Digital Commons Network^™

A Novel Psychotropic Risk Assessment To Enhance Medical Management Of Patients With Behavioral And Psychological Symptoms Of Dementia, Nancy C. Trego

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

There is growing evidence and concern documenting the risks of antipsychotic use, and psychotropic medication burden in general, for older adults with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Yet nearly 25 percent of all long term care residents take antipsychotics for behavioral disturbances associated with dementia as “off-label” use, despite their modest efficacy and FDA black box warnings (CMS, 2013). Expert consensus calls for non-pharmacological strategies as the first line treatment, yet some patients with BPSD may require a combination of non-pharmacological interventions and pharmacological treatments for symptom reduction (AGS, 2011). The relief of debilitating symptoms aims to improve …

Primary Care At Home: Nurse Practitioners' Perceptions And Practices, Tonya Bragg-Underwood

Doctor of Nursing Practice Technical Reports

Background: Primary care at home is not a new idea, but rather a reinvention of an old and almost forgotten practice. Today, only 1% of primary care visits are provided in a home setting; despite the increasing aging homebound population in the United States. Current primary care at home research relates improved patient outcomes with primary care at home visits. Primary care at home is reemerging in the United States, but currently is not generating many positive reviews. There is a gap in the current primary care at home literature regarding nurse practitioner home visit practices and perceptions. Methods: A …

Results And Lessons Learned From A Nurse Practitioner-Guided Dementia Care Intervention For Primary Care Patients And Their Family Caregivers, Richard H. Fortinsky, Colleen Delaney, Ofer Harel, Karen Pasquale, Elena Schjavland, John Lynch, Alison Kleppinger, Suzanne Crumb

Articles - Patient Care

Older adults with dementia care needs often visit primary care physicians (PCPs), but PCP dementia care limitations are widely documented. This study tested the value of employing a nurse practitioner (NP) with geropsychiatric expertise to augment PCP care for newly and recently diagnosed patients and family caregivers. Twenty-one dyads received the NP intervention; 10 dyads were controls. Outcomes included patient neuropsychiatric symptom and quality of life changes, and caregiver depression, burden, and self-efficacy changes. Intervention acceptability by patients, caregivers, and PCPs was determined. No outcome differences were found; however, the NP intervention was deemed highly satisfactory by all stakeholders. Patients …

Successful Aging In The United States And China : A Theoretical Basis To Guide Nursing Research, Practice, And Policy., Valerie Lander Mccarthy, Hong Ji, Jiying Ling

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Successful aging is an idea gaining increasing attention given the exponential growth in the older adult population. Criteria and definitions within multiple disciplines vary greatly in Western literature, with no consensus on its meaning. Moreover, sociocultural, economic and political differences between the Western view of successful aging and its use in China – with the world’s largest older adult population – add to the confusion. Similarities and differences in the meaning of successful aging in the United States and China are examined and the potential for a common definition that is useful to nursing in both countries is explored. Using …

Psychometric Properties Of The Resourcefulness Scale Among Caregivers Of Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Caregiving for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be very costly to caregivers’ well-being. Resourcefulness interventions have shown increases in positive health outcomes. However, before delivering the intervention, there should be a reliable and a valid measure to test resourcefulness. The psychometric properties of the Resourcefulness Scale (RS) have not been examined among ASD caregivers. This study examined the psychometrics of the 28-item RS in a convenience sample of 204 ASD caregivers. A Cronbach’s alpha of .91 showed the internal consistency of the RS. Construct validity was supported by the emergence of two dimensions of resourcefulness (personal and social) …

Role Modeling Clinical Judgment For An Unfolding Older Adult Simulation, Kathie Lasater, Elizabeth A. Johnson, Patricia K. Ravert, Doris Rink

Faculty Publications

Nurse educators must foster development of clinical judgment in students to help them provide the best care for the increasing population of older adult patients. This article reports qualitative findings from a mixed-methods study that focused on clinical judgment in the simulated perioperative care of an older adult. The sample was composed of treatment and control groups of prelicensure students (N = 275) at five sites. The treatment group watched a video of an expert nurse role model caring for a patient similar to the simulation patient, whereas the control group did not watch the video. Four weeks after simulation, …

The Influence Of Family Hardiness On Caregiver Burden In Families With A Child With Disabilities, Devaun Sheppard, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this quantitative descriptive study was to examine caregiver burden and family hardiness in families raising children with disabilities (CWD) to determine 1) If there are differences in these variables according to parent gender and type of disability, and 2) If there is a relationship between the variables so more appropriate interventions can be provided to these families.

