Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Health Promotion Behavior Among Hypertensive And Normotensive Armenian Americans, Zoya Minasyan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Hypertension presents a significant health risk to both developed and developing countries, affecting approximately 78 million Americans of various ethnic backgrounds. Though a great deal of research about hypertension and minority groups has been published, few studies have examined hypertension in the Armenian American population in the Los Angeles area, one of the most concentrated Armenian American communities in the United States. The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in health promotion behavior between hypertensive and normotensive Armenian Americans. The theoretical basis for this study was Pender's health promotion model and the health promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP-II), …

Perceptions Of Childhood Obesity Among African Americans In A Low-Income Community, Cotella Wilkes Wilkes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity is a prevalent chronic condition affecting millions of children and adolescents in the United States and is rising in record-breaking numbers among African Americans in low-income communities. Guided by the social cognitive theory, the purpose of this evidence-based project was to understand the impact of an educational intervention on parents' perceptions of childhood obesity risk factors, weight status, and prevention strategies in a rural South Carolina community. A convenience sample of parents who attended a church-based community health promotion service in a low-income area (n = 10), aged 28 to 54, completed The Childhood Obesity Perceptions survey before …

Pain Management In Patients With Fibromyalgia, Linsey Fischer

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Fibromyalgia is a chronic widespread pain disorder that can also cause fatigue, depression, sleep disturbances, and cognitive symptoms. Because the etiology of fibromyalgia is unknown, it is difficult to treat. Research shows that medication alone is insufficient to treat the symptoms of fibromyalgia and that complementary therapies are required to fully manage this disorder. The purpose of this research was to determine what complementary therapies patients with fibromyalgia were currently using. The sample for the survey was taken from fibromyalgia support groups throughout the state of Florida. A total of 15 people diagnosed with fibromyalgia participated in the survey. The …

Associations Between Pre-Pregnancy Weight Status And/Or Gestational Weight Gain And Obesity In Older Children, Marisa P. Hammond

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Childhood obesity is a global health concern that puts children at risk for developing serious health complications. With increasing rates worldwide, it is important to determine how to decrease its prevalence and promote prevention in future generations. Emerging evidence indicating that pre-pregnancy weight status and/or gestational weight gain (GWG) may be linked with overweight/obesity in children. Much of this body of research focused on weight status of offspring at birth and at preschool age. The purpose of this study is to: (1) analyze the research findings regarding obesity in children 5 to 18 years and their mother’s pre-pregnancy weight status …

Nurse Perceived Barriers To Effective Nurse-Client Communication, Sara J. Brandenburg

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Successful client care depends on effective nurse-client communication. It is essential in meeting clients' needs, providing quality care, and maximizing positive client outcomes. The intent of this thesis was to explore nurse perceived barriers to effective nurse-client communication. A literature review was conducted and nine articles were identified as addressing nurse perceived barriers to communication. Four major barriers were identified: nurse comfort and knowledge, environment, time, and culture and language. Research on interventions to address nurses' perceptions of barriers to effective nurse-client communication may provide a better understanding of communication barriers and address issues created by ineffective communication with clients.

The Use Of Herbal Supplements On Minimizing The Clinical Manifestations Of Alzheimer's Disease, Delayna L. Donohue

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects over 5 million individuals in the United States annually. By the year 2050, the number of individuals living with AD is projected to triple (Latest Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures, 2016). Although there is no cure for AD, there are many prescriptive pharmacologic agents used to help manage the clinical manifestations of the disease. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) and herbal supplements are also used in the treatment of AD, however indications for their use and effectiveness during the progression of AD have not been examined. The purpose of this study was to examine the use of …

Exploring The Relationship Between Symptom Management And Distress In Pediatric Oncology Nurses, Amanda M. Schultz

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Pediatric oncology is known to be a stressful work environment due to the difficult aspects regarding patient care. This known stress related to work and caring for pediatric oncology patients can negatively impact nurses, patients, and families. The purpose of this study is to examine: relationships between patient symptom management and nurse distress; strategies used by nurses to manage symptoms in pediatric patients with cancer; nurse perceptions of the effectiveness of non-pharmacologic or nursing interventions; and nurse distress related to managing symptoms in pediatric patients with cancer. Registered nurses (N=13) at a local children’s hospital participated in an online survey. …

Cultural Practices Of Rearing Preterm Infants: A Qualitative Study In A Tertiary Care Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, Salima Sulaiman Gulamani, Ambreen Tharani, Sharifa Bashir Lalani, Kiran Shaikh

