Other Nursing Commons^™

Do Call-Backs Help Patients Post Stroke, Taylor E. Clark

DNP Projects

Aim and Objective: To determine if the implementation of a post-discharge call-back intervention for patients discharged home from the hospital after stroke was associated with a decrease in 30-day readmissions and improved patient satisfaction.

Background: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States (American Stroke Association, 2015). Several studies have examined various post-discharge interventions, including a call to the patient and/or family after their return home, to determine the benefit to patients, if any (Zolfaghari, Mousavifar, Pedram & Haghani (2012). Understanding and anticipating patient needs and removing barriers post-stroke may decrease readmission rates …

Nursing Knowledge And Perceived Comfort Level In Acute Infusion Reactions From Antineoplastic Agents, Andrea L. Maiorini

Honors Undergraduate Theses

INTRODUCTION: Acute infusion reactions from antineoplastic agents can include hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylaxis, and cytokine release infusion reactions. Severe acute infusion reactions happen in about 5% of the oncology patient population and nurses are responsible for assessment and management of the reaction. This is a high-stress task for a nurse magnified by the lack of exposure. This project explores nursing knowledge and perceived comfort level of acute infusion reactions caused by antineoplastic agents.

METHODOLOGY: An original survey was created to test nursing knowledge and assess comfort level. Nursing knowledge was broken down into six subscales: general knowledge of acute infusion reactions, …

Effects Of Hyperglycemia On Adults Hospitalized With Sepsis, Katie Cardoso

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Infectious sepsis (IS) is the result of a complex infection that is difficult to identify, diagnosis and treat. The gold standard for treatment of IS is early identification and intervention. There is a rise in patients with IS along with a concurrent rise of adults with Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Adults with DM are more susceptible to acute illness due to the multiple body systems affected by DM. Acute illness in adults with DM leads to increased blood glucose levels that become difficult to treat. Extreme elevations of blood glucose are linked to longer lengths of stay and higher mortality rates …

Black Caregiver Responses To And Perceptions Of Signs, Symptoms, And Treatments At The End Of Life, Samantha M. Sermarini

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Individuals in the final stages of life are often cared for by informal caregivers whose interpretation of the patient’s signs, symptoms and treatment needs and options may be incongruent with that of healthcare providers (Docherty et al., 2008). Nurses need to fully understand the scope of this disparity. The purpose of this study was to determine how Black caregivers interpreted signs, symptoms, and treatments for symptom relief during the last months of their loved one’s life. The effect on caregiver decision making was explored. This project is a secondary analysis of preexisting qualitative data. Transcripts from 5 focus groups encompassed …

Retention Of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Knowledge And Psychomotor Skill Among Undergraduate Nursing Students: An Integrative Review Of Literature, Fernanda Tirado

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this integrative literature review is to explore the effectiveness of different training modalities on the acquisition and retention of CPR knowledge and psychomotor skill among undergraduate nursing students. Background: It is well known that standard CPR-training is ineffective at preparing nurses for the rigors of a cardiac arrest event. Survival rates for in-hospital cardiac arrests remain low and the proportion of neurobehavioral sequelae among survivors is very high. Methods: A review of relevant literature published between 2006 and 2016 was conducted using the CINAHL and MEDLINE databases. The following key terms were used in the search: …

Educating Oncology Nurses With Simulation: A Chemotherapy Spill, Sherry Ann Demacedo

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

The purpose of the QI project was to determine if the use of a simulated chemotherapy spill increased the competencies and confidence of oncology nurses employed on an inpatient chemotherapy unit. An educational QI design was utilized including a confidential voluntary pre and post intervention survey. The simulations were held on a 25 bed oncology unit. Twenty-nine RNs participated. The simulation objective was to locate and follow the current hospital policy, the MSDS for the particular drug and clean up the simulated spill based on the current policy. Twelve simulations were conducted. Only 20.6% of RNs had been previously exposed …

Understanding The Role And Training Of Interdisciplinary Professions: Emergency Medical Technicians, Jason Morin

