Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Evaluation Of Anxiety Following Substance Abuse Withdrawal And Assessment Of Somatic Treatments Presently Available With A Focus On Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation, Janet Hutchison

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Addictive disorders/substance use disorders (SUDS) affect almost everyone in the United States, either directly or indirectly. The cost of substance abuse to the social and economic structure in the United States is huge. Anxiety is one of the most frequently mentioned symptoms which lead to relapse during the early weeks of recovery due to neurohormonal changes in the limbic system as well as cortisol production which occur during this time. Present research in the treatment of anxiety in substance abuse and long term recovery is focused on genetics and pharmaceuticals, however most pharmaceuticals produce sedation. Additional therapies in early recovery, …

Preschool Attendance: A Parental And Teacher Perspective Of Barriers And Behaviors Using Grounded Theory Research, Anne Meoli

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Preschool children from single-parent households with lower socioeconomic status (SES) are absent from preschool at rates higher than any other group. Some children are chronically absent, missing more than 10% of the school year. The phenomenon of preschool attendance related to behaviors, practices, and parental decision making associated with health and illness in lower SES households has not been previously studied using grounded theory methodology. Aim: The purpose of this study was to explore decision making related to supporting attendance in a preschool of 67 children (aged 3 to 4 years) with primarily low-income, single parents and preschool teachers …

An Exploratory Inquiry And Creation Of Emergency Room Discharge Education Materials, Ivory Catalano

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background

Each Emergency Room (ER) across the USA provides every patient with paperwork upon discharge, which commonly includes information about the patient’s diagnosis. This information will briefly describe the condition, provide information on treatment outside the ER, and possibly more, depending on the document and source. These documents are not made by hospital staff, but are generally purchased from outside providers who mass market such documents as resources for hospitals to use to educate patients. One issue with these documents lies in their mass usage, which is not necessarily designed to target the general population’s reading and educational levels.

Purpose …

Nursing Management And Mirror Therapy For Phantom Limb Pain, Bridget Henry

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Phantom limb pain may occur after the accidental removal or surgical amputation of a limb. Phantom limb pain is the experience of pain in the limb that is no longer present. The clinical management of phantom limb pain is essential in the overall reduction of patient rehabilitation and poor patient outcomes. A patient’s degree of phantom limb pain is influenced by their personal response to loss and pain and can have devastating effects to a person’s social performance, occupational role, family role, relationships, and involvement in activities or hobbies. Like most chronic pain, phantom limb pain decreases the quality of …

Self-Efficacy And Coping In Transition Of Care After Remission Of Cancer In Adolescents, Leah M. Mcdonnell

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The improvement in cancer remission rates in children and adolescents due to advances in cancer treatment and therapy has led to the development of guidelines that address long-term follow up for survivors of childhood cancers. Adolescents often experience negative emotions related to the fear of uncertainty about long-term survival after cancer remission, yet often report feelings of hope and optimism for the future more than adult cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to understand the role of self-efficacy and coping in adolescents after remission of cancer. A secondary purpose was to analyze which coping strategies supported long-term survival …

Effects Of Probiotics On The Reduction In Incidence Of Necrotizing Enterocolitis In Premature (< 37 Weeks Gestation) Neonates, Makenzie Cox

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Problem: Necrotizing Enerocolitis (NEC) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), affecting 7% to 14% of premature neonates weighing less than 1500g (Lin et al., 2008). Healthcare costs for the treatment of NEC account for roughly 20% of the 5 billion dollars spent on infants in the NICU annually (Gephart, McGrath, Effken & Halpern, 2012). Nutritional supplements, such as probiotics, may be used prophylactically to prevent NEC in this high-risk population.

