The first part of this two-part series on breathlessness (JCN 28(5): 83–90) looked at the emotional and physical distress and social isolation caused by the condition for both patients and their families, as well as examining the assessment of the condition. Refractory breathlessness, i.e. that which persists even when measures to optimise the underlying condition have been implemented, is one of the most distressing symptoms experienced by patients with advanced life-limiting illnesses. This, the second part of the series, looks at how community nurses can successfully manage patients, including lifestyle changes, self-management, psychological therapy and pharmacology.
Pain is experienced by many patients in primary and secondary care and its assessment and management is a fundamental aspect of nursing treatment. Community nurses need to possess a strong knowledge base of the various ways of treating pain to inform and advise their patients. This in turn enables nurses to help and empower patients to effectively control their pain with minimal side-effects. This article, the second in a two-part series on pain, provides an update on the management of acute and chronic non-malignant pain (the first part of this article, on the assessment of pain, appeared in Journal of Community Nursing 28[4]: 83–86).
In her second article Gaye Kyle discusses the management and treatment of constipation and the need to develop a proactive approach.
Gaye Kyle RGN is an Independent Lecturer, University of Ulster
Article accepted for publication: September 2011