Factors Associated With The Emotional Distress Of Women Family Members Of Adults With Serious Mental Illness, Jaclene Zauszniewski, Abir K. Bekhet

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Women family members of adults with serious mental illness are at great risk for emotional distress. This study examined associations between characteristics of 60 women (age, race, and education), their relatives with mental illness (age, diagnosis, and years since diagnosis), and the family situation (relationship, living arrangements, and care provided) and symptoms of emotional distress. Depressive symptoms were greater among those with younger, non-sibling relatives. Anxiety was greater among Caucasians and those with a recently diagnosed family member, particularly bipolar disorder. Anger was associated with providing direct care. The findings are informative for tailoring interventions to minimize emotional distress in …

Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practice Of Primary Care Nurse Practitioners Regarding Skin Cancer Assessmnets: Validity And Reliability Of A New Instrument, Debra Michelle Shelby

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Background: Despite the rise in the occurrence of skin cancer, primary care nurse practitioners are reluctant to perform skin cancer assessments during patient visits. Melanoma is almost always curable if detected in the early stages, but invasive disease accounts for 9,000 deaths per year (American Cancer Society, 2013). Changing knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding skin cancer assessments potentially leads to early detection and treatment of skin cancers and impacts patient outcomes. However, in order to change knowledge and attitudes, we must first assess them. Purpose: The purpose of this research was to validate a new skin cancer assessment tool …

Music Therapy For The Body And Soul, Rhonda Benzley, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In effort to provide superior nursing practice, current research is examining the efficacy of a variety of novel nursing interventions. One such technique is Music Therapy, defined by Gillam as, “The controlled use of music in treatment, rehabilitation, education, and training of children and adults with a physical, mental or emotional disorder.”7 Numerous studies have shown the ability of music intervention to promote a sense of well being among various patient populations by decreasing anxiety, agitation and pain, promoting relaxation and stress reduction. These studies also show that music has been specifically beneficial in increasing orientation, memory and sociability among …

Individual Characteristics And Relocation Factors Affecting Adjustment Among Relocated American And Egyptian Older Adults, Abir K. Bekhet, Jaclene A. Zauszniewski

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Worldwide, the population of elders is increasing significantly. Relocation can be a positive or a negative experience, depending on many factors, including culture. The purpose of this study is to compare individual characteristics (age, gender, marital status, education, perceived health status, activities of daily living), relocation factors (movement preparation, time passed since relocation, closeness of prior home to the present, and whether relocation was from home or another facility), and adjustment in relocated American and Egyptian elders. This secondary analysis study merged data from two cross-sectional descriptive studies of a 104 elders relocated to retirement communities in Northeast Ohio and …

The Effect Of Virtual-Learning On The Cultural Awareness Of Nursing Students, Nicole Waters

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

This Capstone Project examined the effect of virtual-learning on the cultural awareness of nursing students. A convenience sample of 125 students enrolled in the advanced health assessment course in the Registered Nurse to Bachelor in Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) Program were included in the sample for this project. Of the 125 students, 53 completed pre-test surveys were submitted, resulting in a response rate of 42%, and 43 completed post-test surveys were submitted, resulting in a response rate of 34%. Descriptive statistics and measures of central tendencies were used to compare the overall mean score for the responses of …

Self-Care Of Heart Failure In A House Call Program, Becky Bryant

Doctor of Nursing Practice Program Projects

The incidence and prevalence of persons living with heart failure (HF) is growing in the United States. Heart failure is the most common admission in hospitals among Medicare recipients aged 65 years or older. Self-care of heart failure (SCHF) has been reported to decrease HF hospital admission rates. Elderly patients who are homebound do not have access to typical HF education and follow-up care. The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to implement a SCHF program intervention by nurse practitioners (NPs) with homebound elderly HF patients receiving home visits in a house call program. There were 18 sample …

Gw Nursing, 2014, George Washington University, School Of Nursing

GW Nursing Magazine

No abstract provided.