Objective: A literature review was performed to examine which strains of probiotics show the most potential in reducing the incidence …

The Synchronicity Of Hope And Enhanced Quality Of Life In Terminal Cancer, Brianna M. Terry

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of death worldwide. The rate of mortality is currently approximately 171.2 out of every 100,000 individuals with a terminal cancer diagnosis annually. Individuals with terminal cancer diagnoses facing probable mortality utilize various coping mechanisms or internal resources in an attempt to maintain an internal sense of well-being, commonly referred to as quality of life (QOL). The purpose of this literature review was to investigate themes prevalent in the literature pertaining to internal coping mechanisms and analyze any correlation or causation linking these resources to …

Pharmacogenomic Management Of Familial Hypercholesterolemia: An Integrative Review Of The Literature, Brian V. Skibo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to examine familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and emerging pharmacogenomics therapies that propose to lower serum low density lipid (LDL) levels. The search of various data bases resulted in nine research articles being selected for review. Syntheses of the articles suggest emerging phamacogenomic drug therapy can improve treatment outcomes for individuals with a diagnosis of FH. The Human Genome Project (HGP) has had far reaching applications for genomic technologies and pharmacagenomic interventions, tailored to human conditions associated with select genomic traits. Synthesis of nine research articles demonstrate that little is known on the topic and reveals …

Therapy Options For Winged Scapula Patients: A Literature Review, Samantha L. Normand

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Winged scapula is a condition characterized by lateral or medial protrusion of the scapula caused by nerve damage leading to muscular paralysis. The purpose of this systematic review of literature is to evaluate the current research literature related to the effectiveness of therapy options for winged scapula. Eleven peer reviewed English language research articles published from 1998 to present were included for evaluation. Study results revealed positive therapeutic outcomes for physical therapy and scapular bracing. Results also showed positive outcomes for the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and acupuncture for the treatment of nerve related conditions similar to winged …

Behavioral Interventions Versus Pharmaceutical Interventions To Reduce Preoperative Anxiety In School Aged Children, Jennifer J. Cline

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Surgical procedures that require general anesthesia can be stressful and create needless anxiety for school-age children. Interventions aimed at reducing preoperative anxiety can improve cooperation and enhance postoperative outcomes by lowering anxiety levels prior to induction of general anesthesia. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of behavioral interventions versus drug therapy in reducing pre-operative anxiety in children. The secondary purpose was to compare methods used to integrate anxiety reduction interventions into pre-operative care and to evaluate the most widely used and effective strategy for clinical practice. A literature review exploring behavioral based stress reduction interventions and …

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training In Management Of Postpartum Pelvic Floor Dysfunctions: A Literature Review, Rebecca S. Tanner

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Women can face a wide range of pelvic floor dysfunctions following pregnancy, ranging from urinary incontinence to pelvic pain. Unfortunately, these problems are not routinely checked for in postpartum check-ups and women do not always bring it to the physician’s attention. Strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles may be able to help women prevent these disorders and improve these women’s lifestyles.

The purpose of this thesis was to review and analyze different trials to determine if different pelvic floor dysfunctions (urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and pelvic girdle pain) can be treated using pelvic floor muscle training in the postpartum. After …

Recognizing Pain Using Novel Simulation Technology, Justin C. Grace

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Effective pain management and time to treatment is essential in patient care. Despite scientific evidence supporting the need to treat pain and an emphasis on addressing pain as a priority, pain management continues to be an unresolved issue. As a member of the health care team, nurses are integral to optimal pain management. Currently, nursing schools have limited innovative or alternative methods for teaching pain assessment and management. Simulation in nursing education provides a unique opportunity to expose students to realistic patient situations and allow them to learn and make mistakes without causing harm. However, modern low- and high-fidelity simulation …

Preventing Reincarceration Of Women With Mental Illness, Anne M. Dolmovich

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Since deinstitutionalization of state hospitals began almost 50 years ago, there has been an increase in the population with mental illness seen in the prison system. A combination of factors were looked at when studying causes behind incarceration, including active symptoms of mental illness, socioeconomic status, social support systems, history of trauma, history of drug abuse, police education on mental illness, and public perspective on mental illness. This study is a literature review focusing on people with mental illness in the prison system, with particular attention to women.

