Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Synthesis Of Gadolinium-Doxorubicin Prodrug Carrying Functional Nanoceria For The Targeted Drug Delivery And Cancer Treatment, Arth Patel

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The main focus of this research was the development of a polymer-coated nanoceria (PNC) platform to be used as a drug delivery system. Water-dispersible PNC is synthesized using a water-based alkaline precipitation method. Cerium nitrate hexahydrate and poly (acrylic acid) are used for the preparation of PNC. The synthesized PNC was characterized using ZETA, and UV- Vis characterization techniques. Polyacrylic acid (PAA)-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles fabricated for the targeted combination therapy of TNBC (MDA-MB-231) and MCF-7. Using EDC/NHS chemistry, the surface carboxylic acid groups of nanoceria was designed and synthesized with ICAM-1 antibody to target ICAM-1 overexpressing TNBC. Next, doxorubicin …

Effect Of Education About Pediatric Immunization Schedule And Vaccine Administration On Family Medicine Clinic Providers And Clinical Staff Knowledge And Confidence, John Matthew Derfelt

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Significance: In this original research, the purpose of this project is to compare and promote increased pediatric immunization knowledge among healthcare providers and clinic staff of a family medicine clinic. In turn, there is greater compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommended immunization schedule and adherence to vaccinations against the 17 vaccine-preventable diseases.

Methods: This exploratory pilot case study surveyed 34 individuals by using an educational tool with information regarding the current CDC-recommended pediatric vaccination schedule. Prior to reviewing the educational material, the participant tested their baseline knowledge about vaccination scheduling and immunization administration. …

Step It Up Macks Creek, Mo: A Community Walking Program, Amy Butler

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

An Abstract of the Scholarly Project by

Amy Renee Butler, MSN, FNP-C

Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for chronic disease. Despite goals, guidelines and interventions physical inactivity continues to rise. Rural residents are at even higher risks of sedentary lifestyles highlighting the need for research and interventions focusing on this particular population.

The purpose of this study was to develop a community walking program to create an environment of favorable health resources in a rural area of mid-Missouri. The walking program provided residents with an educational meeting followed by a five week walking intervention that evaluated participants step …

Synthesis Of New Aliphatic Pseudo-Branched Polyester Co-Polymers For Biomedical Applications, Zachary Shaw

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

In this study, a hyperbranched polyester co-polymer was designed using a proprietary monomer and diethylene glycol or triethylene glycol as monomers. The synthesis was carried out using standard melt polymerization technique and catalyzed by p-Tolulenesulfonic acid. The progress of the reaction was monitored with respect to time and negative pressure, with samples being subjected to standard characterization protocols. The resulting polymers were purified using the solvent precipitation method and characterized using various chromatographic and spectroscopic methods including GPC, MALDI-TOF, and NMR. We have observed polymers with a molecular weight of 29,643 kDa and 33,996 kDa, which is ideal to be …

Increasing Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Adolescents Through Parent Targeted Cancer-Prevention Education, Shannon Duncan

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

INCREASING HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINATION AMONG ADOLESCENTS THROUGH PARENT TARGETED CANCER-PREVENTION EDUCATION

An Abstract of the Scholarly Project by

Shannon Leigh Duncan

The purpose of this study was to determine if parent targeted HPV education emphasizing the cancer-prevention benefits of vaccination increased initiation of the Gardasil 9 series among adolescents attending Pittsburg Community Middle School (PCMS). This project was completed in conjunction with the Southeast Kansas Community Health Center (SEK CHC) and consisted of providing HPV and Gardasil 9 education to the parents/legal guardians of the students enrolled at PCMS one week prior and during the 2018 parent-teacher conference sessions. An …

Increasing Providers' Intent To Perform E-Cigarette Screening In The Adolescent Population, Andrea Hight

