Improving The Self-Esteem Of Early Adolescent Girls, Kelly Inoue

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

Self-esteem varies throughout an individual’s life and influences a person’s overall wellbeing and self-efficacy. A reduced self-esteem is associated with depression, anxiety, and substance abuse amongst other negative outcomes that impact the individual’s quality of life. A known decrease in self-esteem occurs in early adolescence and is more pronounced in females. There is an abundance of factors that influence self-esteem, such as body image, social support, and physical activity. Programs such as Free Being Me have been created to improve body image and self-esteem in young adolescent girls. The Free Being Me program was implemented in the afterschool program at …

Eliminating Routine Gastric Residual Volume Assessments In The Intensive Care Setting, John Marshall Smith

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

This evidence-based project sought to evaluate the practice change of routine GRV elimination within a 14 bed adult intensive care unit (ICU) at a large teaching hospital in the southeastern United States. For decades, the gold standard to determine tolerance to enteral nutrition (EN) has been routine GRV assessments via aspiration. However, recent studies have concluded the practice ineffective. Critical Care guidelines published in 2016 now recommend cessation of routine GRV assessments (Ozen, et. al, 2018). In-servicing, education, and implementation of a validated protocol from the University of Virginia Medical Center was used to enact the practice change. A 30-day …

Benefits Of Infant-Driven Feeding In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Literature Review, Maddison Carroll

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Current policy in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) is to prescribe a volume of formula or milk to ingest a certain number of times per day to infants admitted to the NICU. The method of infant-driven feeding (IDF) is believed to be a superior alternative that allows the infants to determine the timing and volume consumed and leads to better patient outcomes. To be considered in this review, the studies were required to be primary sources that were peer- reviewed, conducted in the last five years, and had to include at least one of three outcomes: weight gain, time to …

Tiny Tusks Breastfeeding And Infants Support Internship, Lacey Schroeder

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Tiny Tusk Breastfeeding and Infant Support is an organization that provides resources to families at public Razorback events. Tiny Tusks provides a safe space for women to breastfeed in public as well as educate the community about the importance of breastfeeding. Women are allowed to use the space to breastfeed, pump, or use a clean diaper changing station. Once finished, they are asked to complete a survey pertaining to their experience and what they would have done if the resources provided by Tiny Tusks were not available. The stigma surrounding public breastfeeding is discouraging women from breastfeeding exclusively, which is …

Family-Centered Care In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Sarah Brown

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Family-centered care has not always been integrated with patient-care. In the mid-1900's, a movement began that altered the role of the family from observer to participant. With the help of family advocates, inclusive practices and partnerships between families, patients, and providers was initiated (Kuo et al, 2012). Now, family and patient-centered care is a widely practiced form of individualized care and relationship building between families, patients and their providers. Five principles shape the foundation for family-centered care. These include information sharing, respect and honoring differences, partnership and collaboration, negotiation, and care in the context of family and community (Kuo et …

Participation In Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy On The Immune Function Of Survivors Of Breast Cancer: A Literature Review And Pilot Study For Clinical Practice, Bianca Marteja

Nursing | Senior Theses

A review of current literature presented in this work suggests that MBSR participation results in NKCA, T-cell and B-cell restoration as well as a reduction in inflammatory biomarkers. While results from these studies are statistically significant, they are, however, relatively small. Furthermore, the reliability and one’s ability to generalize study findings from this literature review is limited by consistently small sample sizes, high attrition, differing forms of MBSR application, and inconsistent adherence to MBSR home practices.

The distribution of a 10-point survey using likert scales occured in a pilot study associated with the aforementioned literature review; this survey evaluated registered …

A Multifactorial Intervention To Reduce Weight Bias In Healthcare Providers, Rose M. Flinchum

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

No abstract provided.

Provider-Led Intervention For Overweight Or Obese African American Women Ages 18-65 With A Bmi 25 Kg/ M₂, Tonya A. Harvey

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Overweight and obese African American women tend to suffer most from the impacts of diseases, health disparities, disabilities, and decreased qualities of life (Sutton et al., 2016). Most weight loss programs are not culturally specific, despite the benefits of dietary changes and increased physical activity for all groups. The purpose of this EBP project was to implement a provider-led program including lifestyle, dietary, and activity components to decrease weight, BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure in African American women. The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice to promote quality care was used to guide the EBP project, aimed to address obesity …

Caregivers Of Medically Fragile Children With Technology Needs, Vuong Prieto

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background: Medically fragile children (MFC) with technology needs have complex and challenging health care needs in the home setting. Providing care can have both negative and positive psychological and social impacts on the caregivers’ health related quality of life (HRQOL).