School of Nursing & Midwifery

The research work explores the cultural practices of feeding and hygiene of preterm infants in the Pakistani context. A Qualitative descriptive-exploratory design has been used. Purposive sampling was utilized to recruit 17 mothers, who met inclusion criteria from a largest government tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. The semi-structured interview was used to collect the data, which lasted for approximately 45-60 minutes. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the key findings of the study. Welcoming newborn with 'honey' and herbal remedies were reported as a common ritual among mothers. Findings revealed differences in the time period of initial bath given …

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 …

Targeted Educational Interventions To Increase Knowledge And Influence Attitudes About Nutritional Concepts In School-Aged Children, Chelsea Weaks, Ashley Montoya, Angela Nelson, Shivanee Sathia, Rachael Evans, Jessica Siechman, Caroline Crilley

OUR Journal: ODU Undergraduate Research Journal

Good nutritional habits have been linked to increased overall health and wellness, therefore working with children has the greatest impact on their overall lifestyle and lifelong habits. Nutritional interventions decrease the risk of future health complications that can result in premature death. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge base of school-aged children sampled from an existing after-school nutrition education program and measure the efficacy of an additional two-step intervention. Our two-step intervention includes a content knowledge educational intervention on day one and a play-based learning intervention on day two to allow for knowledge acquisition and subsequent application of knowledge …

Health-Promoting Behaviors, Hope, And Health-Related Quality Of Life In Persons Impacted By Parkinson’S Disease, Amy K. Forbes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship between hope, health-promoting behaviors, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in persons with Parkinson’s disease.
Background: The incidence of Parkinson’s disease is high in Midwest and Northeast regions of the United States. Parkinson’s disease affects motor and non-motor symptoms and has a variety of complications. Parkinson’s disease is related to genetic and environmental factors. HRQOL decreases in Parkinson’s disease; thus, the effect of hope and health-promoting behaviors on health is crucial as the disease advances.
Methods: A descriptive correlational design was used to guide the study. A convenience sample …

Assessment Of An Intervention To Improve Clinical Inertia In Patients With Uncontrolled Hypertension In A Primary Care Setting, Alyssa M. Sutton

DNP Projects

Purpose: A quality improvement project was undertaken in an internal medicine clinic to evaluate provider adherence with the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8) hypertension (HTN) medication management guidelines for adult patients diagnosed with HTN, evaluate characteristics associated with clinical inertia (CI) in patients with uncontrolled HTN, and evaluate the utility of a brief educational intervention to decrease CI.

Methods: The project used the plan-do-study-act method to assess JNC 8 prescribing guideline adherence by consenting providers. Medical records were randomly selected from patients with HTN seen at provider visits 10 days before (January 31-February 13, 2017) and 10 days after …

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.

A Comparative Study Of Cde Utilization Rates And Hospital Admissions For Foot Ulcerations Between Two Hospitals, Amber Toombs

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

One of the nine standards of diabetes self-management education declares that education should be performed by an instructor with expertise in diabetes education and management or a certified diabetes educator (CDE). The purpose of the study is to measure the prevalence of referrals to CDEs upon discharge for patients admitted with diabetic foot ulcers compared between two hospital populations, Baptist Hospital in Memphis, TN and NEA Baptist in Jonesboro, AR. Data was collected and reviewed to identify the number of patients who received a referral upon discharge and readmissions rates for these patients. Eighty-six patients were included in the study. …

A Clinical Practice Guideline To Reduce Behavioral Outbursts In Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Mary Adejumoke Badru

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital on the East Coast of the United States, behavioral outbursts result in 2 out of 10 veterans dismissed from a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) unit prior to completing the 6-week program. The purpose of this evidence-based quality improvement project was to create a clinical practice guideline (CPG) based on social cognitive theory (SCT) to provide new strategies for managing veterans with PTSD and to improve the confidence of the nurses in managing outbursts. The Star Model guided the project development with the Delphi method to achieve participant consensus, the AGREE II to assess …

Nurse Practitioners' Guide On Consumption Of Hundred Percent Fruit Juice By Children, Monisola Adeyemo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood obesity has reached an epidemic level in the United States, growing exponentially and posing a great risk to the current and future health of the American people. The trend of increasing incidence of overweight and obesity in children has been occurring for decades; there is a need for multimodal preventative solutions to control the rate of growth. Sufficient evidence has shown a correlation between the feeding of 100% fruit juice to infants as dietary supplements and childhood obesity. Therefore, the purpose of this project was development of a guideline for 100% fruit juice feeding in children that is adaptable …

