Digital Commons Network^™

Animal Assisted Therapy And Reducing Depression In Chronic Hemodialysis Patients, Dawn Delucia

Discovery Day (formerly Post & Beyond)

Chronic dialysis patients are dependent on a hemodialysis machine to cleanse their blood of waste that is normally excreted by healthy functioning kidneys. The average number of hemodialysis treatments required per week are three with an average treatment time being three to four hours per treatment. Discontinuation of hemodialysis will result in death. The only way to eliminate the need for hemodialysis is a kidney transplant (National Kidney Foundation, 2008, 2013). Hemodialysis is not without its inherent risks. Side effects can include but are not limited to: hypotension, cardiovascular complications, cramping from fluid removal, and bleeding (Aguera, Martin-Malo, Alvarez-Lara, Garcia-Montemayor, …

Integrating Feminist Theory Into Myocardial Infarction Symptom Research, John R. Blakeman

Faculty Publications - Mennonite College of Nursing

Heart disease remains the number one killer of men and women globally, yet women have traditionally received less research attention in the cardiovascular literature, and an androcentric bias has persisted. Specifically, symptoms of myocardial infarction (MI) have been shown to be varied between men and women. Feminist standpoint theory is one perspective that researchers can use to explore the situated knowledge that women possess, given their unique experiences. This project incorporates a substantial body of literature, reviews feminist standpoint theory, and proposes three critical steps for MI symptom researchers to use as guides when conducting research. To advance the perspectives …

Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Polymorphism And Birth Timing: Pathway Analysis Among African American Women, Shannon L. Gillespie, Jeremy L. Neal, Lisa Christian, Laura A. Szalacha, Donna O. Mccarthy, Pamela J. Salsberry

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: Timing of birth is a major determinant of newborn health. African American women are at increased risk for early birth, particularly via the inflammatory pathway. Variants of the IL1RN gene, which encode the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) protein, are implicated in early birth. The biological pathways linking these variables remain unclear. Evidence also suggests that inflammatory pathways differ by race; however, studies among African American women are lacking.

Objectives: We assessed whether an IL1RN variant was associated with timing of birth among African American women and whether this relationship was mediated by lower anti-inflammatory IL-1Ra production or …

Effect Of Life Review On Quality Of Life For Older Adults Living In Nursing Homes, Rene' Wren

Occupational Therapy Collection

Aim: To examine the effects of life review on daily activities, social participation, outlook on life, and perceptions of living in a nursing home measured by life satisfaction and quality of life in older adults.

Method: The study design was a two-phase quasi-experimental pre-post-tests including development and testing of a life review protocol. Nine residents, age ≥65, participated in a life review group once weekly for 6 weeks. Outcomes were analyzed using the Life Satisfaction Index-Z (LSI-Z) and pre-post surveys.

Results: LSI-Z scores improved post-intervention and survey outcomes indicated participation in activities of daily living (ADLs), socialization, …

The Use Of Physical Restraints In Long-Term Care In Spain: A Multi-Center Cross-Sectional Study, Gabriel J. Estévez-Guerra, Emilio Fariña-López, Eduardo Núñez-González, Manuel Gandoy-Crego, Fernando Calvo-Francés, Elizabeth Capezuti

Publications and Research

Background: Physical restraint is a procedure used frequently in long-term care. It is a controversial practice because its use is associated with numerous complications and also affects freedom and individual autonomy. The objective of this study was to examine the use of physical restraint of long-term care residents with the ability to move voluntarily.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational and correlational multi-center study. Nine centers agreed to participate. Of the 1,200 people present at the time of data collection, those without voluntary movement or in the facility for less than a month were excluded. Thus, the final sample was …

Care Coordination In Bone Health Screening Between Individual Behaviors And Health Care Services Among Korean-American Women Across Three Age Groups, Young-Shin Lee

Asian/Pacific Island Nursing Journal

Integrated continuous care is important to prevent and treat brittle bone status in the aging process; however, minority groups often have limited access to health services. The purpose of this study was to identify the care coordination among women’s perceptions about their bone health, information from health care providers, and the results of Bone Mineral Density (BMD) tests across three age groups. The study was a cross-sectional comparative design. A total of 63 Korean American women completed both the assessment of BMD of the femoral neck and an interview survey. One’s own risks of osteoporosis, screening behaviors, and health care …

