AJN’s September issue is now available on our Web site. Here’s a selection of what not to miss, including two continuing education (CE) articles, which you can access for free.

It’s no surprise that obesity and overweight are on the rise in this country, and nurses will likely find themselves caring for patients who have undergone bariatric surgery at some point in their career. “Outcomes and Complications after Bariatric Surgery” reviews the five most common procedures, outcomes and complications of surgery, and pre- and postoperative patient care. This CE article is open access and can earn you 2.5 CE credits.

Nearly 40% of all surgeries in the United States are performed on adults ages 65 and older. A common complication of surgery in this population is postoperative delirium, which is associated with extended lengths of stay, higher patient care costs, increased morbidity, and greater risk of death. “Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Patients” evaluates risk factors for postoperative delirium in elderly patients and examines potential intervention strategies. This CE article is open access and can earn you 2.5 CE credits.

Smartphones, e-readers, and tablets are everywhere, including at the bedside. In “Tablet Technology for Nurses,” Megen Duffy provides a guided tour of the potential uses and pitfalls of mobile technology for nurses—plus a comparison of the iPad and Kindle Fire.

Whether to predict, diagnose, or monitor disease, biomarkers are useful in every step of patient care. “Biomarkers: An Important Clinical Assessment Tool” reviews common biomarkers used in diagnosing and treating several health conditions, and the effects of their use on patient outcomes.

And if you like our cover, which features photographs of nurses from the The American Nurse, a book of 75 black-and-white portraits of nurses and accompanying interviews by Carolyn Jones (to be published next month by Welcome Books),  read On the Cover and listen to a podcast with the photographer.

There is plenty more in this issue, so stop by and have a look. Feel free to tell us what you think on Facebook or our blog.

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