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Understanding the role and training of all healthcare professionals is essential for RNs who are responsible for delegating, receiving, and transferring patient care too. An educational program which educates nursing students about the role, and training of EMTs was designed in an attempt to enhance interprofessional collaboration, communication, and the safe transfer of patients across the two professions. EMTs were selected as a profession of interest related to the acute, and often frantic environment in which RNs and EMTs interact. The purpose of the educational program was to educate program participants related to the role, and training of the varying …

Exploring Nurses' Attitudes About The Value Of A Hospital Based Medical Futility Policy, Christie M. Bowser

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Nurses are responsible for providing care for patients and following through with a physician’s orders, however, it is not always easy to do. Certain cases are more difficult than others, especially those involving end-of-life care versus continuing with life-sustaining measures. It is not an easy decision for families or patients to make, but sometimes these life-sustaining interventions can do more harm than good, causing much distress among caregivers (Burns & Truog, 2007). Some cases have become hallmark cases like that of Terri Schiavo, a woman who was in a persistent vegetative state from 1990 to 2005 while her parents and …

Hyperphosphatemia In Hemodialysis Patients: Can An Educational Intervention Make A Difference?, Mofoluso Oluyemisi Agbelese

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Adherence to the treatment regimen, including proper phosphate binder use and the monitoring of dietary phosphorus intake, is crucial to optimal health outcomes in hemodialysis patients. Hyperphosphatemia remains a significant health problem in hemodialysis patients since excessive serum phosphate is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates in this patient population. Hyperphosphatemia can occur due to lack of knowledge. The purpose of this program is to determine the effect of an educational intervention on phosphorus knowledge in hemodialysis patients.

Participants consisted of a convenience sample of 12 hemodialysis patients. The teaching intervention utilized a pre and posttest design. The difference …

Oral Chemotherapy, A Tough Pill To Swallow: A Systematic Review, Jessica Corrente

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

As patients begin to receive more oral chemotherapies in the place of the traditional parenteral therapies, the responsibility for treatment falls on the shoulders of patients and their caregivers. The responsibility for the “five rights” of medication administration, which include the- right drug, right dose, right time, right route, and right patient are being transferred to patients and care givers. This places patients at risk for medications errors. Patients and care providers assume responsibility for medication administration, often with little or no healthcare education. As the number of patients being prescribed chemotherapies continues to increase, an emphasis on education as …

Assessing Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Spirituality And Spiritual Care In Aprn Students, Beth Susan Perry

Master's Theses, Dissertations, Graduate Research and Major Papers Overview

Research has revealed patients’ spiritual care needs are rarely addressed by both Registered Nurses and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. The purpose of this project was to assess the attitudes and knowledge of APRN students toward spirituality and the provision of spiritual care. Graduate students (N=51) at a suburban institution in Rhode Island were surveyed using the Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale (SSCRS). The results revealed that although these participants had encountered patients with spiritual needs, 40 of the 51 surveyed (78%) believed they had received inadequate training in the spiritual dimension of nursing care. Recommendations were made to improve …

Relationship Among Motivation, Emotion Regulation, And Psychological Well-Being Of Sophomore And Senior Level Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Aryene C. Delgado, Douglas Garner, Nicole Langhals

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Nursing education and professional work involve stressful circumstances that may indirectly lead to attrition, which can further contribute to the projected nursing shortage. This study examines the relationships between motivation, emotional regulation, psychological well-being and academic performance in baccalaureate sophomore and senior level nursing students at a Midwest urban university in the United States. The non-experimental, correlational study is guided by the self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) and uses online survey data collection and convenience sampling. Motivation, emotional regulation, psychological well-being (burnout; inauthenticity), and academic performance (GPA) are measured respectively with Deci and Ryan’s scale, the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, …

Difference In Knowledge Of Mrsa Regarding Sophomore And Senior Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Payton T. Lloyd, Daniel B. Whited, Lori N. Crimaldi

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Abstract

Background

The risk of infection by antibiotic resistant organisms is a common problem in hospital settings. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is the most common type of resistant bacteria that can have serious consequences or even lead to death. Nurses' knowledge of how to prevent and treat this problem is essential for patient safety. The purpose of this study is to determine the differences in level of knowledge of MRSA in sophomore and senior level baccalaureate nursing students.

