Introduction The major salivary glands can be stimulated by chewing gum to increase saliva flow and decrease xerostomia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chewing gum on dry mouth, interdialytic weight gain, and intradialytic symptoms in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Methods This prospective randomized controlled single‐blind study was conducted with patients who had been treated for at least 6 months with sessions 3 days a week for 4 hours at two HD units. Patients were randomly allocated to chewing gum group or the control group. In the chewing gum group, gum was chewed for 10 minutes six times a day, and when the patients felt mouth dryness or were thirsty. In the nonchewing gum group, gum was not chewed. The patients were followed‐up for 3 months. A total of three saliva samples were taken before starting treatment at the first, 12th, and 36th HD session. Data were collected with the “Visual Analogue Scale (VAS),” “Hemodialysis Patients Fluid Control Scale,” “Dialysis Symptom Index,” and “Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale” at baseline, week 4, week 8, and week 12. Findings The study was completed with a total of 44 patients consisting of 22 patients in the each group. The second and third month VAS values (xerostomia) of the patients in the chewing gum groups were statistically significantly lower than those in the control group (P = 0.014, P < 0.001, respectively). The third month salivary flow rate in the chewing gum group was higher than the values in the control group patients (P < 0.001). Discussion It is anticipated that this study will raise nurses' awareness of dry mouth and encourage future studies on interventions to increase the salivary flow rate to prevent or treat dry mouth.

Background Intensive care is a noisy environment for patients and one that affects pain, anxiety levels, and sleep quality. Aims and objectives To determine the relationship between noise levels and pain, anxiety, and sleep levels in patients in intensive care units. Design A descriptive and observational study design was used. Methods This study was conducted between June and December 2018 in a public hospital and included 111 patients admitted to surgical critical care for at least 24 hours. Three Benetech Gm1351 manual sound level metres were used to measure noise. A Patient Information Form, a pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS), the Spielberger State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, and the Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ) were used for data collection. Results The mean age of the patients was 57.29 years. The mean noise level detected in the intensive care unit was 66.52 dB (dB). Patients' mean pain VAS score was 3.79 ± 1.72, the mean State Anxiety Inventory score was 39.74 ± 2.98, and the mean total RCSQ score was 25.10 ± 13.17. Our findings show that patients in the intensive care unit are exposed to high noise levels and that, while this has no effect on pain, it significantly impacts anxiety and quality of sleep. Conclusions Noise levels in intensive care units significantly exceed recommended thresholds, and this adversely affects patients' anxiety levels and sleep quality. It is important for suitably restful conditions to be provided for patients, to be aware of the potential for anxiety, and for these factors to be borne in mind when planning nursing interventions. Relevance to clinical practice Further studies on the effects of noise levels on pain, anxiety, and sleep levels in patients admitted to intensive care units are needed.

Purpose: This methodological study was aimed to the Turkish adaptation and validation of the “PRE-DELIRIC Score” delirium prediction model in patients hospitalized in the ICU. Method: The study was conducted with patients who were treated in the ICUs of a training and research hospital between October 2019 and April 2020. The data were collected with (1) the Data Collection Form for the Descriptive Characteristics of the Subjects, (2) the PRE-DELIRIC Score, and (3) the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU). The ROC analysis and diagnosis screening tests were used to determine the cut-off point according to the groups. The sensitivity and specificity characteristic of the score were calculated. Significance was evaluated at the p<0.05 level. Results: The study was completed with 172 patients. A statistically significant relationship was found between the cut-off point obtained for the PRE-DELIRIC Score (≥7.58%) and the groups (p= 0.003). The risk of being CAM-ICU positive was 7.404 times higher in patients with a PRE-DELIRIC Score of 7.58 or more (OR:7.404; 95% CI:1.638-33.469). Conclusion: The PRE-DELIRIC Score was evaluated in this study and the PRE-DELIRIC Score was found to be easy to administer with reliable results.

Underfeeding is prevalent in intensive care unit (ICU) patients receiving enteral nutrition (EN). This study aimed to investigate whether ICU patients were fed adequately on the third day of EN. One hundred ten patients who were hospitalized in the 3 mixed ICUs were evaluated for nutrition adequacy. Patient nutritional status was monitored by a nutrition support team. Nutrition provision was found to be adequate in 95.5% (n = 105) and inadequate in 4.5% (n = 5) of patients. A multidisciplinary approach should be employed to ensure that patients receive maximum benefit from EN.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between nurses’ anxiety and depression levels and their compliance with isolation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Background: The global COVID-19 pandemic has had severe psychological impacts on nurses. Methods: Following receipt of the requisite approvals, data were collected actively from 289 nurses consenting to participate in the study through an online questionnaire using theinternet/ social media. Results: Mean stress, anxiety, and depression scores were higher among carers for COVID-19 patients than in non-Covidcarers. Analysis revealed significant positive correlation between Isolation Precautions Compliance Scale scores and stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout. Conclusion: Burnout increased while compliance with isolation precautions decreased in this study as stress, anxiety, and depression increased. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 22 No. 01 January’23 Page : 115-120

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