Faith Community Nurses' Impact On Family Caregivers, Lori R. Anderson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Title: What are the most compelling ways that faith community nurses support family caregivers? Background: The need for family caregivers will rise exponentially in the United States in the coming decades as older adults live longer lives and often with two or more chronic illnesses. Faith community nurses are uniquely positioned through their trusted presence in faith community settings to provide this support to family caregivers. Purpose: Family caregivers provide vital care to senior adults that our healthcare systems cannot absorb. Faith community nurses (FCNs) support family caregivers connected to their faith communities in tangible ways to strengthen the growing …

Business Plan For A Non-Profit Pediatric Iv Pole Wagon Distribution Program, Susan White Hester

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Problem: Children have reported that pain and anxiety were the most difficult part of hospitalization, and under treatment of pain and anxiety can have short and long term effects on health outcomes. Most healthcare professionals recognize a link between emotional health and physical health, but this may be especially true for pediatric patients who may not be able to marshal adequate coping skills due to their developmental age. Providing age appropriate alternatives, such as distraction therapy, may result in less invasive treatments for pediatric patients. Distraction therapy is an effective nonpharmacological intervention that is often under-utilized in the acute care …

Does Implementing An Evidence-Based Fall Risk Scale Decrease Fall Rates?, Melissa Jackson Smith

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

In this research facility, the falls risk assessment that was previously used was replaced with an evidenced-based tool, the Morse Falls Scale. Fall rates were analyzed for a five month period after implementation of the new scale, from May 1, 2016 – September 30, 2016, and compared to the same months the previous year to see if fall rates decrease with using the evidenced-based scale. Fall prevention is multi-factorial and begins with an assessment of the patients risk for a fall, and interventions which are personalized for each patient. Fall prevention should include all staff, as anyone can make a …

Hospice And Palliative Care: Imperative To The Education Of Nursing, Crystal Lynn Jordan

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Many advanced practice nursing programs do not have hospice and palliative care content included in their curricula. Reviewing the literature regarding the nature of hospice and palliative care content in advanced practice nursing curricula revealed few published studies. Rather than a small snapshot of what end-of-life care entails, it is vital to integrate end-of-life care into every aspect taught in advance practice nursing school. The purpose of this thesis was ascertain the nature of hospice and palliative care content contained in advanced practice nursing curricula. A survey was sent to advance practice nursing program directors asking for information related to …

Childhood Obesity: Physiological And Psychological Implications And Ethical Responsibilities, Connie S. Lewis

Journal of Health Ethics

Childhood obesity continues to be a health concern in the United States with physiological and psychological consequences. Research conducted in schools may address the physiological effects and exacerbate negative psychological effects, including weight bias and stigmatization. In the home, children are dependent on parents/caregivers to provide a healthy diet and exhibit a healthy lifestyle.The ethical theory, ethics of care, emphasizes dependence and interdependence on others, and ethical and moral responsibilities in the parent/child relationship. The assurance of ethical considerations involving children in research and parental provision for healthy dietary provision is of utmost importance. Any action or inaction that results …

Geriatric Competency Training For Staff Providing Chronic Care Management Services, Brigette C. Holleran

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Americans 65 and older are the growing at an unprecedented rate. Older adults with complex needs are outpacing the number of healthcare providers equipped to care for them. In preparation for implementation of Chronic Care Management (CCM) service, it will be important to engage staff and motivate participation through planned education and training. The purpose of this project was to implement a staff training that included increasing basic knowledge of the CCM program and participant knowledge of age-based competency principles. A pretest posttest design evaluated participants (N=31) who attended the Older Adult Sensitivity Training (OAST) program. Knowledge was measured using …

Common Factors Related To Illicit Substance Use Among Nurses In North America, Madison Marshall, Reinelle Regala, Lucy Gray, Emma Pedlar, Samantha Naguit

Student Research Posters

The prevalence of illicit substance use among registered nurses, though not widely studied or addressed, is understood to be an essential issue facing healthcare professionals. An impaired nurse is defined as someone who has impaired functioning as a result of substance abuse and it interferes with their professional judgment and ability to deliver safe, high quality care. Registered nurses have access to many high-controlled prescription medications, with little oversight, and the opportunity for substance abuse is significant. In our research, we studied the risk factors, the prevalence, and the preventative measures involved in addressing illicit substance use among nurses.

