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Relationship Between Cancer-Related Fatigue And Depression: A Pilot Study, Gloria Michelle Guess

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fatigue is one of the most bothersome symptoms reported by patients diagnosed with cancer, and research indicates that the majority of patients receiving chemotherapy report symptoms of fatigue. Fatigue can have an effect on quality of life; therefore, it is essential that healthcare providers gain a better understanding and recognition of fatigue.

Fatigue can also be a symptom of depression. Depression is another prominent symptom reported by patients diagnosed with cancer. Unfortunately, there are similarities between the symptoms of depression and fatigue making it difficult for health care providers to distinguish between the two. This study utilizes the subscale of …

Evaluation Of Oncology Nurses' Knowledge, Practice Behaviors, And Confidence Specific To Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, Rebecca Denise Mcallister

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) remains one of the most serious and challenging symptoms oncology nurses encounter in caring for patients receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy. CIPN is under-addressed, under-reported, and symptoms are minimized by healthcare providers, which adversely affect patient quality of life, physical function, and emotional well-being. There is an absence of research examining nurses’ knowledge and practice behaviors related to CIPN. The purpose of this study was to explore oncology nurses knowledge, practice behaviors, confidence, and the relationship between education, experience, and knowledge specific to CIPN.

Data was collected at Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chapter meetings throughout central and …

Moderating The Effectiveness Of Messages To Promote Physical Activity In Type 2 Diabetes, Rachel E. Myers

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The world is experiencing a rapid rise in chronic health problems, which places an enormous burden on health care services. Modifiable health behaviors such as physical inactivity are largely responsible for this high prevalence and incidence of chronic diseases. Message tailoring is a well-established approach for constructing health communication and has been shown to increase the persuasiveness of messages in the promotion of healthy behaviors. Message framing is an effective strategy that has been well-studied in psychology over the past 20-plus years across a breadth of health-related behaviors but has received little attention in the nursing research literature. Based on …

The Correlation Between Neuropathy Limitations And Depression In Chemotherapy Patients, Melissa Thebeau

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the association between neuropathy limitations and depression in chemotherapy patients currently on treatment with a taxane-based, platinum-based or plant alkaloid chemotherapy drug.

The Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale (ONLS) and the Beck Depression Inventory-Short Form (BDI-SF) were used to assess neuropathy limitations and depression in 24 chemotherapy patients with reported symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. Average age of patients was 65 years, 66.6% were female, and average number of chemotherapy cycles completed was 5.6. Of the 24 patients, 37.5% of patients were on a single agent taxane-based drug, 37.5% of patients were on a taxane-based drug with a platinum …

Evaluating Knowledge And Attitudes Of Undergraduate Nursing Students Regarding Pain Management, Jessica Latchman

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Unmanaged pain is a widespread problem that many cancer patients face on a daily basis. Cancer pain, which can either be caused by complications due to the disease process itself or from treatment measures used, has devastating effects on the quality of life for these patients and their caregivers. This study examined the knowledge and attitudes of undergraduate students regarding pain management.

The sample in this study consisted of 41 undergraduate students at the University of South Florida College of Nursing. The students sampled were predominantly white, (n=30), female (n=37), seniors (n=41) taking Leadership and Management in Nursing. After volunteering …

Development And Psychometric Evaluation Of The Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool, Cindy S. Tofthagen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of several chemotherapy drugs used for the treatment of many common malignancies. CIPN is both under-assessed and underreported and few self-report tools exist that measure CIPN. Existing instruments do not evaluate all of the multi-dimensional characteristics of neuropathic symptoms; intensity, distress, timing, and characteristics. The purpose of this descriptive, cross-sectional study was to develop and psychometrically evaluate a new self - report tool for CIPN, the Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool (CIPNAT). Interviews with 15 patients with known CIPN guided development of the CIPNAT.

The CIPNAT is a 69 …

The Effectiveness And User Perception Of 3-Dimensional Digital Human Anatomy In An Online Undergraduate Anatomy Laboratory, Amy Joanne Hilbelink

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of implementing desktop 3-dimensional (3D) stereo images of human anatomy into an undergraduate human anatomy distance laboratory. User perceptions of 2D and 3D images were gathered via questionnaire in order to determine ease of use and level of satisfaction associated with the 3D software in the online learning environment. Mayer's (2001, p. 184) principles of design were used to develop the study materials that consisted of PowerPoint presentations and AVI files accessed via Blackboard. The research design employed a mixed-methods approach. Volunteers each were administered a demographic survey and …

Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners' Judgments Of Coronary Heart Disease Risk, Kelly D. Stamp

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the single largest killer of American males and females in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, (2005) approximately 41% of Americans that experience a coronary attack in a given year will die from it (AHA, 2005). To combat this growing problem, strategies need to be evaluated to assess how the identification of actual and potential CHD risks are made. This study utilized the Social Judgment Theory to gain insight into nurse practitioner's decision-making strategies. Sixty family or adult specialty nurse practitioners affiliated with the University of South Florida (USF) College of Nursing …

The Relationship Between Anxiety And Spirituality In Persons Undergoing Chemotherapy For Cancer, Cindy Tofthagen

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety is a common problem for cancer patients, especially those who must receive chemotherapy. Anxiety may have a negative effect on quality of life, interrupting sleep, causing uncomfortable physical symptoms, and inhibiting sound decision-making. This study examined the relationship between spiritual well-being and anxiety in patients on chemotherapy for cancer. The convenience sample consisted of 30 patients, 15 male and 15 female, receiving chemotherapy in a two physician private medical oncology practice in Southwest Florida. Patients completed the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well- Being Scale.

Participants ranged in age from 31 to 88, …

Development Of An Instrumented Mannequin For Training Of Caregivers In Safe Patient Handling And Movement, Oneida Dugarte Westhoff

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A common problem associated with patient handling is the risk of bodily injury due to acute or cumulative trauma. The objective of this research was to develop an integrated solution, using commercially available components, to help health care providers handle patients in a safe manner. The objective was achieved by retrofitting a mannequin with flex sensors, electrogoniometers, pressure sensors, and photocells. The sensors were capable of quantifying angular displacement, skin pressure distribution and undignified exposure. All of these variables were monitored by a computer-based data acquisition system. The design of this integrated system was implemented using National Instruments LabView software, …