Aims: a) To examine the relationship between caregiver burden, caregiving satisfaction, and HRQOL in caregivers of MFC with technology needs. b) To identify caregiver and child related variables of caregiver burden and caregiving satisfaction.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted over four months at a children’s hospital and outpatient clinics. Caregivers completed three one-time surveys (Zarit Burden Interview, Caregiving …

Left Ventricular Assist Device Adjustment Impacted By Patient Trajectory: A Qualitative Exploratory Study, Brittany Rhoades

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background: Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) are used as advanced therapy for advanced heart failure in order to sustain patients until a heart transplant is available (bridge to transplant, ‘BTT’) or until the end of life (destination therapy, ‘DT’). Despite the differences in treatment trajectory, BTT and DT patients are provided the same education. Currently it is unknown if the two groups compare to living with the LVAD regarding adjustment.

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore LVAD patient experience, describe how patients construct the impact of the LVAD on daily life and self-care and compare the findings …

Maternal And Newborn Outcomes For Women Living With Hiv In Adapted Group Prenatal Care, Jodi Behr

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Background: For women living with HIV (WLWH), managing HIV and their pregnancy can be challenging. WLWH have been identified at risk for lower adherence to prenatal care, increased maternal HIV Plasma RNA levels, decreased newborn gestational age, and newborn birth weight. Improved outcomes have been found with group prenatal care. Maternal and newborn outcomes for WLWH and their newborns in group prenatal care compared to WLWH and their newborns in individual care have not been evaluated.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to evaluate group differences between WLWH who attended individual prenatal care appointments (IC) compared to WLWH who …

The Impact Of Stress On The Menstrual Cycle, Katherine Iris Gilbrech

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background/Purpose

Reproductive health is an important indicator of a woman’s overall health; however, menstruation is often viewed negatively in modern society. Across the nation, women are suffering with issues related to hormones and menstruation. Evidence continues to surface linking high levels of stress to negative health outcomes. The purpose of this literature review is to assess the effects of stress and stress reduction of the menstrual cycle in naturally-cycling women of reproductive age.

Methods

Peer-reviewed research within the past five years was selected for this review using the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health. A variety of …

Reflection And Literature Review On Loving Choices Pregnancy Center Internship, Madison Stave

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

This honors thesis involves a personal reflection and literature review of a nurse internship at Loving Choices Pregnancy Center in Fayetteville, AR. The purpose of this internship was to provide a learning experience in women’s and obstetrical health. Responsibilities included completing community resource projects and assisting staff and nurses in the Care Center and Pregnancy Clinic. To satisfy honors requirements, five learning objectives were created during the internship. These objectives were all met and reflected upon in the first part of this thesis. The second portion of this thesis involves a literature review of the socioeconomic and health-related risks of …

A Protocol To Increase Referral Rates To Diabetic Education, David M. Rokser

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

In 2015, approximately 30.3 million Americans, including 10.5% of the population of Minnesota, had been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (American Diabetes Association, 2019). Increased risk of diabetic complications including neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease, and chronic wounds has been associated with an elevated hemoglobin A1C (HgA1C). Formal diabetic education has been shown to be a cost-effective intervention to reduce HgA1C. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion published an objective within HealthyPeople 2020 that seeks to increase the percentage of diabetics receiving formal diabetic education in the United States from 46.9% of adults to 58.4%. The purpose of this …

The Effects Of A Nutritional Intervention On Healthy Eating Habits And Body Mass Index, Kelley Eshenaur

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

In the US, overweight and obesity are growing concerns, as both can have life altering consequences if not prevented or treated. Since 2000, there has been nearly a 10% increase of adults who are obese, from 30.5% (85.8 million) to 39.8% (93.9 million) in 2016 (CDC, 2017). These conditions are preventable with early intervention and motivation. Obesity statistics are especially of interest during the transition to young adulthood. The purpose of this project was to improve student outcomes by identifying barriers, effective strategies, and healthy choices that would ultimately impact weight, increasing healthy food choices, and decreasing overall BMI in …

