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A New Measure Of Parental Self-Efficacy For Enacting Healthy Lifestyles In Their Children, Jonathan W. Decker Jan 2010

A New Measure Of Parental Self-Efficacy For Enacting Healthy Lifestyles In Their Children, Jonathan W. Decker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The issue of childhood obesity has become a pandemic of increasing prevalence and concern. Many behaviors contributing to overweight and obesity, such as dietary intake and physical activity, are learned in childhood. It is known that parents are key agents for change in their children. Therefore, interventions aimed at decreasing childhood overweight and obesity should be targeted at parents. Many parents state that they know the healthy dietary and physical activity behaviors they should adopt for their children, but lack the confidence, or self-efficacy, to enact these behaviors. A review of the literature for self-efficacy for behaviors in these domains …


Retrospective Analysis Of Screening Patterns In Cirrhotic Patients With Heptocellular Carcinoma, Shelly-Ann Scott-Castell Jan 2010

Retrospective Analysis Of Screening Patterns In Cirrhotic Patients With Heptocellular Carcinoma, Shelly-Ann Scott-Castell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients is increasing worldwide. Cirrhotic patients are recommended by the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) to receive HCC screening and surveillance every 6 months to a year. The purpose of this study was to identify the current screening and surveillance patterns for cirrhotic patients with HCC in clinical practice. Hepatocellular carcinoma can be detected by radiological studies in addition to laboratory testing. It is important to implement the AASLD screening guidelines, as early identification might decrease the mortality rate of patients with cirrhosis and HCC. The research question …


A Phenomenological Description Of The Lived Experience Of Creating Art For Women With Breast Cancer, Laurie Stark Jan 2010

A Phenomenological Description Of The Lived Experience Of Creating Art For Women With Breast Cancer, Laurie Stark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Conventional approaches to cancer treatment typically do not address the personal experiences of the women with breast cancer. The aim of this study was to develop a structural description of the lived experience of women with breast cancer who create art, specifically through painting, sketching or drawing. A phenomenological approach was employed to explore the meaning of creating art for four women with a diagnosis of breast cancer. The philosophical underpinnings for this study were based on the phenomenological method of bracketing which allows the researcher and subjects to focus on lived experience. This qualitative methodology provided a means to …


The Experiences Of Health Care Providers Providing Comfort For Nursing Home Patients At The End Of Life, Herma Baker Jan 2010

The Experiences Of Health Care Providers Providing Comfort For Nursing Home Patients At The End Of Life, Herma Baker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research shows that healthcare providers (HCPs) are not adequately prepared to provide comfort care for patients who are at the end of life. Since the 1990s, numerous legislative, research, and clinical initiatives have addressed concerns about improving care at the end of life. The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of HCPs providing comfort for patients in the nursing home who are at the end of life. This study focused on physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses and nurses' aides at a central Florida nursing home. A descriptive qualitative design was done utilizing a focus group discussion, individual interviews, …


Comparison Of Arnp And Physician Malpractice In States With And Without Controlled Substance Prescribing Authority, Deborah Chandler Jan 2010

Comparison Of Arnp And Physician Malpractice In States With And Without Controlled Substance Prescribing Authority, Deborah Chandler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Florida is one of two states that do not allow ARNPs to prescribe controlled substances. The Florida Legislature has expressed concern regarding the safety of ARNPs prescribing controlled substances. The purpose of this study was to compare malpractice rates of ARNPs and physicians in states with and without controlled substance prescribing. The design was a direct comparison of malpractice rates in states with and without ARNP controlled substance prescriptive authority. Comparison of malpractice claims was made between physicians (MDs and DOs collectively) and ARNPs in the United States and by state ARNP prescribing authority. Comparison of malpractice claims was also …


Effectiveness Of Probiotics In Preventing Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea And Clostridium Difficile In Long Term Care, Marva Edwards-Marshall Jan 2010

Effectiveness Of Probiotics In Preventing Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea And Clostridium Difficile In Long Term Care, Marva Edwards-Marshall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Problem/Purpose: Antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD) and clostridium-difficile diarrhea (CDAD) are the most common forms of infectious diarrhea in long-term care facilities. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of probiotics in preventing AAD and CDAD in the long term care geriatric population, and to identify interventions that can be used to improve clinical practice. Background/Significance: Prophylactic use of probiotics have been purported to decrease the incidences of AAD and CDAD. Previous studies have yielded contradictory results on the efficacy of probiotics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of administration of probiotics on the …


The Impact Of Pre-Operative Mupirocin Prophylaxis On Surgical Site Infections In Same-Day Admission Open Heart Patients, Joanna Gerry Jan 2010

The Impact Of Pre-Operative Mupirocin Prophylaxis On Surgical Site Infections In Same-Day Admission Open Heart Patients, Joanna Gerry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The CDC estimates that one in 20 patients admitted to the hospital is a carrier of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Staphylococci are commonly found on the skin and mucous membranes within the anterior nares, which provides the principle reservoir for this organism. These organisms can go on to cause surgical site infections in hospitalized patients. Mupirocin is an effective topical medication used to eliminate nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Based on Level A evidence, the 2007 Society of Thoracic Surgeons has made a Class I recommendation for the use of mupirocin for all patients undergoing cardiac surgery in …


The Incidence And Epidemiologic Factors Of Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Skin And Soft Tissue I, Ivonne Johnson Jan 2010

The Incidence And Epidemiologic Factors Of Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Skin And Soft Tissue I, Ivonne Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a serious public health problem nationwide, threatening to develop into an epidemic. Many of these patients are presenting to their primary care clinics with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). The CDC has reported that in 2005, MRSA was responsible for an estimated 94,000 life-threatening infections and 16,650 deaths. The purpose of this study is to estimate the incidence of CA-MRSA within a specific family practice in Florida and to identify epidemiologic factors, classify antibiotic susceptibility patterns, and evaluate patient education in regard to disease management and prevention. This study was a descriptive, epidemiologic, three-year …


