A modified version of the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment Scale (CIWA) was used in the management of alcohol withdrawal in a general hospital. Patients who developed seizures or confusion were noted to score higher on the scale, even before these complications, than patients who remained uncomplicated (21.7 +/- 1.2 compared to 15.6 +/- 0.55). When the score was used as a guide for treatment, it was found that patients scoring greater than 15 were at significantly increased risk of severe alcohol withdrawal if they remained untreated (RR, 3.72; 95% confidence interval, 2.85-4.85). The higher the score the greater this relative risk. Some patients however, still suffered complicated withdrawals although their scores were low or they were apparently adequately treated. It is concluded that the use of an objective clinical scale of alcohol withdrawal is valuable in a general hospital to identify those patients in early withdrawal who need sedation to avoid complication. There will however, be a small group of patients whose clinical course will be difficult to predict and further work is needed to determine the reasons for this.

THIS PAPER REPORTS ON the findings of a study into the perceived everyday science practices occurring within an early childhood centre in a southern part of Australia. In drawing upon cultural-historical theory, the study maps the possibilities for everyday science learning through photographic documentation (n = 223) and through undertaking a science walk with an early childhood teacher in order to establish how the environment was perceived for creating opportunities for science learning (planned or otherwise). The results foreground: science within the constant traditional areas within the preschool, building science infrastructure into the centre, and using science in everyday life in the centre. The findings show the importance of a sciencing attitude on the part of the teacher for affording meaningful science learning for preschool children.

No abstract

No abstract