Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Factors Influencing Nurse Practitioners' Weight Management Practices In Primary Care, Suzanne Hyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

More American adults are overweight or obese than ever before. Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a critical and expanding role in primary care, which is an ideal setting for the assessment and management of weight loss. NPs can make a significant contribution to tackling the obesity crisis. The study presented here seeks to close the gap in data related to how NPs approach weight management with their primary care patients. This study focused on a comprehensive examination of the current practice patterns of NPs related to weight management, a theoretical concept analysis of weight bias among healthcare providers, along with the …

Factors Contributing To The Negative And Unhealthy Psychological Conditions In The Ed Rn, Ariana M. Nieves

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The emergency department is a stressful environment. Emergency department registered nurses (ED RNs) are at an increased risk of development of negative and unhealthy psychological conditions due to their frequent exposure to stress and traumatic events. These conditions include post-traumatic stress disorder, compassion fatigue, and burnout syndrome, which are already known to be common in the emergency department registered nurse population. It is important to understand the factors that influence the development of these psychological conditions in order to provide better education to nurses regarding prevention of the development of these psychological conditions. This literature review aimed to identify articles …

The Effect Of Nursing Interventions And Health Promotion On Childhood Obesity: A Literature Review, Grace N. Mageloff

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the United States that has short-term and long-term health consequences for the children affected. Nurses are patient advocates and are responsible for speaking up for the patient; in the pediatric population, a nurse must act as an advocate on behalf of the child. The purpose of this literature review is to look at different barriers to nursing interventions in regard to childhood obesity. A literature review was done by using different databases, with 11 articles having similar themes and interventions used. The main themes from the literature review were parental willingness and involvement …

Barriers And Facilitators To Accessing And Utilizing Mental Health Services For Homeless Youth: A Systematic Review, Abbygail P. Lapinski

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Homelessness in the youth population is associated with elevated rates of mental illness, substance abuse, and suicidality compared to the housed population in the United States (Berdahl, Hoyt, and Whitbeck, 2005; Hodgson, Shelton, Van den Bree, 2014; Hughes et al., 2010). With a survival-focused perspective, exacerbating issues, stigmatization, and transience housing; homeless youth require special consideration to meet their diverse health needs. When barriers impede homeless youth's access to necessary health resources, their health concerns are left untreated and impound until emergency services are required. This review of literature is focused on identifying and synthesizing barriers and facilitators for homeless …

Assessing The Impact Of Digital Health Technologies On Maternal Health Care In Sub-Saharan Africa, Samerawit Tadele

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Maternal morbidity and mortality are prevalent issues worldwide that profoundly affects low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in Africa. Estimates vary, but by the end of 2015, at least 300,000 women died in LMICs due to preventable pregnancy and childbirth conditions. Pregnant women die from complications that could be detected and managed if they were able to receive early access to necessary health interventions. Mobile technology is increasingly common across the globe, including LMICs, and incorporating digital health technologies, especially mobile phone (mHealth) programs, can offer a possible solution to morbidity and mortality related to pregnancy. A literature review analyzing the …

The Efficacy Of Meditation-Based Treatments In Relapse Prevention For Persons With Substance Use Disorders, Florence C. Bates

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Substance abuse is a global problem that has contributed to a variety of societal, financial, health, and familial strains. An increasing prevalence of illicit drug, prescription opioids, and alcohol abuse has created a need for re-evaluation of recovery and relapse treatments. This literature review examines the efficacy of meditation-based treatments for relapse prevention in persons recovering from Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). A comparative analysis of Mindfulness Based Relapse Programs (MBRP), an adapted MBRP-W program, and a Transcendental Meditation (TM) intervention was used to examine the success of meditation-based interventions. Research supports improvements associated with the meditation-based interventions including significant reductions …

Fear Of Falling Assessment And Interventions In Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Mixed Methods Case Study, Amanda S. Cappleman

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Fear of falling has significant adverse physical and psychological effects for the community-dwelling older adult. Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults and explore participant perceptions of fear of falling assessments and interventions. Methods: A mixed methods case study was utilized to gain an in-depth understanding of older adults' perceptions. It consisted of quantitative data collection by objective measures and qualitative data collection by four individual in-depth interviews. A sample of four community-dwelling adults aged 65 years and older and living in Orlando, Florida, completed the study in their home …

Fall Risk Assessment In Community- Dwelling Older Adults: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study, Maryann Dool

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Abstract

Aims: 1) To determine fall risk assessment using subjective and objective measures; 2) To understand older adults' perception on fall risk assessment.