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 …

Best Practice For Screening Adult Patients With Psoriasis For Polyautoimmunity: Celiac Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis And Crohn’S Disease, Susan Danielle Ashbaugh

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to determine if screening primary care patients with psoriasis will improve early detection of celiac disease (CD), rheumatoid arthritis, and Crohn’s disease (CrD). The aim of this project is to assess the utility of early screening in patients with psoriasis in order to facilitate earlier diagnosis of CD, RA and CrD, which would consequently initiate earlier treatment and improve long-term patient outcomes. Genetic and population-based studies suggest that individuals with psoriasis have a greater risk of also having CrD, CD or RA, than do individuals without psoriasis. The literature also suggests that …

Losing Weight With Five A’S (5 A’S): Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist, Arrange Framework And Motivational Interviewing (Mi) For Health Behavior Change Counseling, Jacqueline Baer

Theses and Dissertations

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity has reached epidemic levels and has associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality rates. The increasing prevalence of obesity is a major public health concern. Researchers calculate that health care costs are 44% higher among moderately and severely obese older persons than for persons at normal weights. Seventy-five percent of African American (AA) women are overweight and obese according to data from the CDC and The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America. Compared to any other racial ethnic group, AA women are more likely to …

Picturing Rest: A Photovoice Study Of African American Women’S Perceptions And Practices Of Rest, Eboni T. Herbert Harris

Theses and Dissertations

African American women are consistently identified as being less likely to participate in sustained leisure time physical activity (Tussing-Humphreys, Fitzgibbon, Kong, & Odoms-young, 2013), yet more likely to be overweight or obese (Levi, Segal, Laurent, & Rayburn, 2014). There has been a wide range of initiatives directed towards preventing and/or reducing obesity among African Americans, such as targeted physical activity and nutrition interventions involving goal setting, group and individualized counseling, and social support. Previous research focused on African American women’s perceptions toward physical activity, nutrition, and weight; emphasize the consideration of cultural attitudes like placing a high value on rest …

The Effect Of Alcohol Prep Pads And Blood Drop Number On Capillary Blood Glucose Values, Joanna E. Foos

Honors Theses and Capstones

Capillary blood glucose monitoring is a common nursing procedure. However, no consensus exists regarding which drop of blood to test (drop 1 vs. drop 2) and whether using alcohol pads to prepare the fingertip affects blood glucose values. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of these factors and contribute to the development of evidence-based nursing protocols for capillary blood glucose monitoring. A quantitative, quasi-experimental study was conducted in a laboratory at the University of New Hampshire. 96 volunteers were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Each group underwent a pair of capillary blood glucose tests …

Does Intensive Behavioral Therapy Result In Greater Weight Loss Among Patients With Obesity At A 12-Week Interval, Angela Jones

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Purpose: To examine the efficacy of Intensive Behavioral Therapy (IBT) in adult, obese patients at a 3-month interval conceptually consistent with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) measures of 6.6 pounds in six months as determinant of weight loss success. Method: A convenience sample of 42 patients in the NEA Baptist Weight Management Program with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or greater and active participation in the program for a minimum of 12 weeks. Patients pregnant, currently treated for cancer, or other body surface restricting conditions were excluded. Active participation entailed face-to-face visits with APRN, nurse weigh-ins, weekly group …

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 …

Development And Validation Of An Adult Diet And Physical Activity Program In Primary Care Setting, Christiana Chinyere Keke-Ekekwe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Obesity is a national health problem with serious medical, psychological, and economic outcomes. Nurses and nurse practitioners (NPs) are frequently the first point of patient contact and play an essential role in the management of obesity. The current literature noted that practitioners working in primary care settings demonstrate inadequate knowledge related to evidence based practice (EBP) strategies to treat obesity, including diet modification and physical activity. The purpose of this DNP project was to develop and validate an EBP provider educational module related to diet modification and physical activity education for adult patients diagnosed with obesity in a primary care …

Parents Of Children Who Had Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Mixed-Methods, Exploratory Study, Natalene Kramer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: There is scant literature addressing the parents of children who had hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). therefore only inferences may be made as to issues of that experience affecting parents.

Purpose: The purposes of this study was to uncover the lived experiences of parents of children who had HIE, evaluate issues of stress, depression, coping, and impact of neurologic disability in order to better care for them and thus their families

Methods: A parallel, convergent mixed-methods design was used to explore experiences and perceptions of these parents regarding their experiences and life changes. The quantitative strand addressed four research questions which …

Most Likely To Succeed: The Exploration Of Factors Affecting Successful Completion Of A Practical Nursing Program, Jennifer J. Shoemake

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

In the realm of higher education, retention is a concept vital to the progression and security of all institutions. This remains true for all nursing programs as well because reports have shown an attrition rate as high as 50% in some nursing programs across the globe. Along with the nursing shortage projected in the next 20 years, retention in nursing programs poses a massive problem for not just higher education but healthcare as well. Therefore, it is important for nursing educators to understand the factors affecting student completion of a nursing program.

