Medscape's Ask the Experts series allows readers to seek advice or information from a panel of leading experts via the "Submit A Question" link in each article.

• Can Hospitals Force Patients to Remain in Isolation? Do hospitals have any recourse when patients with multidrug-resistant organisms leave their isolation rooms?
  Legal and Professional Issues for Nurses, February 2012
• When Will We Have Interferon-Free Treatment for Hepatitis C? A reader asks how close we are to offering more effective and better tolerated regimens to patients with hepatitis C virus.
  Ask the Experts, February 2012
• Pearls: Managing Chronic Pain in the ED What's the best way to manage the patient presenting to the ED with acute pain?
  Ask the Experts, January 2012
• Are Electronic Cigarettes Safe? Is this alternative to cigarette smoking safe and effective?
  Ask the Experts, January 2012
• How Is Drug-Refractory Gastroparesis Treated? Treatment options exist for this increasingly common complaint.
  Ask the Experts, January 2012
• Is Metformin Effective for Type 1 Diabetes? Is off-label use of metformin an option for certain patients with type 1 diabetes?
  Ask the Experts, January 2012
• Is it Legal to Take and Display Photographs of Staff Nurses? A Medscape reader questions the practice of taking staff photos and displaying them on the unit.
  Legal and Professional Issues for Nurses, January 2012
• What Measures Prevent Travel-Associated Thrombosis? Does aspirin reduce the risk of deep vein thrombosis associated with long airplane flights?
  Ask the Experts, December 2011
• How Should I Approach Elevated Liver Enzymes? A step-wise approach to the patient with elevated liver function tests is recommended by Dr. William Balistreri.
  Ask the Experts, December 2011
• What Are the Consequences of Violating Medication Policies? A reader asks nurse attorney Carolyn Buppert about failing to follow hospital policy on medication administration.
  Legal and Professional Issues for Nurses, December 2011
• What Constitutes a Hostile Work Environment? When supervisors go too far, do employees have any legal recourse?
  Legal and Professional Issues for Nurses, December 2011
• Protocols vs Individual Care: What's Best for VLBW Infants? A reader questions the wisdom of caring for the smallest of patients with protocols and algorithms, rather than taking an individualized approach.
  Ask the Experts, December 2011
• Can Iron Worsen Infection? Does iron supplementation help or hinder infection management?
  Ask the Experts, December 2011
• Antirheumatic Drugs and Pregnancy: A Primer Dr. Robert Fox reviews the safety of antirheumatic drugs in pregnant patients or in those wishing to conceive.
  Ask the Experts, December 2011
• Vitamin D: Frequently Asked Questions Dr. Hulisz answers readers' questions about vitamin D.
  Ask the Experts, December 2011
• How Should I Evaluate Weight Loss in the Elderly? Involuntary weight loss in the elderly could signal a serious illness.
  Ask the Experts, December 2011
• Antiemetics and Pain Meds: Are They Inseparable? Is it always necessary to administer antiemetics with intravenous opioids while treating acute pain in the emergency department?
  Ask the Experts, December 2011
• Can Zinc Treat the Common Cold? What can we tell patients about use of zinc for treatment and prevention of the common cold?
  Ask the Experts, November 2011
• Does Chronic Use of Stimulant Laxatives Harm the Bowel? A reader asks about the consequences of chronic stimulant laxative use for constipation.
  Ask the Experts, November 2011
• Are Colonics Safe? Does research support the use of this ancient practice?
  Ask the Experts, November 2011

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