Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Bariatric Surgery Regain And Long-Term Weight Loss Among Women: Self-Efficacy, Social Support And Health Promotion Lifestyle Behaviors, Raelene Z. Brooks

Dissertations

Although bariatric surgery appears to produce success in a short period of time immediately after surgery, weight regain over time in this population cannot be ignored. Understanding the relationship between potential psychosocial predicting post-surgical variables influencing bariatric surgery may prevent long-term weight regain. The purpose of this research is to examine self-efficacy, social support, and lifestyle habits and their relationship to long term weight loss and regain in women post bariatric surgery. Weight regain is observed as early as 18 months to 2 years after bariatric surgery. Patients face challenges sustaining the dramatic lifestyle changes required to ensure positive long-term …

The Effect Of Mantram Repetition On Qol In Low-Income, Urban Dwelling Older Adults, Marissa Katerina Mackiewicz

Dissertations

Background: Quality of life is an important concept of increasing significance for the healthcare in the United States, especially when taken in perspective of the aging population. Low-income, urban dwelling older adults are challenged in a number of ways that may negatively impact their QOL. This unique group is prone to report lower QOL, therefore, interventions targeted to improve QOL are timely. The purpose of this study was to describe the effect of mantram repetition (MR) on QOL in a sample of low-income, urban dwelling older adults.

Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-posttest study was conducted using a sample population of low-income …

Identification Of Nurse-Controlled Predictors Of Pain In Patients Undergoing A Total Hip Or Total Knee Arthroplasty, Melodie Ruth Daniels

Dissertations

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among nursing interventions and pain status during hospitalization in orthopedic surgical patients receiving total hip or knee arthroplasty in one of four community hospitals in San Diego, California.

Background: The epidemic of opioid-related adverse events creates a need for opioid sparing approaches to pain management. Pain management practices have been studied in relation to medicine; however, the relationship between pain and opioid sparing, nurse-specific interventions is not clear.

Methods: The retrospective descriptive study examined Electronic Health Record (EHR) data of patients (N = 1657) discharged after a total hip …

Priapism Among Male Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease, Prince Ocansey

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the lived experience of priapism among male adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). A painful genetic disorder with no cure, SCD severely impacts the lives of patients, as well as their families and friends. Priapism is one of the complications of SCD and involves persistent and painful penile erections. The review of literature established a gap in researchers’ understanding of the lived experience of priapism among male adolescents with SCD. This study aimed to bridge that gap.

Using a convenience sampling method, 7 adolescent males between the ages of 16 …

The Association Of Kangaroo Mother Care, Energy Conservation, And Bonding In Preterm Neonates, Dorothy Forde

Dissertations

Purpose:To examine the association of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on energy utilization and bonding as evidenced by reduced biochemical markers of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) degradation, hypoxanthine (Hx), xanthine (Xa), and uric acid (UA), and (allantoin), a measure of oxidative stress in preterm infants 24-36 weeks gestation. A secondary objective was to compare specific physiological parameters using bedside monitoring and perfusion and oxygenation of the gut using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during 1 hour of KMC compared to incubator care.

Study design: A randomized controlled trial (RCT) examining the effects of 1-hour of KMC or 1-hour incubator care on urinary markers …

Examining The Relationships Between Ethnicity, Palliative Care And Readmissions In The Heart Failure Population, Deanna Johnston

Dissertations

Specific Aim: The aim of this dissertation is to analyze the relationships between ethnicity, palliative care consultation and readmissions in the heart failure population at a community hospital that serves a large diverse population.

Background: Hospitals struggle with preventing readmissions. There are many interventions that can be implemented to help prevent readmissions, and Palliative Care (PC) is one of those interventions. PC has many benefits including symptom management, improved communication through the healthcare continuum, understanding of illness and treatment options, and can be provided in conjunction with curative treatments. Heart failure is one of the most common readmission diagnoses. …

Oxygen Consumption In Sepsis, Julie Graham

Dissertations

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can lead to septic shock and death. With over 300,000 annual cases (AHRQ, 2011) costing a staggering $1.5 billion (Health Care Utilization Project Brief #185), the importance of sepsis is becoming clear. However, some basic biological mechanisms are poorly understood. Study Purpose: This study investigated the relationships between select demographics, resting energy expenditure (REE), serum lactate, SOFA score mortality index, oxygen consumption [by way of measuring net oxygen consumed, (V02) and net carbon dioxide produced (VC02)], and sepsis. Specific Aims: Aims were to describe 1) patient demographics, serum lactate, SOFA score mortality index, …

Exploring The Relationship Between Family Social Capital And Utilization Of Well Child Preventative Health Care Services, Kristi K. Westphaln

Dissertations

Background: Passage of the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010 increased insurance coverage for children, however possession of health care insurance doesn’t always equate to effective use of health care services. Misuse and underutilization of health care homes is associated with higher costs, fragmentation of health care, and poor health outcomes across the lifespan. Along with reliance upon the health care system, child health and well-being are dependent upon social factors such as interactions with caregivers and communities. Family social capital (FSC) addresses the interrelated nature of child health and family interaction while also promoting family cohesion as currency …

Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner As A Subspecialty: A Case Study, Debra M. Palmer

Dissertations

Purpose: The overall purpose of this study was to describe the ONP role by exploring how and why NPs are utilized in orthopedic health care settings. Two problems associated with the evolving ONP role were addressed: the concomitant decrease in the supply of and increased demand for orthopedic patient care services and the nursing profession’s unmet challenge to keep pace with that increased demand and protection of the public and nursing profession through credentialing of ONPs and programs providing certification and training for ONPs.

Approach: This study employed a single-embedded case study research approach to answer the research questions and …

Barriers And Perceptions To Obtaining Palliative Care In The Emergency Department, Jacqueline Lucille Saucier

Dissertations

Background:

Purpose: This study explored barriers and perceptions of providing palliative care services while patients are in the emergency department (ED) in order to increase the>likelihood of caregivers to elicit palliative care methodologies for patients with chronic illness, who are not necessarily at the end of life, but rather who are identified through repeated visits to the ED.

Design and Methods: A mixed methods approach was used to explore the barriers and perceptions of providing palliative care services in the ED. By using a qualitative approach, evidenced by grounded theory, this study explored the barriers and perceptions of providing …