Methodology: An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was used and consisted of two phases. Phase 1, the quantitative data was collected from nineteen older adults at an independent living facility in Orlando, Florida. Phase 2, the qualitative data was collected from three participants of Phase 1. After obtaining Institutional Review Board approval, the study was conducted at Lutheran Towers an independent living facility located in the downtown area of Orlando, Florida. Three measurement tools were used: demographic …

Sepsis Knowledge In Undergraduate Nursing Students, Kelsey E. Tilton

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Sepsis is the most common cause of death in critically ill patients in settings other than cardiovascular intensive care units (ICUs). Research shows that early detection is the best way to prevent sepsis progression and improve patient outcomes. Nurses can play a critical role in the treatment of sepsis using their knowledge and resources to detect the presence of sepsis at the earliest possible point in the progression of the syndrome. Baccalaureate nursing students were surveyed to assess students' beliefs and knowledge of sepsis and to examine the gaps in students' abilities to identify sepsis. Methodology: An …

Exploring Stress Management And Coping Mechanisms In Parents Of Infants In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu), Samantha E. Day

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study was to conduct a literature review that examined parental coping mechanisms and stress relief techniques for parents of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A search was conducted using multiples databases using key terms such as stress AND coping, parent* OR caregiver, ped* OR child*, support* or aid, NICU OR neonatal intensive care unit, and nurs*. The results were limited to scholarly, peer reviewed journals in the English language. Exclusion criteria included not relating to parents or caregivers and mechanisms of coping with stress or if they pertain to palliative or end-of-life …

Effects Of A Plant-Based Vegan Diet On The Risk Of Cancer: An Integrative Review Of The Literature, Chelsie M. Silavent

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cancer, an aggressive chronic disease, impacts the lives of millions of people every day. There are numerous proposed triggers related to the diagnosis and much remains to be learned about the causes. Associated with this disease's variability is the challenge to identify a single causative agent that lead to its prevention. Specific topics that need additional evidence relate to environmental factors and lifestyle behaviors in the development, treatment and, in some instances, even suppression of disease progression. Specifically, a diet that excludes animal-based products but consists of a variety of fruits and vegetables (i.e., plant-based vegan diet) is reported to …

Womens Perception Of Their Childbirth Expereinces: An Integrated Literature Review, Nancy M. Farmer

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Pregnancy and childbirth are a unique and sacred time in many womens' lives and the process of giving birth often leaves women and families in a vulnerable position.

This integrated literature review examined birthing experiences from the maternal perspective and focused on the short-term and long-term implications of negatively perceived maternal experiences. While there are several international studies, only a few have been published studies from the United States.

The integrated review showed a significant impact of provider-client communication and shared decision making on a woman's overall perception of her birthing experience. Reports of excess intervention, lack of informed consent, …

Exploring Environmental Heat Injuries In The Pediatric Population, Jennifer Bowman

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Children are considered a vulnerable population in society. While thermoregulation in children is similar to that of an adult, children are vulnerable to heat-related illness. Student athletes have been found to be particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness for numerous reasons, including intense outdoor play. Football players are perhaps the most at-risk population of student athletes due to the intense physical requirements, outdoor practice during the hottest months of the year, and the extensive protective equipment required. By conducting a literature review on the subject of pediatric heat illness, the purpose of this thesis is to explore evidenced based research and …

Autologous Skin Cell Spray-Transplantation As An Innovative Alternative To Autologous Split- Thickness Skin Grafts For Deep Partial Thickness Burn Wounds: An Integrative Literature Review, Alexandria M. Beaudet

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Burn wounds tend to be a critical problem with a complicated healing process. Although advancements have been made and the treatment of burn wounds has improved significantly, the healing process for deep-partial thickness burn wounds remains problematic. The purpose of this thesis is to review the available literature on an innovate biotechnology, autologous skin cell-spray transplantation, to more effectively treat burn wounds and potentially other injuries in the future. This study was conducted by critically researching and comparing (N=7) peer-reviewed research articles focusing not only on burn wounds using traditional treatments, but also the treatment of burn wounds using revolutionary …

