This study aimed at demonstrating that the caregiving role affected the lives of caregivers of children with cancer the child's degree of dependence regarding the performance of daily life activities (DLA), the degree of help offered by others and the degree to which some aspects of the caregiver's life were affected by caregiving activities. Interviews were held with fifty caregivers of children between the ages of three and ten in a children's hospital, a referral center for cancer and hematological disorders in Campinas, Sao Paulo. These caregiving activities seriously affect the lives of the caregivers and, therefore, an assessment of these aspects may help the nurse detect the problems and plan the healthcare needed by the caregivers of children with cancer.

513Rev Bras Enferm, Brasília 2007 set-out; 60(5): 513-8. Tensão devido ao papel de cuidador entre cuidadores de crianças com câncer RESUMOPretendeu-se identificar a freqüência do diagnóstico de enfermagem 'tensão devido ao papel do cuidador' e 'risco para tensão devido ao papel do cuidador', entre 50 cuidadores de crianças portadoras de câncer, num hospital infantil especializado em doenças onco-hematológicas de Campinas, SP. O estudo foi transversal e descritivo, os dados foram coletados por meio do prontuário e de entrevista com o cuidador, utilizando-se formulário próprio. Apresentaram 'tensão devido ao papel de cuidador 78% dos cuidadores e 100% tinham risco para tensão devido ao papel de cuidador, com a presença de, no mínimo, duas características definidoras e seis fatores de risco'. Conclui-se que os cuidadores de crianças com câncer têm alto risco para tensão devida ao papel de cuidador. Descritores: Família; Cuidado da criança; Diagnóstico de enfermagem; Neoplasias. ABSTRACT INTRODUÇÃOO surgimento de doença em um membro da família acarreta inúmeras alterações na estrutura familiar. Se a doença for o câncer, a situação agrava-se, pois é uma doença estigmatizada e temida pela população, em virtude do sofrimento que causa ao paciente e à família (1) . O diagnóstico de câncer não afeta somente o indivíduo, mas também pessoas significativas e familiares, principalmente quando uma série de tarefas de cuidado se fazem necessárias (2) . Em se tratando de crianças, dependendo do tipo de câncer, o familiar "apropria-se dos sinais externos na própria corporeidade, objetivando minimizar os efeitos produzidos e temidos pela doença na criança: as formas de tratamento clínico, cirúrgico, a dor a até a morte" (3) . O cuidador principal investe-se de poder no cuidado ao doente; é ele quem toma as principais decisões, que realiza as atividades de vida diária, que enfrenta as dificuldades para realizar os cuidados.

Objective:to investigate evidence in the literature on procedures for measuring gastric tube insertion in newborns and verifying its placement, using alternative procedures to radiological examination. Method:an integrative review of the literature carried out in the Cochrane, LILACS, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE and Scopus databases using the descriptors “Intubation, gastrointestinal” and “newborns” in original articles. Results:seventeen publications were included and categorized as “measuring method” or “technique for verifying placement”. Regarding measuring methods, the measurements of two morphological distances and the application of two formulas, one based on weight and another based on height, were found. Regarding the techniques for assessing placement, the following were found: electromagnetic tracing, diaphragm electrical activity, CO2 detection, indigo carmine solution, epigastrium auscultation, gastric secretion aspiration, color inspection, and evaluation of pH, enzymes and bilirubin. Conclusion:the measuring method using nose to earlobe to a point midway between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus measurement presents the best evidence. Equations based on weight and height need to be experimentally tested. The return of secretion into the tube aspiration, color assessment and secretion pH are reliable indicators to identify gastric tube placement, and are the currently indicated techniques.

The aim is to evaluate the medication incidents relating to incorrect oral medication preparation and administration through enteral feeding tubes in hospitalized patients. A cross-sectional design was used to observe 374 doses of medications at three Brazilian hospitals. The patients consisted mostly of females (48.6%), elderly (65.71%), using polyurethane tubes (82.9%), with jejunal access (82.9%), and circulatory system diseases (45.71%). The most common medication incidents identified were: mixing tablets with other drug(s) (43.5%) and not labelling the prepared medication (60.4%). With regards to incorrect medication administration, not flushing the tube between medications (86.5%) and administering medications together (65.6%) were the most common errors. Tube obstruction was identified in 36.5% of doses administered. There was an association between tube obstruction and mixing tablet with other drug(s); tablet incorrectly reconstituted; tube not flushed prior to medication administration; tube not properly flushed between medications; concurrent administration of a medication and enteral formula; and enteral feeding not interrupted prior to medication administration. The results contribute to the development of knowledge in order to improve hospital nursing practice, especially in developing countries. Future studies should be conducted in order to access patients' outcomes related to incorrect oral medication preparation and administration through feeding tubes.

Background: The daily family life of a child with chronic disease changes according to the illness's demands. The siblings of these children may receive less attention from both parents, as well as from the rest of the family, who may focus more on the sick child and not in a similar way on the healthy sibling. Objectives: To compile perceptions of siblings of children hospitalized due to chronic disease. Methodology: Siblings of children diagnosed with chronic diseases, aged between 8 and 16 years, participated in the study. We used open interviews, recording, transcribing, and submitting them to analysis. Results: We were able to interview only four siblings. In the interviews' analysis, four categories of results (Coping with the sibling's disease; Family restructuring; Experiences resulting from the sibling's hospitalization; and Experiences of exclusion) emerged. Conclusion: The siblings of children with chronic diseases live in a situation of vulnerability and exclusion, demonstrate difficulties in dealing with their perceptions and feelings, which proves it is essential to involve the sibling in the nursing process.