Faecal elimination

Learning Outcomes: After completing this chapter, you will be able to:- Understand the physiology of defecation- Identify factors that influence faecal elimination and patterns of defecation- Distinguish normal from abnormal characteristics and constituents of faeces- Identify common causes and effects of selected faecal elimination problems- Describe methods used to assess the intestinal tract- Identify examples of nursing diagnoses, outcomes and interventions for persons with elimination problems- Identify measures that maintain normal faecal elimination patterns- Describe the purpose and action of commonly used aperients, suppositories and enema solutions.- Outline principles of faecal stoma care for persons with an ostomy

Urinary elimination

Learning Outcomes: After completing this chapter, you will be able to:- Describe the process of urination, from urine formation through to micturition.- Identify factors that influence urinary elimination.- Identify common causes of selected urinary problems.- Describe nursing assessment of urinary function, including subjective and objective data- Identify normal and abnormal characteristics and constituents of urine.- Develop nursing diagnoses, desired outcomes and interventions related to urinary elimination.- Delineate ways to prevent urinary tract infection.- Explain the care of persons with retention catheters or urinary diversions

Effective wound management and wellbeing: guidance for clinicians, organisations and industry

In February 2011, a multidisciplinary group of clinicians and researchers met at the Wounds International conference in Cape Town, South Africa, ahead of a consensus meeting in Brussels in May 2011. The aim of the meeting was to explore patient wellbeing in relation to wound management. Several themes were discussed and are presented in this article. The key points raised will form the starting point of the consensus meeting which will aim to provide three key stake holders — clinicians, healthcare organisations and industry — with a framework to ensure that patient wellbeing is optimised when delivering effective wound management