Use Of Video-Enhanced Debriefing In Clinical Nursing Skill Acquisition: Indwelling Urinary Catheterization As An Exemplar, Erica Hoyt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Nursing students struggle to acquire and maintain clinical psychomotor skills. Hiring agencies bear the cost of retraining graduate nurses inept with skills learned early in their nursing curriculum. Improperly performed clinical skills pose a risk to patient safety, resulting in pain and suffering for the patient. This empirical study aimed to determine if video-enhanced debriefing (VED) improved initial skill validation scores, skill feedback, satisfaction with learning, and reduced skill decay among first-semester, pre-licensure BSN students performing female indwelling urinary catheterization (IUC) in a simulated clinical setting compared to no debriefing. Participants received standard instruction, then video-recorded their IUC skill. Participants …

Stress, Coping, And Quality Of Life Among Parental Caregivers Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dawn Turnage

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Parental caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are exposed to stressors associated with the daily care of raising a child with a developmental disability, which may negatively impact parental quality of life (QOL). The specific aim of this study was to examine the relationships between demographic factors, stress, and coping among parental caregivers of children with ASD to determine whether predictors of QOL exist. Methodology: This study was descriptive, and an electronic survey was distributed to Florida parents of children, age 3-21 years old, diagnosed with ASD. The survey measured parent reported demographic factors, severity of the …

Evaluation Of Postoperative Air Leak And Chest Tube Drainage Systems After Pulmonary Resection, Kristina Jacobsen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Postoperative air leaks are the most common complication after a pulmonary resection. There is no data in the literature comparing the traditional and digital chest drainage system after a robotic-assisted pulmonary lobectomy. In 182 eligible patients, this retrospective study evaluated the association between digital and traditional drainage systems with postoperative chest tube days, hospital length of stay, chest tube reinsertion during hospitalization, and 30-day readmission for pneumothorax following a robotic-assisted lobectomy. The groups did not differ significantly in terms of age, gender, BMI, smoking, adhesions or neoadjuvant therapy. Patients with the digital drainage system had a mean chest tube duration …

Evaluating Interventions To Mitigate Compassion Fatigue Among At-Risk Nursing Populations, Emily R. Derayunan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis examined the experience of compassion fatigue in nurses through analysis of research studies conducted within the past ten years. A literature review was completed using CINAHL Plus with Full Text, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO databases. Efficacy of current management strategies and interventions was evaluated. Findings indicate that educating nurses working in high-risk units improves self-recognition and lowers compassion fatigue levels. Institutional factors such as a lack of managerial support and organizational commitment contribute to the experience of compassion fatigue. An organization's involvement in maximizing compassion satisfaction through meaningful recognition of nurses' contributions to care and implementation of organizational prevention …

Alpha Amylase As An Emerging Biomarker Of Microaspiration In Mechanically Ventilated Patients: An Integrative Review Of The Literature, Chloe Chase

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Aims: The purpose of this thesis was to synthesize the current literature on alpha amylase as an emerging biomarker of microaspiration in mechanically ventilated patient.

Methods: The methodology included a review and synthesis of pertinent research articles from 1981-2018, written in English language. Criteria for inclusion in the review were all articles that evaluated α- amylase in tracheal secretions or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) as a diagnostic tool for identifying microaspiration. The search yielded 11 studies that were reviewed.

Findings: The findings suggest that once aspiration occurs, the duration of α-amylase in the lungs requires further exploration to assist in …

Secondary Victimization Of Young Adult Female Sexual Assault Victims, Kristin M. Hunter

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The response of community members and public institutions to the crimes of rape and sexual assault have been, historically, disappointing. Victims have felt forced into silence, ashamed to speak out about their experiences. More recently, with the rise of social media use and the #me-too movement, attention and interest has been garnered for this unique class of crimes and victims. It has been discovered that victims of sexual assault who report their assault to community members, police investigators, and health care workers are at risk of secondary victimization. This is a series of attitudes, behaviors, and practices that retraumatizes, shames, …

The Psychosocial Effects Of Solid Organ Transplantation On Living Donors: A Literature Review, Christopher G. Evans

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Historically the source for most organ donations were from the cadavers of deceased donors. Over time living organ donation has become an important way to address the shortage of organ availability. The purpose of this literature review is to explore the psychosocial effect the organ donation process has on the living donor. The body's physiological response to organ donation had been well documented. However, the psychosocial effect of donation is now being more appreciated and studies are being done to try to elucidate the factors that can influence the living donor's response to the transplant pro The ultimate goal of …

