Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Ms. Stereotype : Could It Be A Health Risk?, Phillip Van Der Klift

Theses : Honours

Two studies extend previous findings of stereotyping (a) within the nursing context (Ganong, 1993; Ganong & Coleman, 1992, Ganong et al., 1988), and (b) in relation to female title of address (Dion, 1987; Dion & Cota, 1991; Dion & Schuller, 1991; Heilder, 1975). Against the theoretical background of person perception theory and its influence upon the therapeutic nurse client relationship, study 1 investigates the extent to which nurses' stereotype a vignetted female client on the basis of title of address. Fifty registered nurses from two hospitals rated their impressions and subsequent expectations of a vignetted client on the First Impressions …

Neuman-Based Analysis Of Women's Health Needs Aboard A Deployed Navy Ship: Can Nursing Make A Difference?, Vivienne Andrea Parodi

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Healthy Back Promotion Program: Barriers To Implementation, A. Alice Endter

Master's Projects

The Occupational Health Nurse Practitioners (OHNPs) and the education specialist at a community hospital in northern California designed and implemented the Patient Lifting Equipment Program and protocol. After 1 year, the investigator used a questionnaire to identify and describe 17 female subjects' barriers to implementing the new equipment and protocol and their risk factors for back injuries. The barriers that the subjects cited most often were increased time to prepare and use the devices and the lack of staff who could assist with the lifts. Risk factors, e.g., age, body mass index, hours worked, stress on the job, and social …

The Differences Between Women And Men In The Length Of Time Between Onset Of Cardiac Symptoms And Undergoing A Cardiac Catheterization, Anita Gertsch

Master's Projects

Coronary artery disease is a leading cause of death among women. Even so, research suggests that women continue to receive less aggressive cardiac treatment than men. The purpose of the research was to determine if there was a time difference in initiation of cardiac catheterization in a selected population of men and women. A chart review was completed on adult women (n=20) and men (n=20), with varied adult ages, at a hospital based cardiac catheterization laboratory in Northern California. The charts were chosen randomly from the daily catheterization list. Data collection included age, gender, preferred spoken language, pay source, prior …

What Is The Physicians' Opinion Of The Nurse Practitioner Role And Function?, Theresa J. Grimes

Master's Projects

The study focused on the identification of physicians' opinions regarding the role and function of nurse practitioners. The research design was descriptive, using survey technique. Data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire, the Survey of General Practice Physicians' Opinions Concerning the Family Nurse Practitioner, which was developed by Karen J. Radke and Edith Wright. A convenience sample of 162 physicians, consisting of physicians specializing in family practice, pediatrics, internal medicine and obstetrics/gynecology, currently practicing in Monterey County, California, were surveyed. There were 61 (38%) survey's returned. Overall, physicians were "favorable" to all nurse practitioner functions, with the exception of nurse …

Caregiver Assessment Of Problem Behaviors In Relatives With Dementia, Barbara J. Glaze

Master's Projects

Caregivers were asked to rank the presence and difficulty of 15 specific behaviors in their relative with dementia. Results showed that in most cases, female caregivers ranked the prevalence and the difficulty of the behaviors higher than the male caregivers. In this study, caregivers experienced positive outcomes from the caregiving experience.

Screening For Domestic Violence: Performance And Barriers, Linda S. Hoffman

Master's Projects

Domestic violence is a major medical and sociological problem for women. The purpose of this study was to describe the incidence of and barriers to domestic violence screening by health care providers in one urban county in northern California. A convenience sample of 71 physicians and nurse practitioners with specialties in family practice, OB/GYN, and internal medicine provided the data. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the results of responses to a questionnaire. The majority of the providers agreed that screening for domestic violence was appropriate and reported being comfortable with the subject. However, the majority did not address the …

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of A Direct Observed Therapy Program With Vietnamese Tuberculosis Patients, Jacqueline T. Mac

Master's Projects

Tuberculosis (TB) has long been recognized as a major public health problem. The rate of TB is high in immigrants and the frequency of drug resistance is increasing. A major reason for the development of resistant infections as well as relapse is poor adherence to TB treatment. In response to this problem, direct observed therapy (DOT) was introduced to the TB program in Santa Clara County in 1993. The purpose of this study is to compare the completion rates, relapse rates, and sputum conversion rates between a DOT group and a non-DOT group of Vietnamese TB patients. A chart review …

Congestive Heart Failure And Quality Of Life: Can Patient Education Make A Difference?, Mary Beth Perniz