It is costly to house inmates for any extended period of time. …

The Effects Of Kangaroo Care On The Neurodevelopment Of Preterm Infants In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu), Tiffany Sarg

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Preterm birth disrupts the development of the brain and other critical organs of the infant body. Since the brain is one of the last organs to finish developing during pregnancy, the risk for substantial neurological deficits increases as the gestational age decreases. One way to combat these deficits is to reconnect the preterm infant with the mother via skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care (KC). This intimate touch helps to replicate aspects of the environment that the preterm infant experienced in utero. The purpose of this literature review was to analyze the current literature to better understand the effects …

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

Honors Undergraduate Theses

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

The Efficacy Of Non-Pharmacological Pain Management Methods Amongst Premature Neonates In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu), Hannah R. Martinez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study was to conduct an integrated review of the literature examining the use of non-pharmacologic pain management strategies in premature neonates and to explore the relationship between health outcomes and time to discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Non-pharmacologic pain management strategies include human touch, facilitated tucking, non-nutritive sucking, and kangaroo care. A systematic review of the literature was conducted from multiple online databases. Peer reviewed, English-language articles containing the keywords ‘pain management’, ‘neonatal intensive care unit’, and ‘non-pharmacologic’ were included for synthesis. Exclusion criteria included articles with a focus on infants not admitted …

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

Honors Undergraduate Theses

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

Intensive Care In Oncology: Admission And Outcomes In Adult Patients With Cancer, Surya John

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Historically, patients with cancer have been perceived as poor candidates for ICU admission. General ICU admission criteria lists cancer patients as low priority in ICU admission depriving them of the care they rightfully deserve. The purpose of this literary synthesis was to examine ICU admission criteria, risk factors, and outcomes of ICU admission in relation to hematological and solid tumor cancers and discuss ways that practitioners and nurses can educate patients with cancer and their families on appropriateness of ICU care.

Methods: A total of 768 articles were found in a literature search including all literature from 2005 to …

Technologies To Enhance Optimal Glycemic Control In Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes, Shannon L. Hassett

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background

People with type 1 diabetes make up approximately two million of the American population. Every day, these two million people struggle to fight this lifelong, sometimes life threatening disease. While type 1 diabetes currently has no cure, there are technologies that can make diabetes management more effective. This study surveyed the type 1 diabetes (T1D) young adult population aged 18-30, to evaluate what technologies and tools are most often associated with achieving optimal glycemic control (OGC).

Methodology

The instrument is a 35 question, investigator developed survey that is designed to measure how often a participant utilizes the technology identified …

Yoga's Effect On Quality Of Life In Breast Cancer Survivors, Nicole M. Licata

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the world with approximately 1.7 million new cases diagnosed in 2012. While women with breast cancer are treated with a multitude of different therapies, these treatments can lead to long-term effects that impact quality of life (i.e. fatigue, pain, lymphedema, anxiety, depression, osteoporosis). With more people looking into complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), research on yoga’s effect on quality of life in breast cancer survivors is vital.

Methods: This literature synthesis used PsychINFO, MEDLINE, and CINAHL explore current research on yoga’s effects on quality of life in breast cancer survivors. Search …

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

Honors Undergraduate Theses

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

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

Risk Factors In Women For Postpartum Depression Versus Postpartum Psychosis: An Integrative Literature Review, Briana Jamieson

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this literature review was to identify differentiating risk factors in women for postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. By understanding differentiating risk factors health care professionals, and nurses in particular, can be alert to women who are at higher risk for postpartum depression or postpartum psychosis. This information allows for early nursing intervention and the development of appropriate treatment plans. Fifteen peer-reviewed, English language research articles published between 2000 and 2015 were analyzed for the purpose of this literature review. Study results were inconclusive for the intention of this review, but do provide valuable information on independent risk …

Participant's Perception Of Realism And Pediatric Pain Assessment Utilizing A Virtual Patient: A Pilot Study, Alexandra Carson

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The use of simulation in curriculum affords students with the opportunity to enhance clinical skills in a safe environment. However, certain aspects of patient assessment are difficult to reproduce in current simulators, such as changes in facial expressions. Facial expressions are of particular importance when assessing for the presence and severity of pain in the pediatric population. Inconsistencies found in accurate identification of pain suggest the necessity of improved pain assessment training. This study evaluated nursing student’s perceptions of a virtual patient designed to realistically display varying levels of pain in the pediatric patient. Additional purposes of this study were …

Exploring The Art Of Nursing And Its Influence On Patient Satisfaction In Acute Care Settings, Enid Tirado