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender (Lgbt) Healthcare In Rural Settings: An Integrative Review Of The Literature, Caitlin Cox

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community is a unique population that has specific health issues and health care needs associated with lifestyle behaviors that increase risk for certain diseases. Health concerns include mental and behavioral health, issues associated with gender identity and relationships (i.e. intimate partner violence), sexually transmitted infections, and chronic illnesses. The research suggests poorer health outcomes for the LGBT population compared to heterosexual and/or cisgender counterparts. Most research conducted with LGBT populations occurred in more populated urban settings with very few studies focusing on this population in the rural context. Consequently, there is a paucity …

Understanding The Healthcare Experiences Of Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals (Daca) Recipients, Jacob A. Kluesener

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: There is limited research on the healthcare experience of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients both before and after enrollment in the program. DACA is a program designed to defer deportation to children and young adults in the United States for up to 2 years. The goal of this qualitative study is to explore the lived experiences of DACA students with regards to access to healthcare and perceptions of treatment. Method: This study is qualitative and uses a phenomenological approach. DACA Recipients (N = 5) were recruited from the UCF student population and 1:1 interviews were conducted. Interviews …

Nursing Interventions For Intradialtyic Hypotension: Using Blood Volume Monitoring Guided Ultrafiltration, Suzette S. Cedeno

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Intradialytic hypotension is a potential complication experienced by patients with end-stage renal disease who receive hemodialysis. This complication occurs during the dialysis treatment in 15-30% of all treatments. The multiple comorbidities that exist in hemodialysis patients predispose them to recurrent intradialytic hypotension episodes. Recurrent intradialytic hypotensive episodes can result in negative short-term and long-term clinical consequences. Short-term consequences include complications such as ischemic events (e.g., heart attacks, strokes), clotting of patient dialysis access, or heart rhythm abnormalities. Long-term consequences include end-organ damage, increased cardiovascular morbidity, and a higher mortality rate. Problem Statement: Available nursing interventions used to treat intradialytic …

Nutritional Intake And Weight Gain In Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: A Literature Review, Kailey A. Kubisch

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in infants presents unique challenges in feeding and weight gain. The unpredictable clinical manifestations associated with the newborns withdrawal from exposure to drugs in utero can lead to costly delays in transition of the infant out of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).The purpose of this review of literature was to explore feeding positions and nutritional intake with the greatest impact on weight gain in infants with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) following delivery. The secondary purpose was to compare the clinical manifestations of infants with NAS that influence nutritional intake and their relationship to length of …

The Effects Of Medical Cannabis Use Among Adults With Chronic Pain: An Integrative Review Of The Literature, Bridget A. Asevedo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this integrative literature review was to understand the effects of medical cannabis for chronic pain management in adults. Anecdotal reports suggest the use of medical marijuana as a pain management therapy could be an alternative to opioids and other medications which have long term consequences. Potential uses span the health care continuum, from prescribed outpatient symptom management, to acute care, extended care, home care, and hospice treatment settings. The methodology included a review and synthesis of relevant research articles from 2012 to 2018, written in the English language. The findings suggest medical cannabis has the potential of …

The Use Of Hydrotherapy For Chronic Pain, Emily S. Medal

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to provide a critical analysis of research findings about hydrotherapy as a means of reducing chronic pain used independently of opioids. Chronic pain is often treated with analgesics of varying potency, some with serious adverse side effects if used over a long period of time. Exploring the effectiveness of therapies other than medication to treat chronic pain is important to decrease or eliminate the amount to pain medication taken for chronic pain. Hydrotherapy is one therapy that may improve the pain experience for those with chronic pain. A literature search was conducted using the …

The Use Of Behavioral Pain Assessment Tools And Pain Outcomes In Nonverbal Patients, Patrick A. Healy

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Acute and critical care patients experience significantly more pain than those patients on a general nursing unit. Due to the severity of their condition, acute care patients may be nonverbal and unable to self-report their pain. Behavioral pain assessment tools are a method of objectively measuring pain in patients who are unable to communicate. While the use of these tools has been shown to improve short- and long-term outcome for patients, there is a paucity of evidence as to nurses' perceptions related to their use. The purpose of this study is to investigate acute care nurses' perceptions of the relationship …