Master's Projects

Congestive heart failure is a widely prevalent sequel to other chronic medical and cardiovascular conditions. It is of growing concern to nurse practitioners in the primary care setting. Quality of life, as perceived by an individual, is directly affected while living with a chronic terminal illness. This pilot project conducted in a solo medical practice examines the effect of a patient education program on the quality of life of patients living with congestive heart failure. Basic patient education regarding anatomy, physiology, daily body weights, medication management, sodium restriction, regular exercise, and stress reduction was taught to a sample of patients …

Evaluation Of Nurse Practitioner Management Of Obese Patients, Sevasti Simotas

Master's Projects

The purpose of this research project was to study current practice behaviors of adult and family nurse practitioners when evaluating and managing obese patients. Forty-three nurse practitioners were surveyed by questionnaire. Study results indicated that nurses• assessment of obesity was limited in the areas of body mass index measurement and co-morbid condition assessment. In addition, the nurse practitioners studied did not discuss adjusting caloric intake to support patients' caloric needs. The discussion of caloric intake versus caloric needs in conjunction with portion control is important to ensure weight loss success. The knowledge gained from this research may increase nurse practitioners' …

The Impact Of An Educational Program On Anxiety Of Student Nurses Related To Perinatal Loss, Connie Telles

Master's Projects

Objective: To measure the effectiveness of a perinatal loss workshop on death anxiety of nursing students. Design: Simple, pretest-posttest. Setting: A classroom at a State University in California. Participants: 20 junior students in a baccalaureate nursing program in a maternal-child rotation. Intervention: A 60-minute perinatal loss workshop including Worden's tasks of mourning, therapeutic and non-therapeutic nursing interventions, photographs, poetry, and coping skills . Main Outcome Measure: Anxiety towards perinatal death was measured by Speilberger's State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI Form Y-1). Data were also gathered with a demographic questionnaire and a posttest. Results: The mean score on the PREST AI …

Identifying Polypharmacy In The Older Adult: A Survey Of Nurse Practitioners, Leslyn Ann Watson

Master's Projects

Currently 12% of the population are over the age of 65 and receive more than one third of all prescription medications. These clients are at risk for polypharmacy which defined in the current literature is greater than four or more medications taken on a daily basis (this includes prescription and over the counter (OTC) medications). Polypharmacy places a client at increased risk for adverse drug reactions which can lead to injury and death. This survey of 109 Nurse Practitioners (NPs) identified whether older adults were assessed for polypharmacy. The number of respondents was 64, or 59%. During routine history and …

Coping Processes Used By Mothers Of Triplets, Susan Mullen Kaplan

Health Services Research Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to identify and describe the coping processes used by mothers of triplets. Using a descriptive design, interpersonal comparisons of 92 mothers of triplets attending a national meeting of families of higher order multiples were made. Variables, in addition to sociodemographic characteristics, included coping processes, levels of depression, perceived availability of social support, and current stress levels. Coping processes were measured using the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (Folkman & Lazarus, 1988), derived from their cognitive-phenomenological theory of stress and coping. Level of depression was measured using the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (Zung, 1965). Perceived availability …

ผลการให้ความรู้เรื่องความเครียดและการจัดการกับความเครียด ร่วมกับการฝึกทักษะการผ่อนคลายแบบกลุ่ม ต่อระดับ ความเครียดและความวิตกกังวล ในผู้รับบริการที่มีอาการเครียด, วิไล สีพยา, ชนมน สูยาชีวิน, เยาวนาถ สุวลักษณ์, ยลฉัตร ทองเรืองศรี, ดาวลอย กาญจนมณีเสถียร, บุญวดี เพชรรัตน์

Journal of Nursing Research, Innovation, and Health

No abstract provided.

Perioperative Nurses' Attitudes Toward Computers, Marie A. Bashaw

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Computer technology continues to expand and grow in health care today. Computers have become an every day part of health care throughout the hospital environment. Computer technology has been a part of the monitoring system in the operating room; now computer technology is on the verge of entering the operating room for patient charting, impacting the perioperative nurses' daily routine. Determining perioperative nurses' attitudes toward computerization is important in minimizing stress and difficulty of implementing intraoperative computerization. Through understanding demographics associated with these attitudes, a smooth transition can be accomplished to perioperative computerization. Identification of demographics that increase perioperative nurse …

