Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Late-Life Body Mass Index And Dementia: An Integrative Literature Review, Sarah Slade, Patricia K. Ravert

Faculty Publications

Dementia and obesity are significant public health concerns. Alzheimer's disease affects 5.3 million adults, while 72.5 million adults are obese. Emerging evidence linking body mass index (BMI) and dementia suggest that, although a high BMI in midlife is associated with a greater risk for dementia, a high BMI in late life is considered protective and should not necessarily be considered a risk factor for dementia. Beginning in midlife, practitioners should trend patient BMI numbers. Major fluctuations during this time should be monitored and nutritional counseling and cognitive screenings offered to help patients maintain a healthy BMI and detect early cognitive …

Cost-Effective Asthma Treatments For Uninsured Or Underinsured Pediatric Patients, Karlen E. (Beth) Luthy, Emilianne Dougall, Renea L. Beckstrand

Faculty Publications

Nurse practitioners should constantly compare a medication's potential effect with its associated cost, thus identifying the most cost-effective treatment plan. Such an approach is warranted for both pediatric and adult patients. Prescribing medications for children who are uninsured or underinsured can be especially challenging, particularly for those patients diagnosed with a chronic health condition requiring routine treatment and follow-up. Asthma can be such a chronic illness for which the cost associated with treatment may become a barrier to compliance with the treatment plan. Cost-effective treatment options for asthma in the pediatric patient are presented.

Situated Peer Coaching And Unfolding Cases In The Fundamentals Skills Laboratory, Deborah O. Himes, Patricia K. Ravert

Faculty Publications

Using unfolding case studies and situated peer coaching for the Fundamentals Skills Laboratory provides students with individualized feedback and creates a realistic clinical learning experience. A quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-intervention data was used to evaluate changes in student ratings of the course. An instrument was used to examine students' self-ratings and student comments about each lab. We found that students' ratings of the lab remained high with the new method and self-evaluations of their performance were higher as the semester progressed. Students appreciated the personalized feedback associated with peer coaching and demonstrated strong motivation and self-regulation in learning. …

Situated Peer Coaching And Unfolding Cases In The Fundamentals Skills Laboratory, Deborah O. Himes, Patricia K. Ravert

Faculty Publications

Using unfolding case studies and situated peer coaching for the Fundamentals Skills Laboratory provides students with individualized feedback and creates a realistic clinical learning experience. A quasi-experimental design with pre- and post-intervention data was used to evaluate changes in student ratings of the course. An instrument was used to examine students' self-ratings and student comments about each lab. We found that students' ratings of the lab remained high with the new method and self-evaluations of their performance were higher as the semester progressed. Students appreciated the personalized feedback associated with peer coaching and demonstrated strong motivation and self-regulation in learning. …

Oncology Nurses' Obstacles And Supportive Behaviors In End-Of-Life Care: Providing Vital Family Care, Renea L. Beckstrand, Joan Collette, Lynn Callister, Karlen E. (Beth) Luthy

Faculty Publications

Purpose/Objectives: To determine the impact of obstacles and supportive behaviors in end-of-life (EOL) care as perceived by hospital-based oncology nurses.

Design: A 69-item mailed survey.

Setting: National random sample.

Sample: 1,005 nurse members of the Oncology Nursing Society who had provided EOL care for patients with cancer.

Methods: Three mailings yielded 380 usable responses from 912 eligible respondents, resulting in a 42% return rate.

Main Research Variables: Size and frequency of EOL care obstacles and supportive behaviors for patients with cancer in a hospital setting.

Findings: Results of this research demonstrate the need for more EOL education and help in …

Effect Of Serum Vitamin D Levels On Cardiovascular Mortality And Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Aaron S. Bennion, Karlen E. Luthy, Donna S. Freeborn, Renea L. Beckstrand

Student Works

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent across all geographic areas, age groups, and seasons and is increasing in incidence. Vitamin D receptors have been found to be present in almost every body cell and tissue. Clinical research has alluded to a preventive effect of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular disorders such as myocardial infarction, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, a low serum vitamin D level has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. This paper examines the association between serum vitamin D levels and cardiovascular disease mortality and risk.

