한 $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA 폐청소율에 관한 연구)

  • Suh, G.Y.;Park, K.Y.;Jung, M.P.;Yoo, C.G.;Lee, D.S.;Kim, Y.W.;Han, S.K.;Jung, J.K.;Lee, M.C.;Shim, Y.S.;Kim, K.Y.;Han, Y.C.
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.40 no.4
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    • pp.357-366
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    • 1993
  • Background: Lung clearance of inhaled $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA reflects alveolar epithelial permeability and it had been reported as more sensitive than conventional pulmonary function tests in detecting lung epithelial damage. However, measuring lung clearance of inhaled $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA by gamma camera may not always reflect alveolar epithelial permeability exactly because it is influenced by mucociliary clearance depending on the site of particle deposition. Moreover, this method takes much time and patient's effort because he has to sit or lie still in front of the camera for a prolonged period. Most of the absorbed DTPA is excreted in urine within 24 hours and the amount of excreted DTPA in urine during the first few hours after inhalation is influenced by absorption rate which is correlated with the alveolar-epithelial permeability suggesting that the urinary excretion, especially in first few hours, may be an alternate index for lung clearance. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of ratio of excreted $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA in 2 hour and 24 hour urine as an index of alveolar-epithelial damage. Methods: Pulmonary function tests including diffusing capacity and lung clearance of $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA measured by gama camera ($T_{1/2}$) and 2hr/24hr urine excretion ratio (Ratio) of inhaled $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA in 8 normal subjects and 14 patients with diffuse interstitial lung disease were compared. Results: 1) In the normal control, there was significant negative correlation between the $T_{1/2}$ and the Ratio (r=-0.77, p<0.05). In patients with diffuse interstitial lung disease, there also was significant negative correlation between $T_{1/2}$ and Ratio(r=-0.63, p<0.05). 2) In diffuse interstitial lung disease patients, the $T_{1/2}$ was $38.65{\pm}11.63$ min which was significantly lower than that of normal control, $55.53{\pm}11.15$ min and the Ratio was $52.15{\pm}10.07%$ also signifantly higher than that of the normal control, $40.43{\pm}5.53%$ (p<0.05). 3) There was no significant correlations between $T_{1/2}$ or Ratio and diffusing capactiy of lung in both patients and controls (p>0.05). Conclusion: These results suggests that 2hr/24hr urine excretion ratio of inhaled $^{99m}Tc$-DTPA is a useful simple bedside test in assessing alveolar epithelial permeability and that it may be used as an additive follow-up test in patients with diffuse interstitial lung disease complementing conventional pulmonary function tests.

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Study of Patient Teaching in The Clinical Area (간호원의 환자교육 활동에 관한 연구)