Parish Nursing: A Resource And An Opportunity, Janice W. Swing

Master's Projects

Do you know people in the community who do not understand their health needs? Are you aware of people who do not have access to health services? Parish nursing draws on the strengths of people in a congregation to promote physical, mental, and spiritual health for the congregation and its local community. Hospital nurses may want to use parish nurses as a valuable resource for discharge planning. Community nurses may also need the support of parish nurses for clients. Additionally, for experienced nurses who belong to a faith community, serving as a parish nurse satisfies a need for something new. …

A Comparison Of Ondansetron Administered Preoperatively And Intraoperatively In The Prophylaxis Of Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting In Laparoscopic Surgical Procedures, Pamela Bryant

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Post-Prostatectomy Urinary Incontinence On Quality Of Life, Martha Ellen Rheault

Masters Theses

The purpose o f this study was to evaluate the effect of post-operative urinary incontinence on the quality of life of men after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). A convenience sample consisted of 128 males, aged 40 to 75 years, who underwent RRP between May, 1994 and June, 1996 at a 529 bed acute care hospital in a Midwest city.

Subjects were asked to complete 3 data collection tools: The Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index Cancer Version (Q.L.I.-C.V.); The Urinary Function Questionnaire for Men After Radical Prostatectomy (Herr, 1994); and a Demographic/Related Information Questionnaire, developed by the researcher.

A …

The Relationship Between Knowledge Of Breastfeeding And Success In Breastfeeding, Sherry M. Knoppers

Masters Theses

This correlational study examined the relationship between knowledge of breastfeeding and success in breastfeeding. A convenience sample of women attending prepared childbirth classes in a Midwestern metropolitan area was used. The women were pregnant with their first child and planning to breastfeed. Gulick’s (1981) Information on Breastfeeding Questionnaire was used to test knowledge of breastfeeding before delivery and Rentschler's (1991) Breastfeeding Experience Questionnaire was used to measure knowledge and experience.

Roy’s Theory of Adaptive Modes (Andrews & Roy, 1991) was used as a theoretical framework. This study focused on the role function mode and role transition, looking at the secondary …

Chlamydia: Universal Vs Selective Screening, Verneal Y. Glispie

Masters Theses

Women, age 20 to 39, attending three family planning clinics within a Michigan health department, were screened for Chlamydia trachomatis. A nucleic acid hybridization test (Gen-Probe) was used to collect cervical specimens for seven consecutive months. A chlamydia risk assessment form, using Michigan Department of Community Health's selective screening criteria, was used to determine the client's risk group. A chi-square test with Yates correction was used for data analysis. The prevalence rates of high and low risk groups were compared with no significant difference (p = .18). The prevalence rates were 12.% in Site A; 1.7% in Site B; …

Reanalysis Of Tendon Data: Availability Of Dilated Eye Exams By Optometrists, Patrice Conrad

Masters Theses

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness among adults. Dilated funduscopic eye exams are necessary to screen for this complication of diabetes. It is often asymptomatic in the earliest stages when it is the most treatable. Nurses often need to refer people with diabetes for these screens.

Data were collected by TENDON through a survey of optometrists and were reexamined. The TENDON region includes ten counties in Western and Central Michigan. The original survey was sent to optometrists in the ten counties to gather information to print a survey used by nurses and others making referrals for screening. …

Pain Management Practice In The Acute Adult Trauma Patient, Sally B. Ossewaarde

Masters Theses

The purpose o f this study was to compare the pain management o f acute adult trauma patients during the first hour of resuscitation at a Level I Trauma Center versus non Level 1 Trauma Center Emergency Departments.

A descriptive two group comparison design was used for this study. The sample consisted o f 74 patients at the Level I Center and 65 patients at the non Level I Centers. Data was obtained through a retrospective chart review. Type, route, dose of analgesic, time from admission to first dose, and number o f consecutive doses were determined and analyzed by …

A Comparison Of Postpartum Clients' And Nurses' Perceptions Of Priority Information Needs For Early Discharge, Karen E. Lincoln

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare the perceptions of postpartum clients and nurses as to priority information needs for early discharge. King's Theory of Goal Attainment provided the conceptual model. A convenience sample of 33 nurses and 62 clients was used for the study. A 50-item instrument by Degenhart-Leskosky (1989) was used to compare perceived maternal and infant needs.