Relationship Of Demographic Characteristics And Bmi With Health Literacy In Pacific Islander Care-Giving Adults, Sharla E. Morgan

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Health literacy and obesity are major global issues. Vulnerable populations, such as those with low health literacy, have the highest rates of obesity. Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) nations have the highest prevalence of obesity in the world. This study describes the relationship between health literacy and demographic variables in a sample of NHOPI caregiving adults. Methods: We conducted a correlational study of 364 NHOPI adults. Each was a caregiver of at least one NHOPI child. Data were collected at grocery stores and a preschool in two Hawaiian Islands (n=209) and at NHOPI events in Utah (n=155). …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Workshop/Support Group For Parents Raising Children With Type 1 Diabetes, Christina Marie Yazzie

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a workshop/support group for parents raising children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Diagnosis of a chronic disease in a child generally arouses acute anxiety and stress in parents. Parental stress when raising a child with type 1 diabetes is often centered on worry about their child's health and parents' ability to maintain the care activities needed by these children. Parents are the primary caregivers of children with Type 1 diabetes, and the effect of stress on parents can impact the health of both children and parents. The present …

The Relationship Between Select Demographic Characteristics And Body Mass Index Among Native Hawaiian And Other Pacific Islander Caregiving Adults, Katrina Duncan

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders (NHOPIs) have the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity in the world. This study identified the proportion of our NHOPI sample in each body mass index (BMI) category and explored relationships between demographic characteristics and BMI. Design: This descriptive correlational study included 364 NHOPI caregiver adults in Utah (n=155) and Hawaii (n=209). We gathered demographic information with a questionnaire. Height and weight were measured for BMI calculations. Results: According to the CDC's BMI categories, 84.3% of our sample was overweight (BMI=25.0-29.9) or obese (BMI ≥30). Participants in Utah had significantly higher BMIs than …

Emergency Nurses' Suggestions For Improving End-Of-Life Care Obstacles, Renea L. Beckstrand, R. Daniel Wood, Lynn C. Callister, Karlen E. (Beth) Luthy, Sondra Heaston

Faculty Publications

Introduction: More than 123 million ED visits are reported annually. Many patients who arrive for care to help extend their lives instead die while in the emergency department. Emergency departments were designed to save lives rather than to provide optimal end-of-life (EOL) care. Emergency nurses care for these dying patients and their families. The purpose of this study was to determine what suggestions emergency nurses have for improving EOL care.

Methods: Emergency nurses were asked which aspects of EOL care they would like to see changed to improve how patients die in emergency departments. Of the 1000 nurses surveyed, 230 …

Emergency Department Nurses' Suggestions For Improving End-Of-Life Care, Robert D. Wood

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Death is not an uncommon outcome for patients who seek immediate care in an emergency department. Although death is common in the emergency department there is little literature regarding end-of-life care in the emergency department. The purpose of this research study is to determine what changes emergency nurses would suggest to improve end-of-life care for dying patients and their families in emergency departments.

Background: A national, geographically dispersed, random sample of 1000 emergency nurses were sent a questionnaire entitled, "Emergency Nurses' Perceptions of End-of-Life Care." Inclusion criteria included nurses who were members of the Emergency Nurses Association, could read …

The Last Frontier: Rural Emergency Nurses’ Perceptions Of End-Of-Life Care Obstacles, Renea L. Beckstrand, Virginia C. Giles, Karlen E. (Beth) Luthy, Lynn C. Callister, Sondra Heaston

Faculty Publications

Introduction: Caring for dying patients is part of working in a rural emergency department. Rural emergency nurses are prepared to provide life-saving treatments but find there are barriers or obstacles to providing end-of-life (EOL) care. This study was completed to discover the size, frequency, and magnitude of obstacles in providing EOL care in rural emergency departments as perceived by rural emergency nurses.

Methods: A 57-item questionnaire was sent to 52 rural hospitals in Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, and Alaska. Respondents were asked to rate items on size and frequency of perceived obstacles to providing EOL care in rural emergency departments. …

Postpartum Depression In Immigrant Hispanic Women: A Comparative Community Sample, Laura Mae Shellman

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This study was initiated to verify whether a remarkably high rate of postpartum depression (PPD), previously found in immigrant Hispanic women receiving health care at a community clinic, would also be found in a community sample with a similar demographic.

Data Sources: Sixty immigrant Hispanic women who had recently given birth were recruited from local community settings. The Beck Postpartum Depression Screening Scale-Spanish version (PPDS-S) and the General Acculturation Index (GAI) were used to screen for PPD symptoms and to collect demographic data. These data were then compared with previously published data from the community clinic sample.

Conclusions: Sixty …

Emergency Nurses' Perception Of Department Design As An Obstacle To Providing End-Of-Life Care, Renea L. Beckstrand, Ryan J. Rasmussen, Karlen E. (Beth) Luthy, Sondra Heaston

Faculty Publications

Introduction: Of the 119.2 million visits to the emergency department in 2006, it was estimated that about 249,000 visits resulted in the patient dying or being pronounced dead on arrival. In 2 national studies of emergency nurses' perceptions of end-of-life (EOL) care, ED design was identified as a large and frequent obstacle to providing EOL care. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of ED design on EOL care as perceived by emergency nurses and to determine how much input emergency nurses have on the design of their emergency department.