This two-phase, mixed-methods study sought to answer the …

The Benefits And Concerns Of Veganism In Women's Health, Elisa R. Hester

Senior Honors Theses

There are many health benefits of consuming a vegan diet. It is associated with a decreased incidence of obesity, cardiovascular disease, type two diabetes, and a variety of cancers. Despite its numerous benefits, there are several concerns for consumers of a vegan diet, including nutrient deficiency and cardiovascular risk associated with consumption of coconut oil. However, many nutrients of highest concern, such as calcium and protein, are not needed in as high amounts as is commonly believed and recommended. Moreover, it is possible for vegans to obtain adequate nutrition with proper education despite restriction of animal products. Coconut oil consumption …

ประสบการณ์การฟื้นหายของผู้ป่วยโรคซึมเศร้าที่ได้รับการวินิจฉัยครั้งแรก, ภานุมาศ จิตสงบ

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

การวิจัยเชิงคุณภาพแบบปรากฏการณ์วิทยาครั้งนี้มีวัตถุประสงค์เพื่ออธิบายประสบการณ์การฟื้นหายของผู้ป่วยโรคซึมเศร้าที่ได้รับการวินิจฉัยครั้งแรก ผู้ให้ข้อมูลเป็นผู้ป่วยโรคซึมเศร้าทั้งเพศหญิงและชาย วัยผู้ใหญ่ที่ได้รับการวินิจฉัยครั้งแรกและมีการฟื้นหายจากโรคซึมเศร้า จำนวน 13 ราย ได้รับการคัดเลือกแบบเฉพาะเจาะจงตามเกณฑ์คุณสมบัติ จากนั้นทำการสัมภาษณ์แบบเจาะลึก จนได้ข้อมูลที่มีความอิ่มตัว ใช้ระยะเวลาในการสัมภาษณ์ครั้งละ 30-90 นาที และทำการวิเคราะห์ข้อมูลที่ได้ตามแบบของโคไลซี ผลการวิจัยพบว่า ผู้ป่วยโรคซึมเศร้าที่ได้รับการวินิจฉัยครั้งแรกได้ให้ความหมายของประสบการณ์การฟื้นหาย คือ การกลับมาดำเนินชีวิตได้เหมือนเดิม ส่วนประสบการณ์การฟื้นหายแบ่งเป็น 4 ประเด็นหลัก คือ 1) ยอมรับและเข้าใจว่าป่วย 2) ปรับเปลี่ยนความคิดและพฤติกรรม 3) กำลังใจเป็นสิ่งมีค่าและสำคัญ และ 4) กลับมาทำบทบาทและหน้าที่ต่างๆ ในชีวิตได้ตามปกติ ผลการวิจัยครั้งนี้สามารถนําข้อมูลสำคัญที่ได้มาประยุกต์ใช้เป็นความรู้พื้นฐานสำหรับพยาบาลและทีมสุขภาพในการกำหนดแนวทางการพยาบาลสุขภาพจิตและจิตเวช การพัฒนาการบำบัดรักษาผู้ป่วยโรคซึมเศร้า อีกทั้งยังได้องค์ความรู้เกี่ยวกับการฟื้นหายจากโรคซึมเศร้าในบริบทของสังคมไทยตามประสบการณ์ที่เกิดขึ้นของผู้ป่วยโรคซึมเศร้าอย่างแท้จริง อันจะเป็นข้อมูลพื้นฐานแก่ครอบครัวและชุมชนได้มีความเข้าใจถึงปัจจัยสำคัญของบทบาทของครอบครัวที่มีส่วนในการช่วยให้ผู้ป่วยสามารถเข้าสู่การฟื้นหายจากโรคซึมเศร้าได้

Global Perinatal Nursing Research: Sustainable Development Goals Update, Lynn Clark Callister, Cheryl A. Corbett

Faculty Publications

Global health experts suggest that there is an urgent need for research supporting healthcare for childbearing women that is both respectful and evidence-based beyond “too little, too late and too much too soon.” The purpose of this editorial is to describe global perinatal research priorities, provide examples of global collaborative networking and research, identify global perinatal nursing research priorities, and describe exemplary global maternal health nursing research.