Impact Of Osteoarthritis Self-Efficacy Toolkit On Adults With Osteoarthritis, Connie Hutley Kiser

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Over 26 million U.S. citizens have a form of arthritis; osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form. Self-efficacy (SE) is defined as a psychological construct which identifies an individual's confidence when performing a behavior. SE is deemed a vital judge of self-management (SM) in those with OA. The purpose of this evidence-based practice, quality improvement project was to improve SE in OA patients. The identified gap in nursing practice was the lack of SE in OA patients. The project question asked whether a toolkit with information regarding SE in OA can improve SE of management of disease-associated symptoms in adults …

Nurse Practitioner Student Knowledge And Attitudes Towards Skin Cancer Assessments, Ryan Woodmansee

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer each year in the United States. With skin cancer and the demand for nurse practitioners (NPs) in primary care both on the rise, an accurate assessment of how well NP students are being prepared to perform skin cancer assessments is needed. Patient outcomes are directly linked to early detection and treatment which is essential for all types of skin cancer, especially melanoma. Nurse Practitioners need to be able to recognize the early stages of malignancy versus benign skin lesions and perform accurate skin examinations. The ability to assess practitioners’ knowledge while …

Exploring The Impact Of Gender Inequities On The Promotion Of Cardiovascular Health Of Women In Pakistan, Rubina Barolia, Alexander M. Clark, Gina M. Higginbottom

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Cardiovascular disease exerts an enormous burden on women's health. The intake of a healthy diet may reduce this burden. However, social norms and economic constraints are often factors that restrain women from paying attention to their diet. Underpinned by critical realism, this study explores how gender/sex influences decision-making regarding food consumption among women of low socioeconomic status (SES). The study was carried out at two cardiac facilities in Karachi, Pakistan, on 24 participants (male and female from different ethnic backgrounds), who had received health education. Using an interpretive descriptive approach, the study identified major barriers to a healthy diet: proscribed …

Caring Minds, Uthealth Cizik School Of Nursing

Caring Minds

No abstract provided.

2017-2018 Nursing Undergraduate Student Handbook, Morehead State University. Nursing Department.

Nursing Department Publications Archive

2017-2018 Undergraduate Student Handbook of the Department of Nursing at Morehead State University.

Nurses’ Knowledge Of Alcohol-Interactive Medications, Kyle Serafico

Honors Projects

Nearly 57% of adult Americans report drinking alcohol in the past month, and 41.5% of current drinkers take alcohol-interactive (AI) medications. Concurrent consumption of both substances can result in adverse interactions. Nurses are in a position to screen and appropriately teach patients. However, little is known about nurses’ knowledge of AI medications. The purpose of this study is to determine nurses’ knowledge of AI medications and factors that may affect knowledge level. The Jarvis Nursing Knowledge of Alcohol-Interactive Medications survey was developed and distributed to nurses employed by a large Midwestern health system. The final analyzed sample of nurses (n …

Move More, Stress Less: Exploring The Relationship Between Physical Activity And Test Anxiety In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Ashleigh Cleveland

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between physical activity and test anxiety in undergraduate baccalaureate nursing students. Participants (N=69) were first, second, and third year undergraduate nursing students at a small, private university in the southeastern United States. The Westside Test Anxiety Scale was administered along with questions regarding the type of physical activity performed each week and the number of minutes of physical activity performed each week. A Pearson r correlation coefficient and descriptive statistics were analyzed. Results were inconclusive regarding the relationship between physical activity and test anxiety. Survey results indicated 97% of students …

Quality Improvement Initiative To Reduce Fall Risk In The Snf, Ramona C. Lancaster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Residents who fall in SNF either sustain significant decline to quality of life or die from their injuries. The average fall costs about $34,000 per incident. On average, 19.8% of residents fall at least once per month. The purpose of this project was to assess, identify, and advance nursing practice to decrease falls by evaluating current facility standard of practice, fall policy, procedures, and protocol. The objective was to create actions that would close the communication gap between clinicians and residents. This project encourages clinicians to intertwine resident feedback and strategies into the plan of care to help reduce fall …

Social Determinants Of Health And Disparities In Outcomes Related To Cardiovascular Health In Vulnerable Populations, Jennifer L. Miller

Theses and Dissertations--Nursing

The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the mechanism of association between social determinants of health (SDH), particularly limited health literacy, and disparate outcomes related to cardiovascular disease in vulnerable populations. Specific aims were to 1) compare quality of life (QOL), anxiety, and depressive symptoms between genders in implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) recipients; 2) examine the association between multi-morbidity burden and QOL; 3) determine whether health literacy levels independently predict CVD risk in the male prison population; 4) examine the relationship between health literacy and decisiveness regarding end of life (EOL) choices, and 5) examine SDH as predictors of …

Development Of A Guideline For Hospice Staff, Patients, And Families On Appropriate Opioid Use, Trenika Alexander-Goreá