Honors Undergraduate Theses

‎Nursing is a trusted profession aimed at delivering quality, patient-centered care perceived by patients as caring and satisfactory. While empiric care components are measurable as associated with clinical outcomes, patients’ perceptions of care are increasingly important in determining satisfaction with the patient care experience. Not clearly defined, nor empirically measurable, the “art” of nursing is taking on increasing importance as a component of satisfaction with the patient experience. The purpose of this integrative literature review was to review the literature in order to find common themes influencing determination of the art of nursing on patient satisfaction in acute care settings. …

The Effect Of Alternative Labor Positions Versus The Lithotomy Position On Birthing Outcomes: An Integrative Literature Review, Kelsey Gaffka

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Traditionally, the lithotomy position is the most commonly used birthing position in western cultures. The purpose of this literature review was to examine the differences in maternal and neonatal outcomes when alternative labor positions are used. Implications for future use of alternative labor positions were explored. Peer reviewed, English-language research articles published from 2009 to 2015 were included for synthesis. Study results revealed that the lithotomy position is linked to multiple negative maternal outcomes. Birthing in a water pool or in a lateral position has been linked to more optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes compared to other positions. Health care …

Dosing Accuracy When Administering Oral Medications, Chelsea Hughes

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Inaccurate dosing of children’s liquid medication is a major problem that causes adverse effects for children every year. In order to prevent these errors, education for at risk parents is essential. A survey and observational study was done in order to identify parents/caregivers who make dosing errors when measuring out liquid medication for their children. A total of 25 parents/caregivers with children admitted to Arnold Palmer Hospital were included in this study. Study participants completed a survey that included demographic data as well as parenting experience. The parents were directly observed measuring a dose of corn syrup using Children’s liquid …

Perceived Readiness To Transition To Adult Health Care For Youth With Cystic Fibrosis And Congruence With Their Caregivers' Views, Valerie Lapp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Youth with cystic fibrosis must gradually assume considerable self-care management skills in order to optimize longevity and quality of life, and healthcare providers and caregivers play a role in youth gradually assuming these skills. The purpose of this study was to determine how youth with cystic fibrosis perceive their self-care management skills required for transition to adult healthcare, the relationship between age and skill acquisition, youth and caregiver congruence on perceived transition readiness, and frequency of transition discussion with provider. In this descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional design, 58 youth ages 14-22 rated their skill ability in managing cystic fibrosis using the …

Evaluating Moral Distress, Moral Distress Residue And Moral Courage In Oncology Nurses, Lolita Melhado

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To examine relationships between moral distress, moral distress residue, and moral courage and to determine which nurse characteristics are predictive of moral distress and moral courage. Methods: The study used a mixed methods cross-sectional correlation design and qualitative content analysis to investigate oncology nurses' characteristics and relationships between moral distress, moral distress residue, and moral courage. A convenience sample of 187 oncology nurses working in inpatient and outpatient settings was recruited through the national Oncology Nursing Society in the Southeastern United States. Hamric's 21-item Moral Distress Scale-Revised (MDS-R) and Sekerka et al. 15-item Professional Moral Courage Scale (PMCS) supplemented …

Prehabilitation (Prehab): Prevention In Motion, Billie Russell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for U.S. adults. It adds greater than $100 billion to U.S. health care costs annually. Rates of morbidity, mortality, and economic burden of the disease could be dramatically reduced with improvements in sedentary behaviors among adults with coronary artery disease (CAD). A regular commitment to moderate physical activity can reduce ischemic heart events up to 50%. Although the benefits of physical activity are well-known for individuals with coronary artery disease, an estimated 70% of this population remains relatively sedentary. Hospital-based cardiac rehabilitation programs are the single secondary prevention option offered to improve …

Music Therapy As An Intervention To Reduce Anxiety In Mechanically-Ventilated Patients, Stephanie L. Levine

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Patients receiving mechanical ventilation endure high levels of stress and anxiety due to the invasiveness of the procedure. These critically ill patients are often uncomfortable as a result of their serious conditions and the high-intensity environments in which they are placed. Health care workers heavily sedate these patients to minimize pain and induce a state of relaxation. However, sedatives are known for their wide-ranging, and often deleterious, side effects. Music therapy is an intervention that has been studied in a variety of hospital settings to determine any potential beneficial effects on patients. Many studies have demonstrated a relationship between music …