Effectiveness Of A Multi-Component Intervention Program For Treating Childhood Obesity, Suzy Free

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Childhood obesity is one of the most chronic childhood illness worldwide (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2019; World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). The prevalence of childhood obesity has been described as one of the most common chronic childhood conditions (CDC). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to reduce the BMI scores of obese children using a multi-component intervention program that incorporates healthy eating, physical activity, and family involvement. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) model was used to facilitate the implementation of this EBP project. The synthesis of the appraised literature established that utilizing …

Impact Of Skin To Skin Contact Implemented In The Operating Room, Michelle K. Reno

MSN Capstone Projects

Healthcare is constantly advancing and adapting to provide the latest evidence-based care for patients and their families. This has become especially true with families deciding where they want to deliver their babies. Family-Centered Maternity Care (FCMC) has become the leading force behind providing care for women and their babies in the hospital setting (Zwelling & Phillips, 2001). One of the main nursing practices promoted under FCMC is that of mother-baby couplet care. The main goal of couplet care is to keep mothers and babies together throughout their hospital stay. This type of care also provides stability and consistency in nursing …

Improving Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In The Older Adult Population Utilizing Shared Medical Appointments In Primary Care Setting, Mailo Brantner

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The overall management of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its comorbidities is complex and costly. The American Diabetes Association (ADA, 2019c) recommends the use of team-based care and self-management tools to optimize the management of T2DM. Unfortunately, there is a national shortage of endocrinologists and certified diabetes educators (Stewart, 2008) along with a primary care provider shortage (Simmons & Kapustin, 2011). Thus, it is essential to implement a care model to increase efficiency while also promoting patient knowledge and self-management of T2DM to improve health outcomes. An example of an innovative care model is the shared medical appointment (SMA), …

The Impact Of Culturally-Tailored Education On Knowledge And Behavior Related To Screening And Lifestyle Management Of Blood Pressure In African Immigrants, Sarah Erskine

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The number of African Immigrants in the United States is increasing. The prevalence of hypertension among Blacks, including African Immigrants are high. In addition to the increased susceptibility to hypertension, lack of disease awareness and unhealthy lifestyle are documented barriers to achieving adequate blood pressure control. The purpose of this project was to determine the impact of implementing a 30-minute, culturally-tailored, evidence based educational session on hypertension to promote knowledge and initiate behavior change in African Immigrants. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study. Blood pressures were measured and survey instruments such as the Hypertension Evaluation of Lifestyle and Management scale …

Evaluating The Clinical Impact Of Providing Home Blood Pressure Monitors To Patients With Elevated Or High Blood Pressure, Theresa La Guardia Asmus

Doctoral Projects

Many clinicians continue to diagnose hypertension based on office-based readings, despite the 2015 United States Preventive Services Task Force recommendation for the use of home or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension prior to initiating treatment. Without obtaining blood pressure readings outside of the clinic environment, it is impossible to correctly diagnose hypertension, particularly regarding masked hypertension and white coat hypertension.

Stanford Health Care implemented a quality improvement project that provided patients with a home blood pressure device to monitor out of clinic blood pressure readings. The purpose of the project was to improve clinical care …

Nurse Practitioners’ Perceptions Of Telehealth Behaviors, Michelle Austin

Doctoral Projects

Problem: NP’s must be proficient in the behaviors that are required for a successful patient encounter to provide the full benefit of nurse practitioner (NP) telehealth. Consequently, it is imperative for NPs to understand telehealth etiquette behaviors which include the technical and non-technical skills that are necessary for an effective NP-patient patient telehealth encounter (Haney, Kott & Fowler, 2015). Telehealth has been incorporated into healthcare delivery and its use is expanding. In the United States, it is predicted to be used by seven million patients in 2020 (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2018). Appropriate access to health care …

Optimal Perioperative Blood Glucose Management And Its Effect On Patient Outcomes, Hilary Narum

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Elevated Pre-Operative Hemoglobin A1c On Post-Surgical Infection Risk, Emily Koska Rn

Nursing Capstones

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of Crisis Checklist For Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity (Last) In The Parturient Patient, Annelise Contino