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is an identified problem with patients receiving suboptimal pain management at a hospice agency in the northwestern United States. At this agency, undertreatment of pain is prevalent. Evidence indicates that this may be a result of a lack of guidelines, education, and knowledge of appropriate prescribing. Known barriers to the correct prescription and administration of potent opioids in the hospice setting include prevailing beliefs, knowledge, skills, and attitudes, all of which can impact care negatively. Contextually, hospice principles mandate patient comfort and caregiver involvement in continuous quality improvement, which includes adequate and informed pain management. Moreover, hospice metrics demand …

Evaluating The Impact Of A Smoking Cessation Program., Gideon Eke

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Forty-six million individuals in the United States used tobacco products. People who use

tobacco products attempt numerous strategies before giving up smoking habit altogether. The goal of this project was to evaluate the impact of a tobacco cessation program by evaluating pre-and post-cessation program data, and hospital records of participants attending the hospital smoking cessation program over a 6-month period to ascertain the degree of reduction in tobacco use and hospitalization from smoking-related diseases. The population sample comprised of both men and women between the ages of 18 years and above. The project question addressed whether the smoking cessation program …

Exploring The Impact Of A Training Programme On Acute Healthcare Professionals' Attitudes And Understanding Of Dementia, Orla Quirke

Theses

Acute healthcare professionals lack education and training in dementia care. This results in people with dementia having poorer outcomes when admitted to the acute healthcare setting. An overarching aim of The National Dementia Strategy (2014) is the provision of optimal care for people with dementia in all healthcare and community settings. In response to this, Dementia Elevator a national inter-professional suite of educational programmes were developed by Dublin City University and the Health Service Executive to help individuals, communities and health systems engage positively with people with dementia. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a four-hour dementia training …

Detecting Agitation Onset In Individuals With Dementia Using Smart Phone Sensors, Christianne Fowler, Ajay Gupta, Kurt Maly, Karen Karlowicz, Maheedhar Gunnam, Rohila Gudipati, Mahesh Kukunooru, Rahul Rachamalla

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Individuals living with dementia (ILWD) often experience problematic agitated behaviors, this occurs in up to 80% of ILWD. These behaviors lead to stress for caregivers and increased frequency of institutionalization. There are many proven methods to intervene during agitated behavior outburst and the earlier these methods are used the better the results. Technology has been used successfully to monitor many aspects of health monitoring for older adults. Technology is now being investigated to evaluate the effectiveness of predicting the onset of problem behaviors, especially escalating agitation in ILWD. Off the shelf technology, smart watches and android phones, are being tested …

2017-2018 Nursing Graduate Student Handbook, Morehead State University. Nursing Department.

Nursing Department Publications Archive

2017-2018 Graduate Student Handbook for the Department of Nursing at Morehead State University.

Comparison Of Pain Management Modalities In The Development Of Postoperative Respiratory Failure, Amanda Carney

DNP Projects

BACKGROUND: This paper outlines the steps taken for a quality improvement study that investigated the development of postoperative respiratory failure (PORF) at University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center (UKCMC). The first paper describes the influence of an interprofessional education (IPE) pilot program on doctoral nursing students and the experiences gained while working on a process improvement project. The second paper is a literature review on predictors for PORF. The third paper is a case control study that investigated the effects of pain management modalities on the development of PORF.

OBJECTIVES: To outline the process for developing a practice improvement project. …

Incidence Rate Of Delirium After Cardiac Surgery And Feasibility Of A Delirium Prediction Rule, Kelly Bohl

DNP Projects

Delirium is an acute, temporary cognitive disorder that is characterized by a change in mental status, altered level of judgement, and changes in perception and behavior. Elderly patients who undergo open cardiac surgery are particularly at risk for developing delirium postoperatively. Although it is a temporary disorder, there are many consequences associated with delirium after cardiac surgery, including a longer length of stay in the hospital, long term functional decline, a greater use of health care resources and an increase in mortality risk. The purpose of this project was to identify the one-year incidence of postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery …

Telemedicine For The American Indian/Alaska Native Population, Janine M. Good

Senior Honors Theses

When compared to other Americans’ health, a worse health status is seen among the American Indian and Alaska Native population. American Indians and Alaska Natives are faced with numerous disparities in healthcare, such as decreased access to healthcare. Additionally, healthcare data about this group are missing. Although health beliefs and traditions can differ among tribes, there are also similarities. Telemedicine is the use of technology (i.e., phone, videoconferencing) to deliver healthcare. This healthcare service may be beneficial for this population’s healthcare needs because of telemedicine’s possible advantages. Although telemedicine also has disadvantages, a knowledge of and respect for American Indian …