first year student- need help with first assignment

[new nursing student]

hi, i am just starting in my first semesta at uni and for my foundation nursing skills assessment, i need to write a essay that outlines a risk assessment in relation to maintaining skin integrity, (from a pationt example given)and then discuss stratagies to prevent pressure ulcers. the problem is i need to use at least 10 references, 7 of which need to be journal articles, but i dont really know what to look for, and where to search.

any help, or a point in the right direction would be much appreciated, thanks

kj

[DSplendid]

Hello, I would say to start with your college's library. I know in my library, we have a million journals. AJN, etc. Just go in and ask to be pointed in their direction. You can start by picking up the latest journal, and reading. Or a quicker way would be using your library's internet resources. Again, and at most colleges you can have access to Pubmed, NEJM, etc. I think AJN, may even be online. Just type in decub ulcers, skin integrity etc. Ask the staff, they will be able to help you. I had a similliar assign. in my freshman year....3, one on communications during death, copd and pt, and how to prevent med errors. I spent the whole afternoon in the library, printing and coping articles. Good luck.

[det01]

for one of your 10 references, I would use a care plan book and for another your textbook. The care plan book will guide you as to helping you learn how to plan care and rationales. The textbook should have information on the subject.

I'll give you one BIG risk...DIABETES! People with diabetes often have longer times for sores to heal. Ones that I have treated really tended to have problems with their feet. Your textbook will probally have info on this as well. Also if you can, see if for one of the sources you can interview a wound nurse. They deal with pressure ulcers all the time. Lots (if not all) of hospitals have them, as well as many home care agencies. Their job is to deal with wounds/sores people have. I am sure if you can get an interview with one they could be a very valuable source!

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

When you go searching for your journal articles look under some of these subjects: immobility, bedrest, skin care, skin ulcers, ulcer prevention. If you are looking at actual reference guide books listing articles rather than going on line, go back through several years of listings as sometimes there won't be any articles to list under the various headings during one publication cycle. Also, when you look at some actual articles also look at the references that are listed at the very end of the articles to see if any of them might be suitable to use as well. Many times authors of journal articles base their writing on landmark studies or articles that are somewhat known among the profession for the good information in them. Some years ago I did a research on chest tubes and noticed one specific journal article that several article writers had used as a reference. I decided to check it out even though it was 10 years old. Had to go into the microfilm for it. Was glad I did. It was absolutely excellent and turned out to be one of the best explanations of the physics of chest tubes I was able to find even though the article was old by most definitions.

[michellebsn]

medscape. medline. nursing journal online and other sites you can google will help get all the info also a good diagnostic guide will helpTHE NURSING DIAGNOSIS HANDBOOK by ACKLEY AND LUDWIG published by Mosby is excellent for NANDA. care plans.:)