ALOE VERA - Fact or Fiction?

Aloe vera, the Mexican healing plant, is the time-honored home remedy for a variety of human ills, but very few doctors know anything about it. For this reason, the journal Cutis (37L106) recently reviewed the plant’s chemical ingredients and pointed out that many of them are medicinally active. For instance, aloe contains an enzyme which neutralizes bradykinin, the natural substance that is formed by injured tissues and that is responsible for swelling and pain. This can account for the soothing effect of aloe juice upon superficial burns.

Magnesium lactate, another ingredient, blocks the formation of histamine, the natural substance formed by the body in response to allergic insults. That would explain why aloe can help to soothe poison ivy rashes and insect bites.

The plant also contains another anti-inflammatory compound that rather closely mimics the effects of aspirin and its newer variants (such as Motrin and Nuprin). This probably accounts for aloe juice’s usefulness in certain types of long standing dermatitis and as a healing promoter for certain ulcer (e.g: those due to varicose veins).

Last but not least, aloe contains anthroquinone, an irritant that accounts for its usefulness as a laxative and that, when applied to skin, is sometimes beneficial in psoriasis.

Depending upon where an aloe plant is grown, the amounts and proportions of these ingredients vary and, thus, it is likely that some plants will be better than other for specific purposes. Aloe on the skin, unfortunately, sometimes triggers a contact rash or an allergy. Such reactions are rare, however, and this is fortunate since aloe vera has become one of the most popular ingreadients in cosmetics.

Source: Health Tips Encyclopedia

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JULY    

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS and NOTES:

* Prices are subject to change without notice

1.    Above times and dates are subject to change depending on demand and venue availability.

2.    Written tests (Listening, Reading and Writing sections) are administered in the morning (9:00 am - 12:00 nn) of the test date.

3.    Speaking tests are scheduled at the discretion of the test centre, in the period of 3 days before or after the written tests.

4.    Confirmation of IELTS test venue and schedule: Manila - Candidates will be receiving confirmation letters with the test details including their interview time slots 1 week before their test date. Province - Candidates will receive a telephone call confirming their test details 3 days before their test date.

5.    Please call our office at least 3 days prior to the test date to confirm the venue and time for the written tests if you have not been notified in writing.

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In my previous post, points TIA as a warning symptom of stroke. The next topic mentions the use of pharmacological regimen as a stroke prevention - Aspirin.

It has been known for some time that a small daily dose of aspirin reduces the incidence of stroke. It does this by affecting certain types of our blood cells.

As a recap, Blood cells are of three types: red cells (which carry oxygen), white cells (which defend us against infection), and platelets (plate-shaped cells that seal holes in blood vessels). Whenever there is bleeding, thousands of platelets settle at he chemical that starts blood clotting at the site of injury. Drugs like aspirin, that “stabilize” platelets by slowing up their sealing and clotting activities, therefore cause increased bruising and more prolonged bleeding than would be expected after minor trauma.

On the good side, daily doses of aspirin can help to prevent clots from forming spontaneously inside blood vessels, thereby also helping to prevent stroke (due to clotting in an artery of the brain) and myocardial infarction (heart attack due to blocking of a coronary artery).

During a recent study in France, Internal Medicine Alert (5#3:11) reports, either a daily aspirin or placebo (the patients did not know which) was taken by patients who had experienced transient ischemic attacks. Results were clear cut, with only 10 percent of the aspirin group develop stroke, as compared to 18 percent in the placebo group.

This French study confirmed earlier studies in the United States and Canada but differed from them in showing that aspirin can prevent strokes not only in men but also in women. This was an important contribution. Women are more likely to benefit equally with men when their aspirin dosage is reduced in proportion to their lower weight. One baby aspirin (about 100 mg) daily is probably enough.

Aspirin as a preventive treatment may much more powerful than has so far been suspected. A Georgetown University neurologist who is an expert on this subject believes that, until now, researchers have focused too much upon the number of strokes that occur on various preventive regimens. More meaningful information can be obtained, he believes, when one studies the severity of strokes as well as their numbers.

Thus, Modern Medicine (26#12:8) reports, a daily aspirin reduces the severity of strokes even more than it reduces their number. Preliminary clinical studies even suggest that daily aspirin cuts the number of strokes that are severe (fatal ones or those that leave the victim paralyzed) by 80 percent. The strokes that occur on this regimen have usually been mild ones from which most of the victims have recovered fully. Additional studies are now is progress to determine if this exciting preliminary work can be confirmed.

