Homeostasis--the key concept to physiological control.
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Blood Coagulation↗
Biomedical subjects
A McVicar
Publications and source records attributed to A McVicar.
Homeostasis--the key concept to physiological control.
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Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena↗
Homeostasis--the key concept to physiological control.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Hemodynamics↗
The respiratory system and homeostasis.
Respiratory homeostasis is concerned with the regulation of a blood gas composition that is compatible with maintaining cellular homeostasis. Provided that the lung-capillary exchange barrier does not prevent the exchange of gases, then blood leaving the lung will have oxygen and carbon dioxide partial pressures that are similar to the average values found in the alveoli. Alveolar ventilation establishes these values. If blood gas composition, especially of carbon dioxide, moves outside the homeostatic range, the change is detected by chemoreceptors and respiratory responses are promoted which change alveolar ventilation, alter alveolar gas composition and so reverse the change. Ventilation therapies provide the means of artificially restoring alveolar gas composition. In general terms, they do this by raising the partial pressure of oxygen within the alveoli either by using oxygen-enriched gas mixtures, or by improving the ventilation of alveoli using positive pressure.
Blood Gas Analysis↗
Which infusate do I need? Physiological basis of fluid therapy.
A variety of infusates are used, and it is important that the consequences of overinfusion are understood. Infusates are used to expand the intravascular volume or to influence solute composition of body fluids. Choice of infusate depends upon the underlying physiological disturbances. The basis of infusate choice, the actions of frequently-used infusates and the consequences are outlined.
Body Fluid Compartments↗
Subjectivity of pain.
The aim of this article is to explore the sociopsychophysiological subjective nature of pain, using Melzack and Wall's gate control theory of pain. In addition, the basis of pain control will be examined.
Humans↗
Subjectivity of stress.
Stress is a sociopsychophysiological response to environmental stressors. In this article the subjectivity of stressors and the stress response are explored. There is a critical appraisal of physiological and biological theories regarding stress.
Homeostasis↗
Circadian rhythms. 1: Physiology.
Circadian rhythms are repeated psychophysiological patterns of the body. They are endogenously controlled and environmentally modified and are therefore a sociopsychophysiological phenomenon. Subjectivity of circadian rhythms occurs with relation to the individual circadian parameters and also within different individuals. The hypothalamus appears to be the master clock synchronizing the free-running rhythms of individual circadian control centres. Internal synchronisation occurs when the rhythms are within their homeostatic ranges.
Circadian Rhythm↗
Relevance of the nature vs nurture debate to clinical nursing.
The philosophy of holistic care underpins nurse education, and the 'nature-nurture debate' is frequently used to facilitate discussion regarding the influence of interactions with the environment in 'shaping' the individual. A limitation to this approach is that much of the work cited in the literature relates primarily to psychosocial interactions. This conveys a narrow perspective on holism, and creates an impression that the debate cannot be applied to other aspects of health and wellbeing, yet models of nursing care emphasize the need for nurses to appreciate the interactional basis of health. This article uses examples from mental health, physical health and the influence of ageing, to argue that interactions must be viewed from a much wider perspective. Only in doing so can the principles and application of holistic care, and an understanding of the bases of health education practices, be appreciated.
Aging↗
Clinical implications of circadian rhythmicity for nurses and patients.
Recent research suggests that our biological rhythms are regulated by the light/dark cycles and regular time cues in our environment which synchronize our internal body clocks to a 24-hour cycle. Altering these external cues can cause an imbalance, in psychophysiological variables which adversely affect an individual's performance and health. This article considers the implications of desynchronized circadian rhythms on nurses working shifts in a continually changing temporal environment. It then discusses the impact this has on patients, their illness and their care. The authors suggest ways in which an understanding of the principles of circadian rhythms can be used to reduce the negative effects of hospitalization on patients, possibly even aiding their recovery.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Homeostasis: a framework for integrating the life sciences.
Nurse education curricula continue to emphasize the holistic nature of health and ill-health. As a concept, holism recognizes that the interactions between a person and his/her environment are significant factors in shaping the individual, and important determinants of wellbeing. Psychosocial interactions as a basis for health now figure prominently in nursing curricula. In contrast, the applied biological sciences have increasingly become marginalized, yet knowledge of the biological construct of the individual, and an understanding of how it is influenced by psychosocial interactions, are also necessary if holistic care is the aim. Nursing models attempt to reinforce holistic principles, but the integrative nature of health and illness needs to be established before their application. This article proposes that the concept of homeostasis, and its relationship to systems theory, provides a workable framework for teaching the basis of health, and so forms a foundation for the application of nursing theory and nursing models.
Biological Science Disciplines↗
The biosciences and fitness for practice: a time for review?
The learning of biosciences by preregistration students has been recognized as being problematic, and the need for better resourcing of education has been identified. The Project 2000 initiative (UKCC, 1988) expanded the breadth and dept of the curriculum content in order to support the delivery of holistic care, and so the resources for bioscience education seemed likely to remain limited. However, the UKCC has concluded that there has been a shortfall in the acquisition of practice skills by preregistration students (UKCC, 2001). To address this, new directives indicate that curricula should move to competency-based outcomes and use student-focused learning. However, there is a lack of clarity as to what the basic expectation is for bioscience learning at registration, and how this might be continued in postregistration programmes. The authors argue that if resources for bioscience teaching in preregistration curricula cannot be improved then it is time to review the situation to ensure that expectations are realistic and attainable. Criteria are required to establish exactly what life-long learning means in relation to the biosciences, from registration through to specialist practice.
Biological Science Disciplines↗
Balancing efficiency, cost-effectiveness and patient choice in opioid selection.
Recent UK government initiatives have stressed the importance of patient choice in health care. In relation to palliative care, this involves the achievement of the best quality of life, respect for patient autonomy and choice over treatment options. Regarding selection of analgesic, the treatment options are evaluated by considering efficacy and potency, routes of delivery, titration and conversion, adverse effects and cost effectiveness. This article explores these issues in relation to the rationale for choice of strong opioids. Morphine and diamorphine are usually considered the most effective, 'first-line' analgesics but is this necessarily the case when patient choice is put into the equation? There is a case for more flexibility in selecting the opioid depending upon individual circumstances. Opioid selection should take into account quality of life issues. However the scope for opioid selection seems likely to be restricted by considerations of cost effectiveness. The challenge is to ensure that the patient voice is heard.
Analgesics, Opioid↗
Circadian rhythms. 2: Shift work and health.
Health is associated with normal synchronised psychophysiological circadian rhythms. Synchronisation is endogenously controlled and environmentally modified according to homeostatic principles. Desynchronisation occurs when the circadian rhythms are outside their homeostatic range; this is known as a phase shift. If phase shifts are imposed chronically, as in shift work, then continued desynchronisation (homeostatic imbalance) results in illness.
Circadian Rhythm↗