Advanced Practice Nursing In The Faith Community Setting: A Case Study, Chianta Lindsey Jan 2010

Advanced Practice Nursing In The Faith Community Setting: A Case Study, Chianta Lindsey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study is to demonstrate the effectiveness of an Advanced Practice Nurse in providing spiritual and nursing care within a faith community setting. The study will describe the process of developing a Parish Nurse program using a Nurse Practitioner to offer wholistic health care to parishioners. It will also illustrate the collaborative process of developing a free health center within a faith based organization, using the Nurse Practitioner to manage the health center and deliver health care services. In order to demonstrate the need for parish nurse care, the case study used an anonymous survey to …


Assessing Adult Attitudes Toward End-Of-Life Issues And Advanced Directives After Implementing An Educational Intervention In A, Marchina Tolbert-Jones Jan 2010

Assessing Adult Attitudes Toward End-Of-Life Issues And Advanced Directives After Implementing An Educational Intervention In A, Marchina Tolbert-Jones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: There is a lack of discussion regarding end-of-life care planning which results in low advanced directive execution (AD) rates. This can lead to decision making by family, friends, and the health care team on behalf of patients whose end-of-life care wishes are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an educational intervention in the work setting to increase end-of-life discussions and the execution of advanced directives. Methods: A descriptive design was used in an occupational workplace setting at a local bottling company after appropriate IRB approval was obtained. An educational intervention based on the …


Prevalence Of And Risk Factors For Intraoperative Non-Euglycemia Events In Premature Neonates >2500 Grams, Zulay Ritrosky Jan 2010

Prevalence Of And Risk Factors For Intraoperative Non-Euglycemia Events In Premature Neonates >2500 Grams, Zulay Ritrosky

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the rates and risks of premature neonates >2500grams developing intraoperative non-euglycemia events (IONEE). A retrospective chart review of 26 premature neonates >2500 grams who underwent surgical procedures between January 1 and December 31, 2009 was conducted. Statistical analysis was done using Chi square and t-tests. Ten of the 26 subjects (38%) experienced an IONEE. Hyperglycemia was the primary IONEE that was noted in the neonates. (Mean: 143.19; sd: 56.041) Length of surgery was significantly longer in those premature neonates with IONEE than those with euglycemia (71.7 0± 27.03 vs. 45.62 ± 17.98 minutes). All IONEE subjects received …


The Effect Of Combat Exercises On Cardiovascular Response: An Exploratory Study, Melisa Gantt Jan 2010

The Effect Of Combat Exercises On Cardiovascular Response: An Exploratory Study, Melisa Gantt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: Hypertension (HTN) affects one in every three adults in the United States. Often associated with the older population, this silent killer has emerged in an unsuspecting group, young military soldiers. With the rapid succession of multiple deployments, long intervals between blood pressure (BP) assessments, and the absence of cardiovascular (CV) measures during the pre and post deployment health screenings; soldiers may be at higher risk for HTN than their civilian counterparts of the same age. The purpose of this study was to explore real-time continuous CV measures of soldiers before, during, and after exposure to a simulated combat stressor …


Recommendation For The Prevention Of Nursing Burnout, Lindsey N. Kimmerling Jan 2010

Recommendation For The Prevention Of Nursing Burnout, Lindsey N. Kimmerling

HIM 1990-2015

Burnout is a bio-psychosocial response related to chronic stress in the work environment (Hertel, 2009). In nursing, burnout can affect the work environment, coworker relationships, and patient care. It can lead to patient dissatisfaction, nurse dissatisfaction and even patient harm. With the nursing shortage predicted to increase to over 1,000,000 by the year 2012, it is of vital importance that methods to reduce and prevent burnout be researched and implemented in order to retain nurses and ensure the delivery of safe and effective care. The purpose of this literature review was to determine what knowledge base already existed about the …


Evaluation Of A Simulation-Enhanced Obstetric Clinical Experience On Learning Outcomes For Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, And Transfer, Mary Elizabeth Guimond Jan 2010

Evaluation Of A Simulation-Enhanced Obstetric Clinical Experience On Learning Outcomes For Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, And Transfer, Mary Elizabeth Guimond

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Simulation using computerized patient mannequins may be a useful mechanism to teach safe and effective nursing care, thus improving the quality of education for nurses. As nursing program enrollments grow, clinical placement is becoming more difficult and may not offer consistent learning opportunities that reinforce safe and effective nursing practice. This study applied Ford, Smith, Weissbein, Gully, and Salas’ (1998) model of learning transfer as the theoretical framework to design a simulated obstetric clinical learning experience to augment the current clinical practice model, an approach that may lead to an improved educational experience. The purpose of this study was to …


The Impact Of An Interdependent Conferencing Activity In An Online Rn-Bsn Practicum Clinical Conference On Psychologocial Sense Of Community, Barbara Lange Jan 2010

The Impact Of An Interdependent Conferencing Activity In An Online Rn-Bsn Practicum Clinical Conference On Psychologocial Sense Of Community, Barbara Lange

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

RN-BSN students enrolled in a clinical course often have limited or no interaction with other students within the course due to geographic distance and individual preceptor assignments. Learning is often restricted to a student and his/her preceptor and instructor. Geographic and physical distance factors inhibit a student's perception of connectedness and learning. Interdependent interaction between peers, the instructor, and the professional community may increase student achievements and enhance a sense of connectedness. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of an Interdependent Conferencing Activity (ICA) in an online clinical conference on RN-BSN students' Psychological Sense of Community …