Though the analysis of data suggested there were no significant differences between the clients' and nurses' perceptions, there were discrepancies in 14 of 50 topics, and in some mean rankings. Infant feeding appeared as top priority for both …

Women's Perceptions Of Postpartum Appointment Keeping Barriers, Carol L. Czuk

Masters Theses

An exploratory, descriptive design was used to examine women's perceptions of barriers that inhibited them from keeping their postpartum appointments. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used as a theoretical framework, with special attention to the barriers dimension. A three-part survey consisting of basic demographic questions, a five point response scale for assessment of perceived barriers, and open-ended questions were used for data collection. A convenience sample of 15 women in a rural southwestern Michigan community who had not kept their postpartum appointment by the sixth week after delivery were included in the study. Data were collected by a structured …

Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Intradermal Injection Of Lidocaine, Iontophoretic Delivery Of Lidocaine, And Topical Emla Cream As Local Anesthetics For Venipuncture, Carol Straight

Masters Theses

The study was undertaken to establish whether the administration of a local anesthetic, lidocaine, significantly reduces the pain of venipuncture in adults, to establish the degree of tolerability and effectiveness of each of three delivery methods for lidocaine, and to identify recipient's preferences among the three pain-relieving measures. In this study, lidocaine was administered using three different delivery techniques: (1) intradermal injection of lidocaine, (2) iontophoresis of lidocaine, and (3) topical application of lidocaine/prilocaine cream, prior to undergoing venipuncture. Participants were asked to measure the level of pain experienced with each method of local anesthesia as well as the level …

A Description Of The Health Beliefs And Skin Cancer Prevention Practices Of Michigan Farmers, Denise Ann Coats

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the skin cancer knowledge, health beliefs, prevention practices and cues to action o f a sample of Michigan farmers. A sample o f 106 randomly selected male farmers responded to a mailed questionnaire comprised of 40 items measuring variables of the Health Belief Model and demographic information.

The farmers spent an average of 4.05 hours in the sun each day between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and an average o f 45.13 years living and/or working on a farm. They were quite knowledgeable about skin cancer (M = 77% correct), but most …

Cancer Health Beliefs And Knowledge In Relationship To Korean American Cigarette Smoking Status, Melissa Sue George

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe health beliefs and knowledge in relationship to Korean American cigarette smoking status. The data for this study came from the Asian American Cancer Control Study conducted at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The Asian American Cancer Control Survey examined the cigarette smoking status, demographic variables, cancer knowledge and beliefs, and alcohol use of 263 Korean Americans. The health belief model was the conceptual framework for the study. Chi square analysis indicated a statistically significant relationship between cigarette smoking status and gender, education, spoken English proficiency, years of residency in the United …

Comparison Of Pulmonary Artery, Tympanic, Oral, And Axillary Temperatures, Linda Oravec Walter

Masters Theses

Hypothermia depresses the myocardium and shifts the oxygen dissociation curve to the left. Accurate tem perature monitoring Is essential. Studies conflict regarding the accuracy of sites other than the pulmonary artery (the gold standard) In temperature measurement of intubated patients. Using Roy’s Adaptation Model as a conceptual framework, repeated measures analysis of variance found a significant difference between the pulmonary artery, tympanic, oral, and axillary temperatures when taken within 15 minutes of arriving to the cardiothoracic unit and then hourly for four hours after open heart surgery. Post hoc t-test showed significant differences during rapid temperature changes. When temperatures were …

Nurses' Beliefs And Perceptions About Children In Pain, Patricia A. Gorney

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine nurse's beliefs and perceptions of children in pain amongst nursing personnel employed in Northwestern Michigan, and to determine if a relationship existed between nursing education, age and years experience in nursing, and the scores on the Beliefs and Perceptions Scale. The sample consisted of 74 registered and licensed practical nurses in the area working in acute and ambulatory settings. Data collected was analyzed using Pearson's Correlational Coefficient. The Roy Adaptation Model served as a framework for the study.

No significant correlation was found to exist between the participant's age, years of nursing …

Measurement Of Self-Care In Patients With Cystic Fibrosis, Chrysanthe Porter Fooy

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to contribute to theory regarding the self-care agency in a population of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients ≥ 11 years of age (n=30). The following research questions were addressed: (1) w hat is the level of self-care in a group of CF patients; (2) what is the relationship between self-care and the basic conditioning factors of age, gender, years since diagnosis, and severity of illness; and (3) what is the relationship between locus of control and self-care.

Baker’s Cystic Fibrosis Self-Care Practice Instrument was used to measure CF self-care. Wallston’s Multidimensional Health Locus …