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Youth e-cigarette use has increased significantly in recent years. E-cigarette use has many negative health effects supported by the literature including increased risk of respiratory infections, nicotine addiction, and the potential for cancer. E-cigarette screening creates an opportunity for patient education and counseling, as well as potentially decreases e-cigarette use. However, healthcare providers do not regularly screen adolescents for e-cigarette use. According to previous studies, the main barrier to e-cigarette screening is healthcare providers’ knowledge regarding e-cigarette health effects. This project sought to increase healthcare providers’ intent to screen for e-cigarette use in the adolescent population, through the provision of …

Autism Screening Knowledge And Practice In Southeast Kansas, Briana M. Laforge

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by delays in social communication and interaction as well as restricted repetitive behaviors, interest, and activities. According to the most recent reports from the CDC (2018), it is estimated that 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with some form of ASD in the United States. Research has shown that early identification and intervention can significantly improve outcomes in those individuals diagnosed. As a result of this research, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended routine screening on all children for ASD at the age of 18 months and …

Provider Awareness Associated With Lifestyle Interventions And Adult Obesity, Reilly Tackett

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

The obesity epidemic cannot be solved through a single solution. A complex problem like obesity requires an intricately designed approach, comprised of both behavioral and environmental changes (Centers for Disease Control, 2015). Obese adults who attempt to alter their lifestyles often experience barriers to success. One such barrier is a provider who may be unfamiliar with evidence-based lifestyle interventions. Research suggests large variances both in provider knowledge levels and practice recommendations associated with adult obesity. This study’s purpose was; to determine if provider recommendations reflected clinical practice guidelines (CPG) associated with adult obesity, to measure current levels of provider knowledge, …

Fat For Life: The Development Of A Low-Carbohydrate High-Fat Dietary Toolkit For Type 2 Diabetes In Rural Southeast Kansas, Curtis Beall

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

The purpose of this project was to identify the feasibility of a low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet in less affluent type 2 diabetics in rural Southeast Kansas, specifically, Crawford County. The author assessed this through the identification of the resources offered in Crawford County, and ultimately, the development of an LCHF dietary toolkit utilizing these resources. The toolkit offers an array of LCHF resources including compliant foods, grocery prices, shopping lists, phone applications, books, internet websites and blogs, accountability forums, and fitness centers. Upon completion of the dietary toolkit a select few healthcare providers directly involved with diabetes in Crawford County …

A Pre And Post Survey To Evaluate Patient Perception Of Group Diabetes Self-Management Education In Rural Health Clinics, Stormy Carter

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Diabetes is a significant clinical issue in the primary care setting. Providers struggle to overcome barriers to facilitate therapeutic interventions for populations served. The specific aim of this study was to assess group diabetes self-management education from a patient perspective. Evaluation of diabetes knowledge and confidence of diabetes management was conducted in rural primary care clinics. This study utilized a one-group pretest-posttest design to patients receiving group diabetes self-management education in Southeast Kansas rural primary care clinics by a certified diabetes educator. The surveyed population included individual’s ages 18-65 with prediabetes, type 1, or type 2 diabetes who received DSME …

Knowledge And Attitudes Of Registered Nurses On Palliative Care, Amy Marpu

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

The purpose of this DNP scholarly project (SP) was to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of registered nurses (RN) regarding palliative care (PC) before and after an educational presentation. This SP strived to answer these questions: What is the current knowledge in RNs of PC and end of life (EOL) patients before and after the education presentation? What is the anxiety level RNs feel regarding medication administration and symptom management in PC and EOL patients before and after the educational presentation?