Source: Health Tips Encyclopedia

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WARNING OF STROKE

Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIA) are disturbance of brain function, usually lasting from two minutes to two hours, but sometimes for as long as 24 hours, which leave no trace. During a TIA, the victim may be paralyzed, unable to talk, or experience tingling or other unusual feelings on one side of the face or in one side of the body. There may also be dizziness, or partial loss of vision and hearing. One or more of these phenomena can occur repeatedly, or they may appear in different combinations from time-to-time, ranging from momentary dimming of vision to severe but temporary stroke-like attacks.

Caused by temporary blockage of arteries supplying the brain, TIAs often result from blood clots carried there from elsewhere in the body. A failing heart or a damaged heart valve is the usual site of the clot formation, but other conditions (including atherosclerosis, diabetes, or early tumors) may provide the stimulus for clotting. For this reason, anyone who begins having TIAs needs to be examined by a physician to determine whether medical or surgical treatment is required for an underlying disease.

Even when no underlying cause is found, TIA victims can benefit from continuous anticoagulant drug treatment to slow the clotting process. This treatment should be carefully monitored and changed at intervals to match the patient’s varying needs. Regular follow-up visits to the doctor are therefore essential, even though one may feel perfectly well.

Source: Health Tips Encyclopedia

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Sample Speaking Test!

Describe one of the shopping centers you often go to

1) Where is the shopping center?

2) How often do you go to the center?

3) Why do you often go to it and its characteristics?

Follow-up:

• Will smaller shops survive in the current business system?

• What are the characteristics of shopping malls and smaller shops and their difference?

• What is the trend of future shopping centers?

• Talk about Internet shopping

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Professional Adjustment and Bioethics Sample Practice Test

1. RA 6425 States that NOBODY MUST DO ANY OF THE FF. IN RELATION TO PROHIBITED DRUGS

   a. report suspected users of prohibited drugs

   b. sell, administer, and prescribe

   c. use yellow prescription for doctors

   d. sell, administer, deliver

2. Which legislation aims to promote and improve the social and economic well-being of health workers in government service?

   a. Alma ata

   b. Magna carta

   c. PD 626

   d. RA 7164

3. The doctrine of Respondeat Superior will apply in all of the following except:

   a. Error was committed while on duty

   b. Nurse applied rules of the hospital

   c. Nurse followed legal orders of the doctor

   d. Nurse was doing a discretionary function

4. You have just finished your morning duty shift. Which of the ff is not part of the verbal report during the endorsement to the afternoon shift?

   a. Mrs X had been uncooperative and overacting the whole morning

   b. Mr Y is for barium enema in AM

   c. Mr. Z’s IV site will be due today 11am, materials at the patient’s cubicle

   d. Mr O’s pain in the leg is relieved by hot compress

5. The main basis for endorsement while doing this nursing rounds during a change of shift is primarily one of the following?

   a. Information in the kardex

   b. routine nursing care

   c. prescribed medication

   d. client’s health needs

6. A patient refused to be injected his IM medication. The nurse insisted despite the patient’s refusal and forcibly injected the medication. The nurse can be sued for which of the following?

   a. misrepresentation

   b. assault

   c. malpractice

   d. negligence

7. When a patient falls from a bed, which of the following is your most immediate action?

   a. report to the head nurse and call someone for help

   b. refer to the resident doctor on duty

   c. determine any injury or harm

   d. put the patient back to bed

8. Maintaining privacy and confidentiality is an important aspect in which of the following?

   a. nurse’s code of ethics

   b. hospital policy

   c. what all the client’s expect

   d. it is an accepted practice

9. The following are exempting circumstances to a liability in a criminal act except?

   a. children below 9 years old

   b. mentally retarded

   c. force majeure

   d. persons above 70 years old

10. When the nurse steals the money of an unconscious patient assigned to her. The existing nurse-patient relationship will make the liability of the nurse:

    a. mitigated

    b. aggravated

    c. justified

    d. exempted

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 Sample Nursing Practice Test: Oncology

