Cindy A. Gruwell

Epidural analgesia is one of the most common forms of pain relief during labor and delivery. However, despite its benefits, it is not without risk. Two notable complications of epidural use are postdural puncture headache and maternal hypotension, both of which can affect maternal health and overall experience. Maternal hypotension following epidural administrations has been linked to reduced uteroplacental blood flow, increasing the risk of fetal complications (Anim-Somuah et al., 2018). Meanwhile, post dural puncture headache has been associated with more long-term maternal complications, such as chronic headache, back pain, and auditory disturbances (Lacombe et al., 2022). Understanding how often these complications occur, and under what conditions, is critical to improving maternal safety and enhancing clinical decision-making. Due to the frequency of epidural use, examining these risks contributes to optimizing maternal care and outcomes.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a common complication that is defined as a respiratory tract infection caused by being intubated for more that 48-72 hours and occurs in 27% of patients in the ICU (Shanmugananth et al., 2022). Understanding ways to prevent this serious illness will lead to health promotion and better patient outcomes. If the solution is as simple as changing the patient's position it would increase good outcomes and comfort during care.

Patients who are deaf or hard of hearing are unable to communicate their needs without an interpreter. An interpreter is used to translate sign language to the provider and patient. The deaf population consists of patients who have profound hearing loss or are unable to hear. The majority of deaf patients' report being overlooked in the healthcare setting due to a lack of understanding and communication between the provider and themselves. Lack of effective communication potentially impacts level of trust.

Roughly five out of every 100 children in the United States, or 3.3 million children, are prescribed medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).The use of stimulant medications to treat ADHD raises concerns because these drugs may stunt a growth, making children more petite than they otherwise would have been. Insufficient understanding of the effects of stimulant medicines on devolvement will make it more difficult for medical professionals to diagnose, treat, and educate patients.

Autism spectrum disorder affects 1 in 100 children per the World Health Organization. Heavy metals that are often associated with ASD include lead, cadmium, manganese, arsenic, mercury, zinc, copper, cesium, and aluminum. These neurotoxic metals cause neurological deficits and congenital anomalies in developing children. Standard behavioral health screenings in children are used by various professionals such as nurses and teachers to determine if developmental delays are present.

The lithotomy position has been the standard birthing position since the 17th century. There are many other positions available to moms that have been researched as effective, more comfortable for the birthing woman, and associated with less complications. There are many interventions that can be applied to a laboring mom and we wanted to conclude if a certain position resulted in more or less pharmaceutical additives.

Standardized handoff: Structured transfer of patient care information and responsibility between healthcare providers. Handover communications: Casual sharing of patient care details and responsibilities among healthcare providers without a structured format. E-handoff communication: Digital exchange of patient care information and responsibility using electronic systems between healthcare providers. The nursing handover process is crucial for maintaining continuity of care

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose a significant public health concern in the United States. Adolescents and young adults ages 15 to 24 make up nearly half of all STI cases in the United States. STIs cause significant medical, social, and economic burdens. Measuring adolescent sexual behaviors, attitudes, and condom usage is challenging due to privacy concerns, social taboos, and ethical considerations. Comprehensive sex education typically emphasizes abstinence as one option but also includes information about contraception, STIs, consent, and communication. There is no standard form of sexual education in American schools.