A multimethodology, cross-sectional study design was used. The participants were currently enrolled in the RN-BSN program at PSU. These …

The Usability And Acceptability Of An Electronic Clinical Decision Support Tool For Antibiotic Selection For Common Pediatric Infections In Outpatient Rural Healthcare Clinics, Samantha Simpson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

The purpose of this project was to determine the potential role, usability and acceptability of an electronic clinical decision support tool (ECDST) for optimizing antibiotic prescribing practices for pediatric patients in outpatient rural healthcare clinics. Providers working with pediatric patients at Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas were asked to use the ECDST to complete two case studies. Following completion of the case studies, participants completed two standardized surveys regarding usability and mental workload of the ECDST. The ECDST used in this project was found to require a low mental demand, have a high usability value, and was accepted as …

Nurses' Attitudes And Understanding Of The Suicidal Patient, Cheryl Lemmon

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Motivation / Problem statement: While not all suicides are predictable, there are reasonable guidelines for identifying those individuals at risk and reducing risk for high-risk individuals. There is, however, an apparent gap in best practice as there is a continual climb in suicide statistics. The aim of this project is to survey emergency department nurses to discover their attitudes and understanding of suicide. The purpose is to better understand the phenomenon, and guide education initiatives, as nurse professionals are in a key position of prevention when working with these patients.

Methods / Procedure / Approach: A non-probability, purposive and voluntary …

Spontaneous Pushing Vs Directed Valsalva Pushing, Erika Ellis, Barbara Mcclaskey

Posters

The purpose of this study is to determine if spontaneous pushing during the second stage of labor produces better maternal outcomes than the more commonly used directed Valsalva pushing. A literature review of the recent studies has been performed to determine if Valsalva pushing is simply archaic or absolutely necessary for healthier mother/baby outcomes. To recommend that women go against their primal urges to push in the man­ner that their own bodies are directing them, indicates that there must be research-based evidence to intervene in the natural order of things and use Valsalva pushing instead. When in fact, there are …

Human Gut Microbiome, Enrico José Aveiro Johannsen, Mandy Peak

Posters

The human gut microbiome has been an area of interest for researchers due to its established link with human metabolism, nutrition, physiology, and immune functions. The research presented further investigates the microbiome to better understand it. Stools from two healthy young African males and a French obese individual were analyzed using MALDI-TOF MS and the enrichment culture technique. For the identification of bacterial species metagenomics, genomics, and culturomics were used. The results showed a much broader biodiversity in the human gut than previously predicted, as well as better results when using culturomics for measuring biodiversity in large-scale isolation.

The Use Of Turn Assistance Features On Hospital Beds For Prevention Of Caregiver Injury, Trenton Tucker, Barbara Mcclaskey

Posters

In the world of nursing, caregiver injury is still a major problem. It has been reported that 44% of healthcare workers have lower back musculoskeletal pain. The purpose of this study was to examine ways to decrease injury to care providers. The methodology was a literature review focusing on turn assist technology. Education alone cannot always prevent a musculoskeletal injury, and thus the use of turn assistance features on beds is implemented. These turning functions have shown great success in helping prevent caregiver muscle strain, and in helping decrease caregiver injury. As general technology has increased, so has medical technology …

The Effects Of Alchoholism Within Family Structures, Abbey Westmoreland, Eva Cumpton, Hyejoon Park

Posters

Employing qualitative study with purposive sampling methods, we want to study family mechanism exposed alcoholic consumption. Testing the effects of alcoholism within family structures, we examined whether children and the spouse of the alcoholic displayed any signs of emotional or physical abuse after treatment had been in place. The number of years post treatment varied upon different individuals. We also tested whether the different treatment options such as AA or in-patient treatment had longer lasting effects. The sample size included 10 white males from different backgrounds. Family sample size includes 5 white individuals, 4 females and 1 male. Outcomes were …

A Pre And Post Survey To Evaluate Patient Perception Of Group Diabetes Self-Management Education In Rural Health Clinics, Stormy Carter, Ashleigh Heter