Falls And Hospitalized Cancer Patients, Rebecca Allan-Gibbs

Wayne State University Dissertations

FALLS AND HOSPITALIZED CANCER PATIENTS

by

REBECCA ALLAN-GIBBS, MSN, RN, CNS-BC, AOCNS

May 2014

Advisor: Dr. Patricia Jarosz, PhD, RN

Major: Nursing

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

Problem: Many hospital fall prevention studies have shown that having a diagnosis of cancer places patients at higher risk for falls/falls with injury when compared to other hospitalized groups of patients. Few studies have focused solely on cancer patients at risk for falls in the hospital setting. Specifically, this study used Dorothea Orem's theory of self-care (Orem, 2001), and Albert Bandura's (2001), social cognitive theory to determine if factors such as age, gender, health …

Caring Minds, University Of Texas Health Science Center At Houston School Of Nursing

Caring Minds

No abstract provided.

Editorial: Nurses’ Role In Improving Interdisciplinary Delirium Care In Inpatient Settings: Steps For Action, Annmarie Hosie, Jane Phillips

Nursing Papers and Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of The Cause, Effect & Control Of Hyperlipidemia From A Nursing Perspective, Melissa Rodgers

Theses and Dissertations

Two of the top four causes of death worldwide, heart disease and stroke, are related to hyperlipidemia, elevated cholesterol levels; these two illnesses account for approximately seventeen million deaths each year (World Health Organization, 2014). In order to combat the prevalence of these illnesses, the National Cholesterol Educational Panel has issued guidelines regarding cholesterol management. Extensive research has been published concerning cholesterol management. However, a gap remains between evidenced-based practice and community awareness of this phenomenon. This manuscript compiles research from peer reviewed nursing journals and acclaimed government and national organizations to express the cause, effect, and control of hyperlipidemia …

Development Of A Measure Of Nurse Vigilance From The Patient ' S Perspective: A Content Validity Study, Jennifer Boll

Honors Projects

Problem: Since the landmark Institute of Medicine report, To Err is Human, was published in 1999, patient safety has become a major concern in healthcare systems. Although attention is being given to patient safety and preventing patient morbidity and mortality, experts indicate that little progress has been made in decreasing healthcare errors. Vigilance is a phenomenon often identified in the literature as a means to promote patient safety and well-being. Purpose: The aim of this study was to establish content validity in a newly developed instrument designed to measure nurse vigilance from a patient perspective. Method: Generated 130 items and …

Nursing Pain Assessment & Management: A 3d Interactive Simulation, Enilda Romero-Hall, Ginger S. Watson, Yiannis Papelis, Hector Garcia

STEMPS Faculty Publications

In this design case, a team developed a 3D interactive simulation for nursing students and professional nurses to train and practice pain assessment and management procedures. In the simulation environment, the trainees interact with three emotionally expressive animated patients. The three patients vary in their ethnicity, age, and emotion intensity. Successful completion of the scenario requires that the trainee perform of a series of pain assessment and management tasks. The trainee is evaluated on the efficiency and appropriate sequencing of the tasks.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the decisions made regarding the type of virtual patients used, …

Betsy: A Case Study Of A Client With Down's Syndrome And Dementia, Cheryl D. Schlamb, Christine D. Moriconi

Nursing Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Changing Places: Adult Children And The Transition Of Aging Parents, Sarah Martin Gilbert

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: This dissertation analyzed measurement of relocation transition in older adults, assessed research for the manner in which older adults make the decision to move, and the adult child's role in the transition of their aging parents. Design: Using Hawker, Payne, Kerr, Hardey, & Powell's (2002) mixed research review method, two integrative reviews were conducted. The first examined how relocation transition is measured in the literature while the second applied the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1985) to determine the behavioral beliefs, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control of older adults as they contemplate a relocation from independent living to …

Life After Nursing School: A Qualitative Study Examining The Traditional B.S.N. Student's Experience Of Choosing An Initial Area Of Practice, Charlsie Nicole Murphy

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the traditional BSN student's experience in choosing an initial area of practice and influences on this choice. Understanding of this experience is important for educators and healthcare agencies so they may utilize this information to improve the initial area of practice experience. This qualitative phenomenological study was based on van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenological approach. Data were collected through participant interviews that were analyzed for themes related to participant experiences of choosing an initial area of practice. The data were simultaneously transcribed and analyzed to extract themes for each participant. Analysis identified three …

Telehealth: Preparing Advanced Practice Nurses To Address Healthcare Needs In Rural And Underserved Populations, Carolyn M. Rutledge, Tina Haney, Michele Bordelon, Michelle Renaud, Christianne Fowler

Ellmer School of Nursing Faculty Publications

Healthcare is being confronted with questions on how to deliver quality, affordable, and timely care to patients, especially those in rural areas, in systems already burdened by the lack of providers. Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) have been challenged to lead this movement in providing care to these populations through the use of technologies, specifically telehealth. Unfortunately, APRNs have limited exposure to telehealth during their educational experience, thereby limiting their understanding and comfort with telehealth. To address this problem, a telehealth program was developed at a large university that prepares Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) APRN students. The telehealth program, …