  • 강규숙
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.3-33
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    • 1971
  • Nursing of today has as one of its objectives the solving of problems related to human needs arising from the demands of a rapidly changing society. This nursing objective, I believe, can he attained by the appropriate application of scientific principles in the giving of comprehensive nursing care. Comprehensive nursing care may be defined as nursing care which meets all of the patient's needs. the needs of patients are said to fall into five broad categories: physical needs, psychological needs, environmental needs, socio-economic needs, and teaching needs. Most people who become ill have adjustment problems related to their new situation. Because patient teaching is one of the most important functions of professional nursing, the success of this teaching may be used as a gauge for evaluating comprehensive nursing care. This represents a challenge foe the future. A questionnaire consisting of 67 items was distributed to 200 professional nurses working ill direct patient care at Yonsei University Medical Center in Seoul, Korea. 160 (80,0%) nurses of the total sample returned completed questionnaires 81 (50.6%) nurses were graduates of 3 fear diploma courser 79 (49.4%) nurses were graduates of 4 year collegiate nursing schools in Korea 141 (88,1%) nurses had under 5 years of clinical experience in a medical center, while 19 (11.9%) nurses had more than 5years of clinical experience. Three hypotheses were tested: 1. “Nurses had high levels of concept and knowledge toward patient teaching”-This was demonstrated by the use of a statistical method, the mean average. 2. “Nurses graduating from collegiate programs and diploma school programs of nursing show differences in concepts and knowledge toward patient teaching”-This was demonstrated by a statistical method, the mean average, although the results showed little difference between the two groups. 3. “Nurses having different amounts of clinical experience showed differences in concepts and knowledge toward patient teaching”-This was demonstrated by the use of a statistical method, the mean average. 2. “Nurses graduating from collegiate programs and diploma school programs of nursing show differences in concepts and knowledge toward patient teaching”-This was demonstrated by a statistical method, the mean average, although the results showed little difference between the two groups. 3. “Nurses having different amounts of clinical experience showed differences in concepts and knowledge toward patient teaching”-This was demonstrated by the use of the T-test. Conclusions of this study are as follow: Before attempting the explanation, of the results, the questionnaire will he explained. The questionnaire contained 67 questions divided into 9 sections. These sections were: concept, content, time, prior preparation, method, purpose, condition, evaluation, and recommendations for patient teaching. 1. The nurse's concept of patient teaching: Most of the nurses had high levels of concepts and knowledge toward patient teaching. Though nursing service was task-centered at the turn of the century, the emphasis today is put on patient-centered nursing. But we find some of the nurses (39.4%) still are task-centered. After, patient teaching, only a few of the nurses (14.4%) checked this as “normal teaching.”It seems therefore that patient teaching is often done unconsciously. Accordingly it would he desirable to have correct concepts and knowledge of teaching taught in schools of nursing. 2. Contents of patient teaching: Most nurses (97.5%) had good information about content of patient teaching. They teach their patients during admission about their diseases, tests, treatments, and before discharge give nurses instruction about simple nursing care, personal hygiene, special diets, rest and sleep, elimination etc. 3. Time of patient teaching: Teaching can be accomplished even if there is no time set aside specifically for it. -a large part of the nurse's teaching can be done while she is giving nursing care. If she believes she has to wait for time free from other activities, she may miss many teaching opportunities. But generally proper time for patient teaching is in the midmorning or midafternoon since one and a half or two hours required. Nurses meet their patients in all stages of health: often tile patient is in a condition in which learning is impossible-pain, mental confusion, debilitation, loss of sensory perception, fear and anxiety-any of these conditions may preclude the possibility of successful teaching. 4. Prior preparation for patient teaching: The teaching aids, nurses use are charts (53.1%), periodicals (23.8%), and books (7.0%) Some of the respondents (28.1%) reported that they had had good preparation for the teaching which they were doing, others (27.5%) reported adequate preparation, and others (43.8%) reported that their preparation for teaching was inadequate. If nurses have advance preparation for normal teaching and are aware of their objectives in teaching patients, they can do effective teaching. 5. Method of patient teaching: The methods of individual patient teaching, the nurses in this study used, were conversation (55.6%) and individual discussion (19.2%) . And the methods of group patient teaching they used were demonstration (42.3%) and lecture (26.2%) They should also he prepared to use pamphlet and simple audio-visual aids for their teaching. 6. Purposes of patient teaching: The purposes of patient teaching is to help the patient recover completely, but the majority of the respondents (40.6%) don't know this. So it is necessary for them to understand correctly the purpose of patient teaching and nursing care. 7. Condition of patient teaching: The majority of respondents (75.0%) reported there were some troubles in teaching uncooperative patients. It would seem that the nurse's leaching would be improved if, in her preparation, she was given a better understanding of the patient and communication skills. The majority of respondents in the total group, felt teaching is their responsibility and they should teach their patient's family as well as the patient. The place for teaching is most often at the patient's bedside (95.6%) but the conference room (3.1%) is also used. It is important that privacy be provided in learning situations with involve personal matters. 8. Evaluation of patient teaching: The majority of respondents (76.3%,) felt leaching is a highly systematic and organized function requiring special preparation in a college or university, they have the idea that teaching is a continuous and ever-present activity of all people throughout their lives. The suggestion mentioned the most frequently for improving preparation was a course in patient teaching included in the basic nursing program. 9. Recommendations: 1) It is recommended, that in clinical nursing, patient teaching be emphasized. 2) It is recommended, that insertive education the concepts and purposes of patient teaching he renewed for all nurses. In addition to this new knowledge, methods and materials which can be applied to patient teaching should be given also. 3) It is recommended, in group patient teaching, we try to embark on team teaching.

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The Effect of Glucocorticoid on the Change of Nitric Oxide and Cytokine Levels in Induced Sputum from Patients with Bronchial Asthma (기관지 천식 환자에서 부신피질 스테로이드 투여 전후 유도객담내 Nitric Oxide 및 Cytokine의 변화)

