Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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: …

The Effect Of Aphasia On Quality Of Life, Coping Style, And Resilience, Nelson J. Hernandez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Approximately one million people in the United States suffer from aphasia. There are multiple types of aphasia, however they are usually placed into two categories: non-fluent or fluent. The psychosocial factors that are impacted due to the type of aphasia has not been systematically investigated. The purpose of this study is to examine how non-fluent and fluent Individuals With Aphasia (IWA) compare or contrast across three psychosocial factors, Quality of Life (QoL), coping style, and resilience. The World Health Quality of Life- BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), Assimilative-Accommodative Coping Scale (AACS), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 item version (CD-RISC-10), were administered once to …

Cardiac Consequences Of Selective Adrenergic Cell Ablation In Mice, Lahari Tumuluri

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Phenylethanolamine-N-methyltransferase (Pnmt), is the enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of noradrenaline to adrenaline. It has been found in the embryonic heart and in certain adult heart cells, including intrinsic cardiac adrenergic cells, intracardiac neurons, and cardiomyocytes, but their physiological role in the heart is not well understood. To determine the function of Pnmt-expressing cells in the developing heart, a novel genetically-targeted mouse model that causes selective cellular suicide of Pnmt-expressing cells was created by mating Pnmt-Cre Recombinase knock-in mice (Pnmt^Cre/Cre) with ROSA26-eGFP-DTA (R26R^+/DTA). The “cellular suicide” allele is the Diptheria Toxin A (DTA) gene …

Adolescent Mothers’ Implementation Of Strategies To Enhance Their Children’S Early Language And Emergent Literacy Skills, Meredith C. Canty

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Previous studies have examined how the language skills of children with adolescent mothers differs from children of older mothers. However, there is limited information on what specific strategies adolescent mothers utilize to increase early language and emergent literacy skills in their children. The aim of the present study is to examine adolescent mothers’ use of strategies to increase the early language and emergent literacy skills of their young children. A sample of 14 adolescent mothers enrolled in a teen parenting program were surveyed on their use of common strategies that are shown to facilitate early development of language and literacy …

Attitudes Of Mothers And Daughters Towards Menstrual Suppression, Jacqueline M. Devaney

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Recent biomedical advancements, cultural practices, and individual preferences have altered the ways in which biological process such as menstruation are perceived and managed. Increasingly, women are interested in suppressing menstruation to alleviate its negative symptoms, including bloating, menstrual cramps, fatigue, and irritability. This topic is especially relevant for adolescent girls, as mothers and daughters might have to negotiate attitudes towards daughters’ menstrual suppression. Therefore this study aims to examine how this topic is discussed and understood within the mother-daughter dyad. It is also important to consider how these attitudes are shaped by cultural background, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, and religion. Through …

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 …

The Effects Of Resistance Training Frequency On Muscle Hypertrophy And Strength In Healthy Trained Individuals: Literature Review, Alexander C. Boivin

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of increased resistance training frequency on strength and hypertrophy in trained individuals. Six Studies were deemed eligible based on the inclusion exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria for this review were healthy trained individuals. “Trained” refers to over one year of resistance training experience. Exclusion Criteria were study’s that examined either untrained or obese individuals as participants. The evidence indicates a dose-response trend in frequency. Resistance training each muscle group twice a week may be superior compared to once per week. Further more, resistance training each muscle group three times a …

Causal Factors Of Cryptorchidism And Endocrine Disurpting Chemicals Such As Prenatal Maternal Cigarette Smoke: A Narrative Review, Andrew R. Morrissey

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cryptorchidism is a male congenital disorder with an unspecified, multifactorial etiology. This review evaluated the strength of select factors in the development of cryptorchidism to better understand its etiology. The strength of relationship between factors and their respective functions during testicular descent was evaluated. Factors evaluated in the causal pathway include the signaling mechanisms Desert Hedgehog (DHH), Insulin-like Hormone 3 (INSL3) and Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), as well as sex hormone regulation (androgen: estrogen ratio, aromatase expression). Articles supporting a factor in testicular descent were evaluated and scored. These scores were summed to create the “Step Score” for each step …

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 …

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 …

Knowledge, Confidence, Intention, And Motivation: Hegemonic Masculinity's Influence Upon Nutritional Habits Of Males, Sara Chizmar

Honors Undergraduate Theses

With the increasing incidence of chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and cardiovascular disease and the growing obesity epidemic, the need to increase nutritional literacy amongst the general public is paramount. Men tend to lack a strong base of nutritional knowledge. Masculinity is one of the factors preventing many men from making good nutritional choices.

The aim of this study was to investigate hegemonic masculinity in relation to current level of nutritional knowledge as well as perceptions and attitudes regarding dietary behaviors and intention to eat a healthy diet among a sample of males. A convenience sample of …

Water Sanitation And Waste Management In Latin America, Colombia, And Cartagena: A Study Of The Relationship Between Environment, Health, Poverty, And Policy, Andrea K. Sullivan

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The objective of this research is to identify the need for stricter environmental standards and regulations in three areas of study. Organized by their level of analysis, these areas are Latin America (at the System-Level-of Analysis), Colombia (at the State-Level-of-Analysis), and the city of Cartagena (at the Sub-National-Level of Analysis). This research was accomplished in two phases. The first involved conducting an exhaustive literature search of sources, germane to the objective, published in Spanish and English. The second featured a site inspection conducted over a 10-day period during the month of May 2016 to Cartagena, Colombia. The purpose of the …

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. …

Nutrition Resources For Football Players In Division I Institutions: The Athletic Trainer's Perspective And Role, Giovanna Marie Giannini

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: The importance of nutrition on athletic performance is evident. Athletic trainers (ATs), nutritionists/RDs, strength and conditioning specialists (SCSs), and other athletic department personnel may be available to student-athletes and can be solicited for nutrition advice. Multiple studies have found that although some universities have a sports nutritionist on staff, student-athletes approached an AT most often for nutrition advice rather than an SCS, nutritionist or other person. ATs have the necessary education to provide proper nutrition information to student-athletes; however, it is not the primary role of an AT.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the quantity, …

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 …

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 Risks And Benefits Of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors And The Effect Of Parent-Child Compliance On Medication Teaching In Pediatric Anxiety Disorders, Sabiha Nizam

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Pediatric anxiety disorders characterized as Generalized, Separation, and Social Anxiety Disorders, are chronic debilitating conditions that leave children feeling tense and isolated, both physically and emotionally. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a classification of antidepressants that can be prescribed to children diagnosed with these disorders. SSRIs have been shown to be effective in treating anxiety disorders in children. The purpose of this literature review was to examine and determine if there are more risks or benefits associated with SSRIs, as well as evaluate teaching and education regarding anxiety disorder medication compliance in both children and parents. A secondary purpose …

Identification Of The Effects Of Diabetes Mellitus On The Brain, Tryphina A. Mikhail

Honors Undergraduate Theses

As more studies accumulate on the impact of diabetes mellitus on the central nervous system, they resound with the same conclusion - diabetes has a detrimental effect on cognition regardless of the presence of comorbidities. Less consistent however, are the specific mental processes wherein these declines are noticeable, and the structural changes that accompany these reductions in mental capacity. From global atrophy to changes in the volume of gray and white matter, to conflicting results regarding the effects of hypo- and hyperglycemic states on the development of the hippocampus, the studies display a variety of results. The goal of this …

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 …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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. …