Clinical nursing practice - Brenda H Roe

Promotion of continence and management of incontinence is an important aspect of nursing practice. Within the last decade, more than 300 specialist continence advisors have been appointed throughout the United Kingdom, following the recommendations of Dame Phyllis Friend, then Chief Nursing Officer at the Department of Health and the Action on Incontinence Working Group (1983).;The aim of this book is to present contributions from individuals who are specialists within this field, who have undertaken individual research or who have a critical command of the research into incontinence. Each chapter presents their subject along with a critical review of the literature and research evidence from which clinical nursing practice should be based. Recommendations for practice are made and areas for further research identified.;The book is intended for a wide audience, clinically and geographically.;In Chapter 1, Anne Mohide reviews recent studies dealing with the prevalence of urinary incontinence, highlighting the need for clear definitions and the difficulty of comparing studies due to different methodological approaches. Chapter 2 presents the causes and types of urinary incontinence necessary for deciding upon the most appropriate clinical management. Chapter 3 deals with the assessment of incontinence using a variety of techniques, such as interviews, physical examination, use of bladder (frequency/volume) charts to establish baseline micturition patterns and non-invasive techniques to obtain clinical specimens. Finally, the use of urodynamic investigations for the accurate diagnosis of urinary incontinence are described. Chapters 4 and 5 deal with the promotion of continence using bladder re-education or pelvic floor muscle re-education. Chapter 5 goes on to deal with clinical practices for the re-education of pelvic floor muscles, using exercise, electrical stimulation and biofeedback.;Chapters 6, 7 and 8 deal with the management of incontinence using a variety of incontinence aids and appliances, intermittent self catheterization and the use of an indwelling urethral catheter. Chapter 9 presents a definitive account of faecal incontinence, its prevalence, aetiology and practical management. Chapter 10 describes the initiatives and strategies for the promotion of continence and management of incontinence by setting up a Continence Advisory Service. In chapter 11, Brenda Roe presents a critical review of the literature pertaining to patient education and incontinence and discusses the role of the nurse versus nurse specialist for continence teaching.