  • Kim, Tae-Yon;Yoon, Hyeong-Kyu;Choi, Young-Mee;Lee, Sook-Young;Kwon, Soon-Seog;Kim, Young-Kyoon;Kim, Kwan-Hyoung;Moon, Hwa-Sik;Park, Sung-Hak;Song, Jeong-Sup
    • Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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    • v.48 no.6
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    • pp.922-931
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    • 2000
  • Background : It has been well known that bronchia1 asthma is a chronic airway inflammatory disorder. Recently, sputum induced with hypertonic saline was introduced as a simple and useful nonivasive medium to investigate airway inflammation and symptom severity in patients with asthma. We examined the eosinophil, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), interleukin(IL)-3, IL-5, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating facta (GM-CSF), and nitric oxide (NO) derivatives in induced sputum from patients with bronchia1 asthma in order to determine the role of NO and various inflammatory cytokines as a useful markers of airway inflammation or changes in pulmonary function tests and symptoms. Methods : A total 30 patients with bronchia1 asthma received oral prednisolone 30 mg daily for 2 weeks. Forced expiratory volume in one second ($FEV_1$), total blood eosinophil count and induced sputum eosinophil count, ECP, IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF, and NO derivatives were determined before and after the administration of prednisolone. Results : Of the 30 patients, 13 (43.3%) were male and 17 (56.7%) were female. The mean age of patients was 41.8 years (range 19-64 years). Two patients could not produce sputum at the second study and 3 could not be followed up after their first visit. Two weeks after the prednisolone administration, there was a significant increase in $FEV_1$ (% of predicted value) from 78.1$\pm$20.6 % to 90.3$\pm$ 18.3 % (P<0.001). The eosinophil percentages in induced sputum were significantly decreased after treatment with prednisolone, with values of 56.1$\pm$27.2 % versus 29.6$\pm$21.3 % (P<0.001), and ECP were $134.5\pm68.1\;{\mu}g/L$ versus $41.5\pm42.4\;{\mu}g/L$ (P<0.001) respectively. After the prednisolone treatments, the eotaxin concentration also showed a decreasing tendency from 26.7$\pm$12.8 pg/ml to 21.7$\pm$8.7 pg/ml. There was a decreasing tendency but no significant differences in total blood eosinophil count (425.7$\pm$265.9 vs 287.7$\pm$294.7) and in the concentration of NO derivatives ($70.4\pm44.6{\mu}mol/L$ vs $91.5\pm48.3\;{\mu}mol/L$) after the prednisolone treatments. IL-3, IL-5, GM-CSF were undetectable in the sputum of most subjects either before the prednisolone treatments or after the treatments. Before the prednisolone treatments, a significant inverse correlation was observed between FEV1 and sputum ECP (r=-D.364, P<0.05) and there was a significant correlation between sputum eosinophils and eotaxin (r=0.369, P<0.05) Conclusion : The eotaxin and ECP concentration in induced sputum may be used as markers of airway inflammation after treatments in bronchia1 asthma. In addition, the measurement of sputum eosinophil percent ages is believed to be a simple method displaying the degree of airway inflammation and airway obstruction before and after the prednisolone treatment in bronchia1 asthma. However, unlike exhaled NO, the examination of NO derivatives with Griess reaction in induced sputum is considered an ineffective marker of changing airway inflammation and obstructing symptoms.

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Diagnosis of Fatty Liver Complicated by Simple Obesity in Children: Serum ALT and Its Correlation with Abdominal CT and Liver Biopsy (소아의 단순성 비만증에 의한 지방간의 진단: ALT치와 복부 전산화단층촬영 및 간생검 소견간의 상관관계)

  • Lee, Seong-Hee;Kim, Hwa-Jung;Oh, Jae-Cheol;Han, Hae-Jeong;Kim, Hee-Sup;Tchah, Hann;Park, Ho-Jin;Shin, Mi-Keong;Lee, Min-Jin;Lee, Sang-Chun
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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    • v.2 no.2
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    • pp.153-163
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    • 1999
  • Purpose: The purpose of our study is to provide useful information for diagnostic methods of fatty liver by childhood simple obesity and to provide correlation between serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) for screening test and abdominal computerized tomography (CT) and liver biopsy for confirmative diagnostic methods of fatty liver. Methods: Among 78 obese childrens who visited our hospital, CT was carried out in 26 childrens. Of these, liver biopsy was carried out in 15 childrens who had high obesity index or severe elevated ALT. Based on the level of serum ALT, 26 cases were classified into 3 groups, and compared with physical measurements and degree of fatty infiltration on CT and liver biopsy. Results: 1) Correlation between ALT and physical measurements: Of 26 obese children, ALT was abnormally elevated (>30 IU/L) in 17 cases (67.4%) but there was no significant correlation between ALT and physical measurements (p>0.05). 2) Correlation between degree of fatty infiltration on CT and ALT: Of 26 cases, 13 cases (50%) revealed fatty liver on CT. The degree of fatty liver on CT had significant correlation with elevation of ALT (p<0.05). 3) Correlation between the degree of fatty infiltration on liver biopsy and ALT: Liver biopsy was performed in 15 cases of which 14 cases revealed fatty liver. But one case had normal hepatic histology with severe obesity and normal ALT. Fourteen fatty liver cases on liver biopsy were classified into 3 groups by the degree of fatty infiltration and analysed with obesity index and ALT. The histologic hepatic steatosis had no significant correlation with obesity index (p>0.05), but significant correlation with ALT (p<0.05). 4) Correlation between CT and liver biopsy finding: Both CT and liver biopsy were performed in 15 cases of which 6 cases revealed normal finding on CT and 9 cases manifested fatty liver. There was significant correlation between CT and liver biopsy findings (r=0.6094). Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that abdominal CT and liver biopsy are useful and accurate methods of estimating fatty liver in the childhood obesity. But biochemical abnormalities of routine liver function tests dot not correlate well with severity of the fatty liver and liver injury.

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