Identifying And Addressing Sources Of Measurement Error In The Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire, Eileen Gigliotti, William Ellery Samuels, June Como, Tofiga Gamidova, Brian Gordon, Peter Acerios

Publications and Research

Background and Purpose: The Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (NSSQ) provides a rich portrait of one’s perceived social support including network size/composition and quality of support. Analyses of quantitative research reports and critiques of the NSSQ revealed non-negligible measurement error. We document evidence of measurement error, report potential sources of this error, and present forthcoming psychometric testing. Methods: Quantitative evidence of measurement error from the NSSQ literature provided the basis for initial hypotheses concerning sources of error in network nomination and support ratings. We then conducted cognitive interviews to investigate these hypotheses. Results: Cognitive interviews revealed evidence of respondents’ miscomprehension and …

Public Health Model Identifies Recruitment Barriers Among Older Adults With Delirium And Dementia, Margaret J. Bull, Lesley Boaz, Jennifer M. Sjostedt

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Recruiting older adults and their family caregivers into research studies presents challenges. Although the literature notes some general recruitment challenges, no studies specifically address the unique challenges of recruiting older adults who have Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and their family caregivers in studies about delirium or suggest using a framework to identify barriers to recruiting this population. In conducting a pilot study about preparing family caregivers to detect delirium symptoms in older adults with (AD) the researchers used the Public Health Model for identifying barriers to recruitment. The goals of this methodological article are to: (1) briefly describe the methodology of …

Family Caregivers’ Knowledge Of Delirium And Preferred Modalities For Receipt Of Information, Margaret J. Bull, Lesley Boaz, Jennifer M. Sjostedt

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Delirium is a life-threatening, frequently reversible condition that is often a sign of an underlying health problem. In-hospital mortality alone for older adults with delirium ranges from 25% to 33%. Early recognition of delirium is critical because prolonged duration poses a greater risk of poor functional outcomes for older adults. Family caregivers, who are familiar with the older adult’s usual behaviors, are most likely to recognize delirium symptoms but might dismiss them as due to aging. It is important to learn what family caregivers know about delirium to ascertain their need for education. The aims of this study were to …

“Keeping It Together, Keeping Their Heads Above Water”: Western Australian Child Health Nurses’ Understanding Of Resilience In Postpartum Mothers, Rachael O. Collins, Julie Ann Pooley, Myra F. Taylor

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Assessing the well-being of postpartum mothers is an important aspect of postnatal nursing care. For this reason, Child Health Nurses (CHNs) are charged with the responsibility of identifying postpartum mothers who do/not manifest resilient behavioral qualities. However, little is known about CHNs’ conceptualization of resilience or how they assess resilience in postpartum mothers. This exemplar study addressed this knowledge shortfall by conducting semi-structured interviews with eight practicing CHNs. The study’s findings reveal that although CHNs’ conceptual understanding of resilience is congruent with current theoretical thinking, some variance does exist in the ways in which CHNs assess postpartum resilience, particularly, in …

Active Ageing In Pakistan: Challenges And Opportunities, Samina Vertejee, Noureen Nasruddin Karamali

Department of Surgery Docs

Abstract

The increasing number of ageing population is a signpost for re-directing the resources to ensure quality of life for elderly thus promoting active ageing. However, the challenges to achieve the goal outweigh the opportunities due to scarcity of resources. Several factors including, brain drain, poverty, lack of knowledge of elderly to protect their rights in association with poor state laws determines the poor quality of life for elderly in Pakistan. Although, the apparent scenario is quite unpleasant yet there are several opportunities such as improved crude birth and death rates, increased awareness about gerontology as a specialty care area …

The Relationships Between Licensed Vocational Nurses' Care, Documentation, And Perceptions Of Dementia-Compromised Behaviors In The Nursing Home, Jennifer J. Yeager

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia increase as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias progress; these symptoms occur in as many as 80% of persons with dementia living in nursing homes. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, also known as dementia-compromised behaviors, are a source of stress for nursing home staff, family members, and other residents and adversely affect the quality of life and safety of residents. Ethnonursing, a qualitative research method, was used to examine the relationship between licensed vocational nurses' responses to dementia-compromised behaviors, documentation, and perceptions of dementia care. Data analysis resulted in three overarching themes related to …