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Biomedical subjects

C A Monturo

Publications and source records attributed to C A Monturo.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Beyond sexual assessment: lessons learned from couples post radical prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: To share selected experiences of advanced practice nurses (APNs) who implemented a home-based nursing protocol related to psychosexual function for couples following radical surgery for prostate cancer. DATA SOURCES: Selected research-based articles, the PLISSIT Model for sexual rehabilitation counseling, and the authors' experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Five lessons related to communicating about sexuality and intimacy were synthesized from the experience, including examining knowledge and self-awareness regularly, using a structured interview guide to facilitate the process, developing a trusting relationship with the couple, attending to verbal and nonverbal cues, and providing information about the full range of sexual expression. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Include an assessment of sexual health as an integral part of a general health assessment. Patients do not generally volunteer information about their sexual concerns unless the subject is introduced by the APN.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1990

Enteral access device selection.

Enteral tube feedings have once again emerged as the first choice for nutritional support of the patient on the basis of safety, convenience, and economy. In order to provide adequate nutrition, an appropriate route of administration must be identified. Tube selection will depend on an accurate assessment of the patient, including the duration of therapy, history of abdominal procedures, competency of gag reflex, level of debilitation, gastrointestinal function, and discharge plan. Since placement of these tubes may involve several different physicians, a coordinator is necessary. The clinical specialist in nutrition support may be the appropriate health professional to coordinate this care. With an emphasis on shorter hospital stays, more patients may go home with enteral feeding regimens. The clinical specialist will need to be aware of these changes and become more involved in the initial enteral access device decision to insure appropriate selection.

Enteral Nutrition↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Efficacy of thrombolytic therapy for occlusion of long-term catheters.

Nineteen ambulatory outpatients requiring a tunneled central venous access device with catheter occlusion were studied. Mean catheter life was 7.9 +/- 8.2 months (range, from 1-36 months) at the time of the occlusion. Urokinase (5000 units/ml) was injected in sufficient amount to fill the internal volume of the catheter and allowed to stay for 5 to 10 min before attempting to aspirate. Repeated aspiration attempts were performed every 5 to 10 min for a maximum of 30 to 60 min or patency. In the event catheter patency was not restored, the thrombolytic solution was aspirated from the catheter and a maximum of two additional trials were instituted. Results included clearance of four out of 15 withdrawal occlusions (27%) and two out of four resistance to infusion occlusions (50%). Overall, successful catheter clearance occurred in six out of 19 occlusions (32%). The efficacy rate of thrombolytic therapy for successfully clearing occluded catheters at our institution using conventional low-dose thrombolytic therapy is markedly lower than previously reported rates of 57 to 100%. The reasons for this discrepancy may reflect differences in dosage of thrombolytic agent, method of administration, frequency of monitoring of catheter patency, and catheter life.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