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Dorette Welk

Bio

Dorette "Dee" Welk is a nursing consultant in scholarship and education. After a 27-year full-time nurse educator position, for the past 8 years, she has been teaching online courses in graduate research, nurse educator preparation, and a doctoral course in curriculum for the health sciences education. She also teaches community courses in preparation for health care provision for non-nurses considering health careers. She is the Chair of the Regional Chapters Coordinating Committee and Board Member, Sigma Theta Tau International.


Specialties:

  • nursing

Affiliation:

  • Sigma Theta Tau International

Location:

Activity

  • Sharecare News
    Sharecare News posted a story about Nursing:
    Doctors Reluctant to Expand Nurse Practitioners' Role: Survey

    WEDNESDAY, May 15 (HealthDay News) -- The United States has a shortage of primary care doctors, and some policymakers want to fill the gap by expanding the role of nurse practitioners. But the two professions are engaged in a turf war over who can do the job better, a new survey finds.

    Th...Full Article

  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:
    What is disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP)?
    Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is a rare, non-cancerous, non-contagious skin disorder. Disseminated means that it is widely spread, most likely over the front and lower arms and legs -- areas that are typically frequently exposed to sun over a period of time. Superficial...  Full Post
  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:
    How is disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) treated?
    Prevention of further sun exposure is a very important part of treatment for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP). Reducing or eliminating sun exposure can prevent skin changes.

    Other treatments include freezing off the lesions with liquid nitrogen and topical or skin-applied...  Full Post
  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:
    What color are disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis lesions?
    At first, disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) lesions are faint in color. But over time they may become reddish, purplish, pink, or brown. They may also seem to change colors depending on the heat -- they may become red when you are sitting in a hot bath or in the sun. DSAP...  Full Post
  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:
    Does the sun affect disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP)?
    Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is directly related to sun exposure. Different climates affect the lesions. For example, let's say two sisters have DSAP. One sister lives in a cold climate, wears long pants and shirts, and gets little sun exposure. The other sister lives...  Full Post
  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:
    What do DSAP lesions look like after they heal?
    Liquid nitrogen can be used to freeze off lesions. After the treatment, small brown blisters form over lesions. The blisters eventually turn to scabs, which flake off by themselves.

    If the lesion has moved to a pre-cancerous stage, the doctor may have to apply more liquid nitrogen to it;...  Full Post
  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:
    How do I care for blisters after liquid nitrogen treatment for DSAP?
    Liquid nitrogen can be used to freeze off lesions resulting from disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP). After the treatment, small brown blisters form over lesions. The blisters eventually scab and fall off.

    The doctor will give you directions on how to care for the blisters....  Full Post
  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:
    Why should DSAP lesions be monitored?
    Though disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is a non-cancerous skin disorder, DSAP lesions tend to show up after years of sun exposure. Changes in the skin can become precancerous at some point for about 1 in 100 lesions. If these lesions are still exposed to the sun, squamous...  Full Post
  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:
    What should I expect if I have liquid nitrogen treatment for DSAP?
    Liquid nitrogen can be used to freeze off lesions resulting from disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP). When DSAP is first diagnosed, a person with the disorder may have 30-40 lesions that are treated with liquid nitrogen several times. 

    During this procedure, the doctor...  Full Post
  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:
    Who is likely to get disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP)?
    Disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) is an inherited skin condition that may occur in 50% of children who are born to an affected parent. When one child of a parent with DSAP inherits the condition, it's a good idea to tell any brothers and sisters to also check their skin....  Full Post
  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk of Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered:
    How should I protect myself from the sun if I have DSAP?
    Prevention of further sun exposure is a very important part of treatment for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP). Reducing or eliminating sun exposure can prevent skin changes. If you have DSAP:
    • Avoid tanning beds.
    • Wear a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF that protects against
    ...  Full Post
  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk answered:
    What do DSAP lesions look like after they heal?
    Liquid nitrogen can be used to freeze off lesions. After the treatment, small brown blisters form over lesions. The blisters eventually turn to scabs, which flake off by themselves.

    If the lesion has moved to a pre-cancerous stage, the doctor may have to apply more liquid nitrogen to it;...  Full Post
  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk answered:
    What should I expect if I have liquid nitrogen treatment for DSAP?
    Liquid nitrogen can be used to freeze off lesions resulting from disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP). When DSAP is first diagnosed, a person with the disorder may have 30-40 lesions that are treated with liquid nitrogen several times. 

    During this procedure, the doctor...  Full Post
  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk answered:
    How should I protect myself from the sun if I have DSAP?
    Prevention of further sun exposure is a very important part of treatment for disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP). Reducing or eliminating sun exposure can prevent skin changes. If you have DSAP:
    • Avoid tanning beds.
    • Wear a sunscreen of at least 30 SPF that protects against
    ...  Full Post
  • Dorette Welk
    Dorette Welk answered:
    How do I care for blisters after liquid nitrogen treatment for DSAP?
    Liquid nitrogen can be used to freeze off lesions resulting from disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP). After the treatment, small brown blisters form over lesions. The blisters eventually scab and fall off.

    The doctor will give you directions on how to care for the blisters....  Full Post