EXAMINERS'S NOTES.

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume II, Issue 2, 1 April 1909, Page 49

EXAMINERS'S NOTES.

The best replies were undoubtedly given to question II. : " The Symptoms, Nursing, and Complications of Typhoid Fever." Candidates had evidently been well grounded in this subject. Few gross mistakes were made, and the average percentage of marks was high. The question on Pneumonia was productive of suggestions which, if carried out, might be an evidence of the zeal of the nurse, but would not conduce to the comfort and safety of the patient. Among the recommendations were the following : — That the temperature of the room be from 70 deg. to 75 deg.; that the patient be placed in a steam tent ; that the mouth and teeth be cleaned twohourly, and that the patient be fed on an exclusively milk diet. Question III., on the preparation and administration of nutrient enemata, met with very indifferent treatment. Few candidates gave any details as to the peptonisation of nutrient enemata ; though almost without exception it was recommended that the milk should be peptonised. Still fewer made any mention of lavage of the rectum as a preliminary to the administration of a nutrient enema : most candidates were content with a soap and water enema every twenty-four hours. Remarkable lengths of rubber tubing — four or five feet — would, in the opinion of more than one, be requisite for a four-ounce nutrient enema. One candidate would give a four-ounce enema every two or three hours ; another would not object to administering four ounces of brandy per rectum in one act — happy patient !

On the whole the replies to this question were very disappointing. Candidates did fairly well as regards hypnotics, though some drugs were mentioned : such as phenacetin, spirits of ether, tine, camph. Co., which certainly are not usually classed under that category.