Posters

Diabetes is a significant clinical issue in the primary care setting. Providers struggle to overcome barriers to facilitate therapeutic interventions for populations served. The specific aim of this study was to assess group diabetes self-management education from a patient perspective. Evaluation of diabetes knowledge and self-efficacy confidence was conducted in rural primary care clinics using pre and post surveys. This study utilized a one-group pretest-posttest design to patients receiving group diabetes self-management education in Southeast Kansas rural primary care clinics by a certified diabetes educator. The surveyed population included individuals ages 18-65 with prediabetes, type I, or type II diabetes …

Breastfeeding And How It Affects Cognitive Development, Kylie Farris, Barbara Mcclaskey

Posters

If one was asked “which is better: breastfeeding or formula feeding?” the most common answer would be “breastfeeding.” This would be the answer 9 times out of 10. It is a known fact by a wide range of people, that in general, breastfeeding is the better option. Infants who are breastfed exclusively in the first six months of life tend to have better overall health outcomes than children that are fed only iron-fortified formula or a combination of the two. Therefore, it is likely that breastfeeding will indeed also improve cognitive developmental outcomes. That is the purpose of this study. …

The Correlation Between Stress And Alcohol Consumption In College Students, Christian Dowling, Sarah Cass, Morgan Hensley, Hyejoon Park

Posters

Stress levels in the life of a college student can be extreme. Sometimes the only way that the student knows how to cope with the high levels of stress is to consume alcohol. This coping strategy is not healthy and unfortunately, the use of alcohol as a coping strategy can lead to more harm than good. Recent studies have shown that 80 percent of all college students in America consume alcohol and that almost half of those students have binge drank in the past two weeks. This study evaluates the relationship between stress levels and the level of alcohol consumption …

Implementing Zero/Neutral Displacement Iv Connectors To Reduce Blood Stream Infections, Kirsten Mitchell, Barbara Mcclaskey

Posters

Catheter related blood stream infections are a major problem in the United States and account for over $225 million each year with over 1,300 infections occurring each day. By researching the most effective type of IV connector, health care providers can provide the best and safest care possible to patients requiring IV access. Zero/neutral IV connectors may be the answer to decreasing these infections as they produce no reflux in the connector which is a breeding ground for bacteria and occlusions. This literature review found that zero/neutral connectors performed better than positive and negative IV connectors when comparing both reflux …

Autism Screening Knowledge And Practice In Southeast Kansas, Briana Laforge, Ashleigh Heter, Janis Schiefelbein, Ananda Jayawardhana

Posters

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by delays in social communication and interaction as well as restricted repetitive behaviors, interest, and activities. According to the most recent reports from the CDC, it is estimated that 1 in 68 children are diagnosed with some form of ASD in the United States. Research has shown that early identification and intervention can significantly improve out­comes in those individuals diagnosed. As a result of this research, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended routine screening on all children for ASD at the age of 18 months and again …

Agreement Study Between The Parvomedics Trueone 2400 And Vacu-Med Vista Mini-Cpx Metabolic Measurement System, Mohan D. Perumal, Allison M. Barry, Michael Carper, Derek A. Crawford

Posters

Aerobic capacity (VO2 MAX) predicts both athletic performance and health status. Many tools are available to assess VO2 MAX ranging in both cost and accuracy. Understanding limitations of less expensive tools, likely found in settings such as health clinics or sports performance facilities, will help practitioners in developing accurate exercise prescriptions for their respective populations. To evaluate agreement lower cost VO2 MAX assessment tool (Vacu-Med Vista MINI-CPX) to the industry “gold standard” (ParvoMedics TrueOne 2400). Thirty-one participants (22.5 ± 3.5 years; BMI 24.9 ± 2.3; 51% female) completed two sessions of maximal VO2 MAX assessment using the Bruce Protocol graded …

Music Therapy In Preterm Infants In The Nicu, Olivia Murdock, Barbara Mcclaskey

Posters

A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provides life-saving care for premature and sick newborns. However, that environment is very stressful due to the noise of equipment, alarms, and constant activity. It is important to decrease the stress for the infant as well as the parents. The purpose of this literature review was to determine if there is benefit from the use of music in the NICU. The high level of stress and anxiety that parents experience during this time may put the parent/child relationship at risk. Overstimulation and ongoing noise in the NICU may delay improvement in health and increase …