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The chief anesthesiologist at a large hospital in Illinois requested education and a checklist on the treatment of Local Anesthetic Systemic Toxicity for the medical team involved in the care of parturient patients. The implementation of The Stanford Anesthesia Cognitive Aid Group checklist for LAST and an educational session was completed for all staff involved in the care of the parturient patient. A PowerPoint presentation was utilized to educate on the early recognition and treatment of LAST. The presentation was implemented at the obstetrics department staff meetings and the monthly anesthesia department meeting. A pretest was completed prior to education …

Improving Health Insurance Literacy Within Our Community Through The Use Of Local Libraries, Bonnie Gregg, Jenny Lieu

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Low health literacy is associated with a poorer ability to understand medical information leading to disparities among all ages. Communities play a role in supporting efforts to improve health literacy. Libraries are trusted institutes that offer an environment for all members of the community and serve as places of lifelong learning. A needs assessment approach determined a gap in knowledge regarding health literacy and insurance, specifically the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This project was an exploratory, community improvement project. Information was presented in educational sessions at two local libraries. Participants were also given an informative brochure to accompany the presentation. …

Plant-Based Diet: How It Affects Health, Sarah Marsland

Senior Honors Projects

This research project aims to investigate the relationship between plant-based dieting and overall health, specifically the prevention and reversal of chronic disease. Two subjects committed to eating a plant-based diet comprised of primarily vegetables, fruits, whole grains and non-processed foods for six weeks. Before beginning, they were asked about their current health status, including a complete health history, and their knowledge of plant-based eating. Throughout the research period, the subjects shared what they were eating, challenges they faced, and any benefits they noticed. Upon completion of the diet, they answered questions about their experience. With this information, the researcher was …

Health Care Access And Utilization By U.S. Farmworkers, Genesis Bojorquez

Dissertations

Background: Agriculture industry has the highest fatality rate among all United States industries. Farmworkers experience high rates of occupational injury, illness, and mortality, yet have limited access to health care. Implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) of 2010 increased health care accessibility and broadened farmworker eligibility for health insurance, yet no study has measured the impact of the ACA upon U.S. farmworkers.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to examine health care access and health care services utilization among U.S. farmworkers following the implementation of the ACA in 2010.

Specific Aims:

1. Apply the …

The Relationahips Between Health Behaviors Of Women And Health Locus Of Control Among Black Caribbean Women And Black American Women With Hypertension, Camelle Charles

Theses & Dissertations

Background

Millions of Caribbean women have migrated to the United States, and a sizeable number of these women and Black American women suffer from hypertension and other cardiovascular health problems. This research showed the comparison of health behaviors of both groups of women and the difference in their health outcomes. Today, there are more migrants in the world than ever before; an estimated 272 million international migrants in 2019, which is an increase in 51 million since 2010 (United Nations, 2019) and Caribbean migrants are a substantial portion of this pool. Approximately 4.4 million Caribbean immigrants reside in the U.S. …

Validity And Reliability Of The Antepartum Gastrointestinal Symptom Assessment Instrument, Lisa Hanson, Leona Vandevusse, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal, Donna O. Mccarthy, Teresa Jerofke-Owen, Emily Malloy, Heidi Paquette

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

To examine the psychometric properties of the nine-item Antepartum Gastrointestinal Symptom Assessment (AP-GI-SA) instrument.

Design

Single-group prospective design.

Setting

Urban prenatal clinic serving a diverse population.

Participants

Convenience sample of 45 pregnant women.

Methods

Participants completed the AP-GI-SA before a scheduled prenatal care appointment. We used Bayesian structural equation modeling to evaluate the construct validity of the scale and assessed known-groups validity. We assessed reliability through maximal reliability coefficient estimate and measured internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient.

Results

Participants completed the instrument in 2 minutes or less. Construct validity was supported by confirmatory factor analysis (posterior predictive p …

Patient Education In The Hospital-At-Home Care Context, Heli Vaartio-Rajalin, Linda Nyholm, Lisbeth Fagerström

Patient Experience Journal

The objective of this study is to describe adult patients’ and their family caregivers’ experiences of patient education in the hospital-at-home care context. Methods included a cross-sectional descriptive study including three hospital-at-home units in Finland. Adult, non-palliative patients (n = 27) and their family caregivers (n = 18) were interviewed pairwise by telephone, and the data analyzed with inductive thematic content analysis. COREQ guidelines were used to plan and guide the study design. Results concluded both patients and family caregivers seemed to have quite similar knowledge expectations, which only differs slightly from findings in other in- or outpatient contexts. In …