Methods: A 25-item questionnaire regarding ED …

Evaluation Of Methods To Relieve Parental Perceptions Of Vaccine-Associated Pain And Anxiety In Children: A Pilot Study, Karlen E. (Beth) Luthy, Renea L. Beckstrand, Amy Pulsipher

Faculty Publications

Introduction: The pain and anxiety associated with vaccination is a significant reason why parents are reluctant to have their children vaccinated. Distraction methods and vapocoolant sprays may be use to modify the parent's perceptions of their child's pain and anxiety, thus encouraging parents to return for the child's next vaccination.

Methods: A convenience sample of 68 parents with children ranging in age from 2 to 12 years was selected. The parents and the child were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group, a DVD distraction group, or a vapocoolant spray group. After the child was vaccinated, parents evaluated the …

A 2010 Survey Of The Inacsl Membership About Simulation Use, Teresa Gore, Patrick Van Gele, Patricia K. Ravert, Cédric Mabire

Faculty Publications

Background: The survey was used to identify current nursing simulation practices of the INACSL membership.

Method: The similarities between U.S. and international responders identified: (a) the education/experience of simulation educators, (b) use of a theory/conceptual framework, (c) use of commercial based simulation products and internally created scenarios, (d) interprofessional simulation, (e) student roles played in simulation, (f) regulation of simulation by licensing/governing body, and (g) simulations based on objectives.

Results: Significant differences were noted: (a) mandatory viewing of recording, (b) length of debriefing time, (c) ratio of simulation counted as clinical hours, (d) use of National League for Nursing simulation …

Integrating Advanced Writing Content Into A Scholarly Inquiry In Nursing Course, Barbara L. Madleco

Faculty Publications

Since there are few data examining methods to help students learn to write in a scholarly manner, the purposes of this project were to (1) evaluate students’ learning of writing content integrated into a Scholarly Inquiry in Nursing course by examining differences in scores on a writing assessment taken at the beginning and end of the course; and (2) examine student confidence ratings relative to writing to see if it improved during the course. After obtaining IRB approval and informed consent, the CLIPS pre and post assessment mean scores of 82 students in a Scholarly Inquiry in Nursing course were …

History And Development Of The Simulation Effectiveness Tool (Set), Victoria L. Elfrink Corgi, Kim Leighton, Nancy Ryan-Wenger, Thomas J. Doyle, Patricia K. Ravert

Faculty Publications

Background: There has been a lack of reliable and valid instruments measuring human patient simulation effectiveness reported in the literature. Two related studies addressing this concern are described.

Methods: A multi-phased pilot investigation at a single nursing program (N=161) and a follow-up multi-site national study (N=645) evaluated the reliability of the Simulation Effectiveness Tool (SET) as a measure of the effectiveness of a simulated clinical experience (SCE).

Results: Findings from the pilot study resulted in a revision of the original 20-item evaluation tool to a 13-item 3-point ordinal scale instrument. Two subscales, “confidence” and “learning” were noted with Chronbach's alpha …

Debriefing Experience Scale: Development Of A Tool To Evaluate The Student Learning Experience In Debriefing, Shelly Jensen Reed

Faculty Publications

Background: Debriefing represents the reflection phase of the simulation process, in which feelings are resolved and learning is solidified, but the nursing student experience during debriefing is largely unknown.

Method: The Debriefing Experience Scale was developed from debriefing literature and expert opinion. This scale was used in 2 research studies and refined through the use of factor analysis.

Results: The resulting scale, divided into 4 subscales, consists of 20 items defining the nursing student debriefing experience.

Conclusions: The Debriefing Experience Scale has the potential to assist in providing further insight.

Giving Birth: The Voices Of Women In Tamil Nadu, India, Cheryl A. Corbett, Lynn Clark Callister

Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study is to describe the perceptions of childbearing women living in Tamil Nadu, India. This study can increase cultural understanding and foster cultural competence in nurses caring for Indian women.

Study Design and Methods: Women were invited to share their childbearing experiences. Following institutional review board approval, interviews were held with 22 women who had given birth in the previous 18 months to a viable infant. The women were grateful for the opportunity to share their perspectives with an interested nurse investigator. Data collection proceeded concurrently with data analysis. Themes were generated collaboratively …

Developing Positive Attitudes Toward Geriatric Nursing Among Millennials And Generations Xers, Barbara A. Heise, Vickie Johnsen, Deborah O. Himes, Debra Wing

Faculty Publications

Despite the increase of the older adult population, there exists a shortage of health care professionals trained to help this population remain independent as long as possible. Ageism, common among younger adults, affects the capacity building of health care for older adults. Research has indicated that increased knowledge about older adults, as well as exposure to the elderly, may alter nursing students' attitudes regarding careers in gerontological nursing. However, questions remain as to what are the most effective ways to provide gerontological content in nursing programs and enhance attitudes toward older adults. With the understanding that younger adults see a …