Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Relationship Between Preexisting Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease In Lung Transplant Recipients And The Development Of Post-Transplant Bronciolitis Obliterans, Heidy Abuan David-Robinson

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Lung transplant is a treatment modality for patients with end stage lung disease. Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) is the number one cause of morbidity and mortality in patients the first year after lung transplant. There are many risk factors which have been identified to increase the risk of BOS including acute rejection, lymphocytic bronchitis, medication non-compliance, bacterial or viral infections, older donor age, extended ischemic time, donor antigen-specific reactivity, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch, underlying disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Advanced practice nurses can help in the primary prevention of BOS through the assessment and treatment of pre-transplant patients …

The Experiences Of Women Who Live With An Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (Lcd), Jenea Mary Smith

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The implantable cardioverter defibrillator (lCD) is the most effective treatment available for terminating potentially life-threatening ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. The lCD detects and attempts to correct these arrhythmias by pacing, cardioversion, and defibrillation thereby providing lifesaving therapy to patients at risk for sudden cardiac death. Currently, 150,000 Americans receive ICDs each year. Although most lCD recipients are men, more women are now qualifying for insertion (Stutts, Cross, Conti, & Sears, 2007).

Despite its established health benefits, lCD implantation is accompanied by psychological factors which merit research attention. This study investigated the experiences of women who live an lCD. The …

Anticipatory Mourning In Caregivers With Children Who Die In The Hospital, Annie Rini

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The death of a child has tremendous impact on a caregiver. Even when prognosis is poor and death appears imminent, care of the dying child typically focuses on achieving cure. Consequently, caregivers are often ill prepared to cope with the grief they experience as their child is dying. Anticipatory mourning allows caregivers time to begin grief work prior to the death of a loved one. Literature suggests that those who experience anticipatory mourning have a less complicated bereavement period. The purpose of this qualitative study is to (a) describe the presence (or absence) and role of anticipatory mourning in caregivers …