Geriatric Nursing Commons^™

The Effects Of Non-Pharmacological Interventions For Behavior And Psychological Symptoms Of Dementia: A Benchmark Study, Rachel R. Williams

MSN Capstone Projects

The management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in patients who reside in nursing homes can be challenging. These neuropsychiatric behaviors can include but are not limited to aggression, agitation, delirium, depression, and psychosis (Cloak & Al Khalili, 2022). Patients with BPSD often have difficulty expressing their needs due to the disease process, resulting in further complexity when managing behaviors. There are no psychotropic medications to treat BPSD specifically, but many are often prescribed to treat the symptoms or behaviors exhibited by patients. The use of psychotropics, especially long-term can cause a myriad of adverse effects and should …

The Effect Of Obesity On Comorbidities: A Benchmark Study, Kaley Nolen

MSN Capstone Projects

Obesity is distinguished by a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30. Tremmel et al. (2017) reports obese individuals are at a greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. In 2014, approximately 641 million adults were classified as obese (Zhang et al., 2018). This epidemic has drastically worsened over the last two decades resulting in obesity ranking as the fifth most common cause of death globally (Safaei et al., 2021). Okunogbe et al. (2021) states, slowing the incidence rate of obesity by 5% will save approximately $3.3 billion annually between 2020-2060. The pathophysiology and cause of obesity is …

Benchmark: Impact Of Weight Loss Education On Obese Patients, Tabitha A. Moorehead

MSN Capstone Projects

Objective: With an epidemic as severe as obesity, it is paramount that healthcare professionals be aware of the overarching negative effects the disease can contribute to the human body. If constructive dialogue can be achieved between patient and provider without suspicion of bias or judgment, we would potentially experience an elevated willingness of patients to follow treatment steps.

Background: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), worldwide obesity has nearly tripled since 1975. “Most of the world's population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight” (WHO, 2021). “More than 4 in 10 Americans are …

Promoting Sleep To Decrease Delirium, Stephanie Mayne

MSN Capstone Projects

Delirium is potent risk factor for complications, an increase length of stay, and mortality. Hospital acquired delirium is a prevalent and serious health condition that can occur in patients, especially the older adult population, when admitted to the hospital. It has the ability to be prevented if properly addressed and interventions are set in place to help reduce the occurrence of hospital acquired delirium. Many factors can contribute to the development of delirium, including a disruption of one’s circadian rhythm. Sleep is not always a high priority in the hospital, therefore there are little interventions and goals aimed at improving …

Diabetes Prevention Program, Ashley L. Stine

MSN Capstone Projects

The prevalence of diabetes in Texas has increased 40 percent over the last decade and will continue to rise as of 2019. New onset diabetes, chronic, and children with diabetes has significant rise in hospitalization rates. COVID and its restraints of limiting physical activity, restrictions of gyms and sedentary lifestyles. Chronic diabetics who were frequent flyer hospitalizations rates increase due to poor social support, mental health and stressors increased during COVID also. This diabetes prevention program that consists of 16wks for new and current diabetics would decrease complications of diabetes such as DKA, retinopathy, nerve pain, chronic pain, AMS, amputations, …

Bedside Shift Reporting: A Benchmark Project, Clydea C. Hale

MSN Capstone Projects

Patient care is forever changing to improve satisfaction, safety, and overall treatment. Over the past few years, patients and their families are more invested in their overall care in the hospital and expect to be informed every step of the way. A common complaint from patients or their families is that one nurse or staff did not know the individuals care or treatment plan, there were no shift goals to work toward discharge, and the nurse did not update the patient/family with changes in care. All of these complaints along with the patient satisfaction scores and communication between the treatment …

Benchmark Project On Interactive Education Class For Osteoporosis Patients, Adrienne N. Johns

MSN Capstone Projects

Research project focusing on providing patients that have been diagnosed with osteoporosis with an non-traditional interactive educational opportunity to better their health and improve quality of life.

Huddle And Safety, Jaelynn Hall Bsn, Rn

MSN Capstone Projects

The purposed evidence-based practice (EBP) project focuses on a nursing intervention (team huddles) to increase safety and reduce inpatient fall rates. Negative outcomes to consider from an inpatient fall are harm and injury to the patient along with increased health care cost for the patient as well as hospital facility. Accrued cost associated with an in-patient injury resulting from a fall is not reimbursed according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The additional cost for hospital-acquired falls is estimated to be $6,694 (95% CI: -$1,277 to $14,665) (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 2017). This was only related …

Oral Care And Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Prevention, Rachel Baber

MSN Capstone Projects

With rising healthcare costs and increasing demands placed on healthcare workers, it is no wonder that decreasing hospital length of stay for patients is high priority for hospitals today. Hospital acquired infections are one of the culprits keeping so many patients hospitalized. Specifically, in intensive care units (ICU) and intermediate care (IMC) units that care for mechanically ventilated patients, ventilator associated pneumonia secondary to intubation is a complication and cost that is being sought to be avoided. Hospitals have been pro-active to prevent ventilator associated pneumonia from occurring by placing oral care bundles or protocols in place to care for …

Continuous Glucose Monitors To Decrease Hypoglycemia, Sara B. Woodcock

MSN Capstone Projects

Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people from children to older adults. There is no cure, although it can be managed to prevent complications. Education of student nurses is where they are born and raised to become nurses who save and change lives. Teaching student nurses in depth about diabetes as a disease and the treatments that best fit their specific needs is where educating patients begins. Learning about a secondary option for blood glucose checks can make all the difference for several patients. Multiple finger sticks daily has been the leading way to check blood sugar for …