Stop The Potential Killer: Prevention Of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (Mrsa), Brody Wild, Barbara Mcclaskey

Posters

The risk for hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections in the ICU is great considering the length of stay and the invasive procedures most patients go through. MRSA infections may lead to death and contribute greatly to the cost of care. The purpose of this study was to examine the evidence for the best possible means of preventing MRSA. The methodology was a review of the current research. Some of the measures that were found to be beneficial included daily bathing with chlorhexidine, environmental decon­tamination, MRSA screenings upon admission, isolation precautions for positive patients, eradication therapy, and strict hand hygiene. …

Medication Moderates Link Between Adhd And Some Intimate Partner Violence Measures, Griffin Williams, Jamie Wood

Posters

Intimate partner violence (IPV), is a significant public health concern involving physical or psychological threats from a current or former romantic partner. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014). Previous investigations have revealed that nearly half of all women and men have suffered from psychological aggression by an intimate partner at some point (Black et al., 2011). While IPV affects both genders, females suffer more than five million IPV incidents each year and nearly two million injuries (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, 2003). While many predictors have been linked to IPV, we focused on Attention-Deficit/Hyperac­tivity Disorder (ADHD) …

Umbilical Cord Milking At Birth, Jennifer Bowers, Barbara Mcclaskey

Posters

The World Health Organization recommends delaying cord clamping for at least 30-60 seconds after the birth of a full-term newborn. However, the recommendation on the time of cord clamping is not as clear with preterm infants or infants who need immediate resuscitation. The purpose of this study was to examine the best, most recent evidence regarding the timing of cord clamping. The methodology was a literature review. Recent research has focused on umbilical cord milking prior to cord clamping. Umbilical cord milking is described as “the unclamped umbilical cord is grasped and blood is pushed toward the infant several times …

Nurse-To-Nurse Bedside Handoff: Improving Communication And Patient Safety, Brynna M. Brouwer, Barbara Mcclaskey

Posters

Effective communication and patient safety are very crucial aspects of nursing care. The purpose of this research was to explore the evidence supporting bedside reporting with a standardized handover tool and to identify the problems that exist when no standard handover method is used. Interventions and improvements that can be implemented to bring about better outcomes in patent safety and effective communication will be identified. Bedside nurse-to-nurse change-of-shift reports as well as a standardized handover tool are effective means of increasing shared understanding while improving the quality of care and the patient’s safety. Bedside reporting with a handover tool such …

Pediatric Hospital Environments: Do They Make A Difference?, Rhyan Elliott, Barbara Mcclaskey

Posters

The environment can have an extreme impact on a child’s well-being, growth and health. This should be taken into consideration especially for those children that are surrounded by a hospital environment. The healthcare system can come across as extremely intimidating and frightening to young patients. The purpose of his research study is to change this mind-set by creating a more welcoming atmosphere through child-friendly interventions such as magic, colorful art, and nature. By conducting interviews with the children of these hospitals and using visual and exploratory techniques, the essence of what keeps a child’s spirit alive can be captured to …

The Decision Of Families And Hospice Nurses On Use Of Oxygen Therapy At End Of Life, Mary Gathoni, Janis Schiefelbein

Posters

Minimal research efforts have focused on why family members make the decision to use oxygen therapy for their loved one at end of life, and the thoughts of hospice nurses who recommend the use of oxygen. Many families and nurses believe the use of oxygen therapy in palliative care is a practice endorsed by the medical community. However, this is inconsistent with existing knowledge that oxygen use at end of life contributes to comfort and decreases breathlessness or dyspnea. Dyspnea, the sensation of breathlessness or inadequate breathing, is common for patients with end of life illnesses. Dyspnea occurs when an …