Background Pulmonary disorders and poor functional capacity are common complications in patients under hemodialysis. Although breathing exercise is frequently prescribed to improve respiratory function, its efficacy in this patient community is not well established. Purpose Our study was designed to determine the effectiveness of a breathing exercise on respiratory function and 6-minute walk (6MW) distance in patients under hemodialysis. Methods A randomized controlled trial approach was used. The sample consisted of 52 patients under hemodialysis from a university teaching hospital in Iran. The experimental group (n = 26) received the breathing exercise program and was encouraged to perform incentive spirometry for 2 months. The control group (n = 26) received only routine hospital care. The respiratory function test and 6MW test were performed at baseline and at 2 months after the intervention (posttest). Results The two groups were homogeneous in terms of respiratory function parameters, 6MW distance, and demographic characteristics at baseline. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity were significantly better in the experimental group compared with the control group at 2 months after intervention. No significant difference was found in 6MW distance between the groups at the 2-month posttest. Conclusions/Implications for Practice The 2-month breathing exercise effectively improved pulmonary function parameters (forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second) in patients under hemodialysis but did not affect 6MW distance. Hemodialysis nurses should strengthen their clinical health education and apply breathing exercise programs to reduce the pulmonary complications experienced by patients under hemodialysis.

Background Organizational politics (OP) exists to varying degrees in all organizations. OP plays an important role in creating synergy between employees and the goals of the organization. Purpose We aimed to investigate the relationship between positive perceptions toward OP and work-related outcomes in nurses, including stress level, burnout level, turnover intention, and job satisfaction. Methods This descriptive, analytical study was conducted from April to June 2018 on nurses at Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences Hospitals in Neyshabur, northeastern Iran. The study included 280 nurses working in two teaching hospitals. Five standardized tools were used, including the Perception of Organizational Politics Scale, the Nursing Stress Scale, the Burnout Measure Scale, the Turnover Intention Inventory Scale, and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire. Results The results indicate that the participants did not hold positive perceptions toward OP. The mean Perception of Organizational Politics Scale score was 2.63 ± 0.55. Multiple linear regression analyses showed a significant and positive relationship between positive perception toward OP and job satisfaction and a negative relationship between positive perception toward OP and turnover intention, burnout, and job stress. Conclusions Nurses who perceive the work environment to be political will experience greater levels of stress, turnover intention, and burnout and lower levels of job satisfaction. Politics is an issue that should be handled by all levels of management. Managers should use supportive, nonpolitical workplace strategies to improve the work-related outcomes of employees.

Objectives: Iran is facing a big challenge controlling the COVID-19 outbreak and it is unclear to how individuals are engaging in preventive behaviors. This study aimed to investigate changes in preventive behaviors during the first three months of the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran. Method: This cross-sectional survey was conducted on 1477 adults aged 18years and older in 31 provinces of Iran. Data was collected by an anonymous online questionnaire. Result: Overall, engagement in preventive behaviors was relatively acceptable and more than 45% of subjects always carried out all preventive behaviors. Engaging in the all preventive behaviors had a peak in the second month and obviously declined during third month. Engagement in some preventive behaviors such as “wearing a face mask” and “keeping a safe distance from others” observed less than other behaviors. There was statistically significant difference in the engagement in preventive behaviors by gender and occupation (P<0.001). Conclusion: Although engagement in preventive behaviors was relatively acceptable at first two months of the outbreak, it has declined gradually. This is a warning for public health decision makers. COVID-19 is still a crucial issue in Iran and it is necessary that government decision be based on the fact that Iranian people must live with a coronavirus for months, with full caution and compliance toward all preventive care protocols.

Many families in Iran fail to adapt to their new role of being a stroke caregiver and experience high levels of distress; thus, they may need some form of support. The present study aimed to develop a discharge planning program for the family caregivers of stroke patients in Iran. We also determined the program efficacy on their level of stress and preparedness for caregiving. Methods: A post-test only randomized controlled trial design was conducted on 60 family caregivers of stroke survivors. The study participants (n=30) in the experimental group received a family caregiver-oriented discharge planning program consisting of 3 phases; assessing families' educational needs, educating families, and follow-up calls. The routine hospital care was provided to the controls (n=30). The data were collected using Kingston Caregiver Stress Scale and the Preparedness for Caregiving scale. Data were analyzed by SPSS. Results: The level of preparedness for caregiving was significantly higher in the experimental group. The experimental group experienced lower levels of stress, compared to the control group members (P<0.001). Discussion: To enhance family preparedness for caregiving and decrease their stress, it is necessary to use a discharge planning program with an emphasis on individualized education and post-discharge follow-up. This program could be implemented in Iranian hospitals at a low cost. The findings of this study may provide a reference for specialist nurses who cope with stroke caregivers in Iran.