Smoking cessation strategies among adults: the role of nurses - Essay Example

Smoking cessation strategies among adults: the role of nurses al affiliation Smoking cessation strategies among adults: the role of nurses Smoking and the need for cessation Smoking cigarettes in most cases leads to negative longevity among different populations globally. Tobacco smoke contains harmful chemical compounds that can cause respiratory problems, cancer, and cardiovascular illnesses (Zwar, Mendelsohn & Richmond, 2014). The prevalence of smoking among adults particularly in the UK has been stable at around 45 per cent of the whole population (Action on smoking and Health, 2013). Considering the dangers associated with smoking, smoking cessation interventions should be adopted by nurses in order to improve general health. Accordingly, this annotated bibliography addresses the use of Evidence Based Practice by nurses in helping adults in the cessation process. The need for Evidence Based Practice In general, Evidence Based Practice (EBP) refers to the process by which medical practice uses information obtained from available evidence to deliver quality health care to patients. According to Gordon & Watts (2011), EBP should be used together with clinical knowledge and skills in order to ensure quality service delivery. According to Craig & Smyth (2011) EBP requires the nursing professional to possess the skills necessary for accessing and using appropriate evidence and integrate them with an understanding of patients’ needs. This integration allows the nurse to make sound decisions during specific clinical situations, as not all evidence is applicable to all situations. For example, Zwar, Mendelsohn & Richmond (2014) write that EBP can be used in smoking cessation, whereby the health professional asks, advises, assesses, assists, and arranges for the patient to quit smoking. The use of EBP is very important since it gives the nursing professional a wide range of information from various disciplines such as public health, psychology, and sociology thus leading to the delivery of quality and well-informed care. According to Eizenberg (2011), the incorporation of EBP in patient care means that the patient is more likely to recover because the methods being used in care delivery have been tested and proven to work in similar situations. McEwen, A., Hajek, P., McRobbie, H., & West, R. (2008). Manual of Smoking Cessation: A Guide for Counselors and Practitioners. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. The book focuses principally on the strategies used by health care professionals in helping adults particularly inpatients stop smoking. For example, the authors provide the behavioral support intervention that is aimed at withdrawal. Here, the nurse integrates evidence-based treatment with advice and medication. The process involves motivating the patient to quit, setting a quit date, explaining withdrawal symptoms and giving medication. According to the authors, nicotine replacement therapy and bupropion are the only available smoking medications in the UK. The book also recommends the use of the evidence- based “4 As” in helping patients to quit smoking. Ideally, a nurse should ask if the patient is a smoker, if the answer is in the affirmative, the nurse should then advise the patient to quit smoking by explaining the risks of smoking and the benefits associated with smoking cessation. After giving advice, the nurse should then assess the quitting options fit for the patient depending on the patients’ nicotine dependency level and the patient’s current health condition. Lastly, the nurse should assist the patient in the smoking cessation process by offering counseling in relation to behavioral change. The assistance should also integrate medication, for example, the prescription of nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, and bupropion. Thomas, K. (2013). Smoking Cessation Treatment and Risk of Depression, Suicide, and Self-Harm in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink: Prospective Cohort Study. British Medical Journal, 347:F5704 The article addresses the use of various types of drugs by nurses in helping smokers with the cessation process, and the effects of these drugs on the patients. When giving smoking cessation drugs, nurses often have a choice between giving the patient drugs that do not contain nicotine and nicotine replacement therapy. In most scenarios, nurses prescribe varenicline and bupropion as non-nicotine drugs to help in smoking cessation. Thomas writes that since varenicline and bupropion were introduced as smoking cessation drugs, there have been concerns that the use of these drugs could lead to increased self-harm. Study results, according to the authors reveal that the use of varenicline, and bupropion, does not lead to increased self-harm as compared to the use of nicotine replacement therapy. This means that nurses and patients should not be wary of using varenicline and bupropion, as the two drugs have been tested and proven to have no negative effects on users. uk addresses the various types of drugs and other interventions that nurses ations. 000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2012). Smoking Cessation: Introduction. Retrieved from: www.evidence.nhs.uk. The article addresses the benefits associated with the decision to quit smoking, while also giving information on how exactly nurses are useful in helping smokers to quit. Among the benefits associated with smoking cessation according to the article are healthier skin, improved breathing, and reduced risk of heart-related illnesses. The authors recommend that if a person wants to cease smoking, then they should seek the help of a general practitioner to help them in the process. Here, an EBP strategy is employed whereby the patient’s level of addiction is assessed then the benefits of smoking are outlined. This helps the nurse to identify the most effective way of helping a given smoker in the cessation process. For instance, the use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is proven to work towards helping smokers to quit by giving alternative nicotine supplements such as chewing gums and lozenges. In addition, nurses are advised to give smoking cessation medication such as bupropion and varenicline which are important in easing nicotine cravings. Conclusion Although smoking among adults is not on the rise, respiratory related illnesses that stem from smoking. Smoking cessation in this group, therefore, requires nurses to use Evidence Based Practice in order to curb the rates of smoking-related deaths. In using EBP, nurses need offer counseling advice to smokers by asking them if they are willing to quit, advise them on the importance of quitting, assess their quitting options, assist them to quit. In addition, nurses should integrate medication and finally conduct a follow up on the patient’s progress. Using this method, higher rates of smoking cessation will be achieved among adult smokers. Word count 1025 References Action on Smoking and Health. (2013). Smoking statistics: who smokes and how much. Retrieved from: www.ash.org.uk. Craig, J., & Smyth, R. (2011). Evidence-Based Practice Manual for Nurses. London: Elsevier. Eizenberg, M. (2011). Implementation of Evidence-Based Nursing Practice: Nurses’ Personal and Professional Factors? Journal of Advanced Nursing 67(1): 33–42. Gordon, J., & Watts, C. (2011). Applying Skills and Knowledge: Principle of Nursing Practice F. Nursing Standard. 25(33): 35-37. McEwen, A., Hajek, P., McRobbie, H., & West, R. (2008). Manual of Smoking Cessation: A Guide for Counselors and Practitioners. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2012). Smoking Cessation: Introduction. Retrieved from: www.evidence.nhs.uk. Thomas, K. (2013). Smoking Cessation Treatment and Risk of Depression, Suicide, and Self-Harm in the Clinical Practice Research Datalink: Prospective Cohort Study. British Medical Journal, 347:F5704 Zwar, N., Mendelsohn, C., & Richmond, R. (2014).Supporting Smoking Cessation. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 348: f7535. Read More