Introduction: Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and control one´s own emotions as well as emotions of other people. There are two orientations in studying emotional intelligence. They differ in whether they relate abilities and personal characteristic features or not. Emotional intelligence usage is currently being understood as a fundamental requirement of nursing in care provision to patients. Methods:In a research conducted with a group of nursing students (n = 86), we were examining emotional intelligence as an ability and as a feature. We used SIT-EMO (Situational Test of Emotional Understanding) scales in order to fi nd out emotional intelligence as an ability, and SEIS (Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale), measuring emotional intelligence as a feature. In the context of nursing, we were fi nding out emotional self-effi cacy in relation to geriatric patients (ESE-GP). TEIQue-SF (Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire -short form) method was used to set up our own questionnaire. Results:We were fi nding out the extent of emotional intelligence and we were analyzing it from the viewpoint of its grasping as a feature, ability and emotional self-effi cacy in relation to geriatric patients. We found out lower levels in social awareness, emotional management and stress management dimensions of the nursing students. Conclusion:Emotional intelligence as an ability of the nursing students can be enhanced through psychological and social trainings. Emotional intelligence has an impact on social and communication skills, which are a precondition of effective nursing care.

Aim: Th e aim of the study was to identify statistically signifi cant diff erences in levels of emotional intelligence (EI) of nursing students in relation with demographic data (age and year of study) and also determine whether the EI level of nursing students aff ects their interest in the issue of geriatric nursing. Methods: Th e sample consisted of 86 full-time undergraduate university students of nursing. To measure the level of EI, questionnaires representing diff erent understanding of EI were used. EI as an ability was determined by the SIT-EMO (Situational Test of Emotional Understanding). EI as a trait was evaluated by the questionnaire SEIS (Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale). Th e questionnaire of own construction ESE-GP (Emotional self-effi cacygeriatric patient) assessed the level of EI of students in the process of caring for geriatric patients. Results: Th ere were no statistically signifi cant diff erences in the students' level of EI in terms of demographic data (age and year of study). A statistically signifi cant association (p < 0.05) was found between the students' level of EI (SEIS) and their promising interest to pursue geriatric nursing. Conclusion: Th e results can be applied in particular institutions providing nursing education, which can focus attention on the development of EI in the process of education of nursing students.

Introduction: The integral part of the treatment of pediatric oncological patients is a range of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. These procedures are often associated with the fear and anxiety of the suffering child. We investigated whether a psychological preparation through drama therapy and the therapeutic puppet may reduce the anxiety related to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the preschool or early school children suffering from cancer.Methods: Twenty consecutive pediatric patients of preschool and early school age, with the diagnosis of lymphoblastic leukemia, were included in the study. The patients were alternatingly assigned to experimental or control group, and subjected or not subjected to drama therapy, respectively. We measured the changes in heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate as indicators of anxiety and fear, before and after the diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.Results: Heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate in pediatric oncological patients before and after the diagnostic or therapeutic procedure were significantly lower in the experimental group of patients.Conclusion: Our results show that psychological preparation using drama therapy and therapeutic puppet reduced the fear and anxiety related to diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in pediatric oncological patients.Key words: drama therapy; therapeutic puppet; children; oncology; psychology

Introduction: The quality of life is perceived individually and subjectively� The quality of life of elderly people in nursing home nursing homes depends on the degree to which their needs are fulfilled� The need to adapt to a new environment in an older age is a risky situation and may result in depression� The aim of the study was to analyze the change of quality of life and level of depression, as well as possible association of quality of life and level of depression, in elderly people admitted for the first time to nursing home�

Original research article Identifikácia rizikových faktorov pádov u geriatrických pacientov v sledovanom období vIntroduction: Falls represent a frequent, serious, and financial problem for society as well as for the individual. They are one of the main causes of death, injury and functional limitation of seniors. Every fall of a person over the age of 65 should be an alarming signal and an impulse for the analysis of risk factors and taking preventive measures. Aim: The aim of this study was to retrospectively identify and analyze the risk factors of falls in geriatric patients at chosen clinical departments at the University Hospital in Trnava, Slovak Republic, over the period of 2010-2014. Design: The work is designed as a descriptive retrospective study. Methods: Relevant data on respondents, circumstances and factors of falls have been obtained by a content analysis from the document: "Patient Fall Protocol". In the study, we analyzed 125 protocols that were recorded between 2010 and 2014. The patient's protocol is a part of the MEDEA hospital information system. We used the Pearson Chi-quadrate and a single-chiral Chi-quadrate for data processing and evaluation. Results: Based on the acquired results, we can say that in the case of restless patients, there are several types of falls from bed -when getting up, moving, or resting on an unstable surface (Sig. <0.004). The results of the study show that tripping, slipping and walking instability is higher in women (Sig. <0.043) than in men. Patients' psychological condition affects their ability to cooperate (Sig. <0.001), and the ability to cooperate is influenced by the type of pharmacotherapy (Sig. <0.034). We found differences in the mobility (Sig. <0.044) and self-sufficiency (Sig. <0.041) of patients of different age groups. Most falls occurred between 10 p.m. and 6 p.m. Conclusion: Fall prevention is one of the six international safety targets identified by the World Health Organization. Fall risk identification in geriatric patients is therefore very important and can help to implement preventive programs which can help to reduce the cost of treatment associated with the consequences of falls. O š e t ř O v a t e l s t v íČlánek citujte takto: Uríčková A, Schildová D, Ilievová Ľ. Fall-risk identification of geriatric patients in