Methods

This descriptive, comparative study will examine differences in knowledge of MRSA between sophomore and senior baccalaureate nursing students and determine if …

Understanding Cultural Health Beliefs And Practices In Ghana, Africa, Jamie Wossilek, Rachel Patterson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences and perceptions of university students and faculty after going on a medical mission trip to Ghana, Africa related to the health and illness beliefs of the Ghanaian people.

Background. Many organizations plan and conduct health mission trips. Although, many organizations are focused on improving health in developing countries, some may not understand cultural values and the health problems in those countries. “Improving health” is a complicated problem in developing countries and is hard to understand how those in the countries recognize health and illness.

Methodology. A purposeful, convenience …

Co-Morbid Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety And Bio-Behavioral Response To Stress In Patients With Heart Failure, Abdullah S. Alhurani

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Heart failure (HF) is a major public health problem throughout the world. It accounts for one death certificate among nine in the United States. Heart failure and sudden death combined are responsible for the largest number of deaths in America. The total costs of HF in the United States are estimated to be $37 billion each year. Despite substantial medical and surgical advances related to treatment of HF, it remains a very costly condition with high mortality and morbidity rates. Although biological factors contribute to high morbidity and mortality in HF, there are many unexplored psychosocial factors that also likely …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Anesthesia Guided By Bis Vs. Standard Care And Effects On Cognition, Zohn Centimole

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) occurs frequently in individuals undergoing major surgery with general anesthesia. POCD adversely affects morbidity and health-related quality of life. Derived electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring is utilized to guide the anesthesia provider in titration of volatile anesthetics. POCD has been associated volatile anesthetic neurotoxicity. EEG monitors are known to reduce a patient’s total cumulative dose exposure to volatile anesthetics. There is currently little evidence to support utilization of EEG monitors as a guide to reduce the incidence of POCD.

The purpose of this dissertation was to develop and test a technique of general anesthesia, delivered by anesthesia providers …

Implementation Of A Wellness Program To Address Health Disparities In A Vulnerable Population, Patricia Clark Pappas

Seton Hall University DNP Final Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to implement a Wellness program to address the health disparities in a vulnerable population. The population targeted was a local population that was served at a mental health facility for socioeconomically disadvantaged. The program focused on improving knowledge of cardiovascular health, empowerment and communication skills. Significance: The significance of the project is the improvement in ones wellness by provision of education, empowerment and communication skills. The attaining of these skills can translate into other areas of wellness and improved health outcomes. Populations at risk due to socioeconomic and racial differences can …

Preventing 30-Day Readmissions Of Clostridium Difficile Patients Utilizing Targeted Discharge Instructions, Keith A. Howard

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 ushered in a new era of fiscal accountability for healthcare organizations. Healthcare organizations and providers are now jointly held responsible for the improved quality of patient care and sustained reductions in patient care events termed healthcare-acquired conditions. To ensure compliance with this newly enacted legislation, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began penalizing hospitals for targeted conditions leading to 30-day readmissions beginning in October 2012. Annually, CMS has focused attention on conditions that endanger patient health and welfare while secondarily attempting to reduce the excessive financial expenditures in …

Patient-Reported Outcomes Screening For Improved Patient Wellness: A Cancer Center Initiative, Alison Morris

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: People experiencing serious illness have significant unmet physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs. The Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) requires patients to be screened for emotional wellbeing and pain by their second oncology visit. This project details one cancer center’s quality improvement initiative to (a) implement electronic screening of every cancer patient by their second oncology visit, (b) design processes for ongoing assessment and intervention of need(s), and (c) develop measurable and sustainable evaluation metrics to ensure that palliative care needs are met. Methods: In June 2015, we launched electronic collection of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) using the Patient Reported …

Depression Screening And Early Intervention On The Post-Stroke Patient, Marco Oliver Dugan Lopez

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Statistics in the United States (US) have shown an increase in the prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) or risk for developing CVD. Approximately 78 million American adults, 20 years and older, have hypertension, 31.9 million have elevated serum cholesterol levels, and 68.2 million use tobacco products. Within California, San Francisco (SF) was ranked 8th among counties with adult residents that have CVD. It is estimated that approximately 1.02% of these individuals will have a stroke each year and 16.25% will die from stroke. Of those that survive, it is estimated that at least half will develop neurologic deficits, and at …