1. Lymph and blood are key mechanism by which cancer cells spread. Angiogenesis, a mechanism by which tumor cells are ensured of blood supply. The most common mechanism of metastasis is:

   a. Angiogenesis

   b. Direct Extension

   c. Hematogenous

   d. Lymphatic spread

2. Dietary factors contributing to the decreasing incidence of cancer are the following, except:

   a. High fiber and low fat

   b. Vitamin E, C, zinc rich foods

   c. Cruciferous and carotenoids vegetables

   d. Low fiber and high fat diet

3. Schistosoma haematobium is associated with:

   a. Bladder

   b. Cholangiocarcinoma

   c. Kaposi’s sarcoma

   d. Ionizing radiation

4. A child who is on a course of chemotherapy for osteogenic carcinoma develops neutropenia. It is important for the nurse to include which of these measures in the child’s care plan?

   a. Applying a lanolin based emollient to the child’s skin

   b. Determining whether the child has pain in the lower extremities

   c. Observing the child for signs of infection

   d. Encouraging the child to drink fluids high in vitamin C

5. The nurse is teaching a wellness promotion course to make college students. The nurse should indicate the importance of doing testicular self-examination at which time?

   a. weekly at the same time of the day

   b. monthly after warm bath or shower

   c. Whenever they experience pain in or itching of the scrotum

   d. Every other month until the age of 40

6. A client receiving IV chemotherapy is experiencing nausea. Which of the following would be best to lessen the severity of nausea?

   a. Administer Antiemetics when the client complains of nausea

   b. Offer warm liquids during chemotherapy

   c. Administer Antiemetics before chemotherapy

   d. Encourage the client to eat a full meal before receiving chemotherapy

7. The radiation oncologist marks specific locations for radiation treatment using a semi-permanent type of ink. Treatment is usually given for how long?

   a. 1 hour, 4 days per week, for for 1 to 2 weeks

   b. Depends on the doctors order

   c. 15 to 30 minutes, 5 days per week, for 2-7 weeks

   d. 30 minutes to 1 hour, 3-5 days, for 3-5 weeks

8. Which of the following anticipatory guidance related to hair loss (alopecia) and regrowth is true and correct except:

   a. Loss of hair occurs over a period of days to weeks

   b. Regrowth usually occurs 6 to 8 weeks after completion of therapy

   c. Color and texture of regrown hair is no different from hair growth prior to loss

   d. Encourage client to obtain scarves, turbans, caps, and / or wigs prior to hair loss

9. Which of the following clinical manifestations would be most significant when assessing a patient who is suspected of having breast cancer?

   a. Nipple discoloration

   b. Breast enlargement

   c. Breast tenderness

   d. Nipple retraction

10. The following are characteristics of benign neoplasms. Select all that apply:

    a. Rate of growth is usually slow

    b. Gains access to the blood and lymphatic channels and metastasizes to other areas of the body

    c. Tumor grows by expansion and does not infiltrate the surrounding tissues; usually non-encapsulated

    d. Localized phenomenon

    e. Often causes extensive tissue damage

    d. Does not usually cause death

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Correct Answers: 1. D 2. D 3. A 4. C 5. B 6. C 7. C 8. C 9. D 10. A/D/F

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 Protein Malnutrition

Protein deficiency is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• loss of weight
• general weakness
• less resistance to infection
• dry and scaly skin
• edema
• paleness

In addition, growth in children is very slow and in serious cases is retarded. Protein malnutrition is known as kwashiorkor. Children with kwashiorkow are in many cases thin with pot-bellies, swollen feet, dry and abnormal hair, and sometimes with skin lesions.

Sources of Protein:

Excellent sources of complete proteins are of animal origin. This include the following: Meat, fish, poultry, milk, cheese, eggs, glandular organs.

Plant sources include legumes and nuts. Prominent among these is soybean which is available in the market in various forms such as tokwa, tofu, tahu, tahure, tausi, and soya milk. Monggo which is usually prepared in Filipino homes as viand (ginisang monggo) is also a good source.

Below is a partial list of protein-rich animal and plant sources:

• Animal Sources: lean meat, chicken, eggs, cheese, dried fish, fresh fish, shellfish, milk and dairy products.
• Plant Sources: legumes and seeds, such as sitaw, monggo, kadyos, habitsuelas, garbanzos, linga, etc; nuts such as peanuts, coconut, pili, cashew, etc; rice, corn, bread; toge, bataw, sitaw, sitsaro; carrot, beets, leafy vegetables.

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 DOCUMENTATION

Detailed documentation is crucial for high quality patient care. It allows nurses to:

1. Monitor changes in patient’s condition
2. Make decisions about the patient’s needs
3. Minimize the risk for errors
4. Ensure continuity of care
5. Save time and money

Rules of Documentation:

1. Only document after you have assessed, evaluated, or implemented patient care
2. Documentation should meet standards of the Nurse Practice Act and standards of your facility
3. Support your documentation with facts, assessment findings, and patient statements
4. Include negative and positive findings so other health care providers can tell if the patient’s condition has changed
5. It is not sufficient to simply identify problems in chart, you should also document actions taken and MD orders implemented.
6. Use correct grammar, spelling, legible handwriting. If you come across a poorly written order, never guess. Always call the writer for clarification. Your patient’s life could depend on it.
7. Use measurable terms: cc, inches, pounds, ounces, feet.

DO’s of Good Charting:

1. Do document pain accurately; specify location, use pain rating scale, include patient’s description of pain in her own words.
2. Do select words that are specific, clear, and descriptive. Example: Patient’s skin is hot and flushed, complaining of nausea.
3. Do follow professional standards for nursing care.
4. Do name everyone involved in patient’s care.
5. Do use only standard abbreviations. Write out the names of all drugs to decrease potential for medication errors. Do not create your own abbreviations to save time. You will waste another nurse’s time to figure out what it means.

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COMMUNITY HEALTH NURSING PRACTICE TEST

1. In a patient with scabies which herbal medicine is appropriate?

   a. Sambong

   b. Niyug-niyugan

   c. Bawang

   d. Ampalaya

2. Which of the following aromatic herbal plants is used for respiratory problems, such as fever and cough?

   a. Lagundi

   b. Sambong

   c. Niyug-niyugan

   d. Erba Buena

3. In the absense of Oresol (ORS) you teach the patient to use a home-made ORS for diarrhea which consists of the following except?

   a. Salt

   b. Sugar

   c. Tea

   d. Water

4. A group of patients in a community is seeking the help of the community health nurse on the community health nurse on the appropriate herbal medicine to use. Which of the following patients require a need for further teaching?

   a. A patient with insect bite; using herba buena

   b. A patient with edema using sambong

   c. A patient with fungal infection using alkapulko

   d. A patient with headache using bawang

5. Which is the least likely activity to be conducted at the clean and green environmental project?

   a. garbage collection and disposal

   b. cleaning of drainage / canals and esteros

   c. grass cutting / cleaning / clearing

   d. burning of dried leave at designated areas

6. An example of tertiary prevention with the adult population is

   a. Early diagnosis and treatment of chronic illnesses, such as diabetes

   b. Teaching healthy living habits to keep illnesses from occurring

   c. Providing adults with skills to be effective health care consumers

   d. Attempt to reduce the extent and severity of injuries that have occurred

7. A community health nurse frequently has contact with adolescent runaways in an urban community. While caring for such clients, the nurse should monitor them for evidence of:

   a. Seizure disorders

   b. STDs

   c. Delayed development

   d. Skin and respiratory allergies

8. In a community where the most residents have incomes below the defined poverty level, a community health nurse is planning programs to meet the community’s needs. Which of the following should the nurse first take into consideration?

   a. The residents may be unaware that their low incomes make them eligible for food stamps

   b. State Medicaid programs provide funds that can pay for health care for the residents

   c. Many of the residents delay or ignore care to pay for food or housing

   d. The residents are more likely to use less expensive outpatient services and avoid hilot care.

9. Nanay Edna, a 93 year-old widow with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), osteoporosis, and CHF, has expressed a desire to remain in her home until she dies. In preparing a nursing care plan for her, the community health nurse’s priority should be to:

   a. Prepare family members to provide her care

   b. Prevent accidents that can result in injuries

   c. Ensure maintenance of her functional abilities

   d. Ensure compliance with prescribed treatments

10. A community health nurse works for a public health unit in an area that has a limited shelter for the homeless and evacuees at times of disaster. Which of the following nursing diagnosis reflects a major concern for the shelter?

    a. Increased incidence of influenza related to crowded conditions and lack of access to immunizations

    b. High prevalence of obesity related to diets, which include great amounts of high-calorie foods

    c. Increased prevalence of hearing and vision impairments related to lack of access to preventive care

    d. High incidence of inflammatory bowel disease related to repeated exposure to gastrointestinal pathogens.

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Answers:

1. A. 2. A. 3. C 4. D 5. D 6. D. 7. B. 8. C. 9. C. 10. A

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