Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Exploring The Impact Of Swimming On Asthma Management In Asian Americans, Trishtine Tran

Nursing | Senior Theses

Asthma is a respiratory disease that leads to narrowing of the airways in the lungs due to inflammation and mucus. Common symptoms include cough, wheezing, asthma attacks, excess mucus production, and decreased exercise tolerance. Pharmacological treatment methods for asthma include bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and allergy medications. Nonpharmaceutical treatments include monitoring of exposure to allergens and breathing exercises, however swimming is not as commonly suggested. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether implementation of a swimming education class will influence the effectiveness of swimming on asthma management in Asian Americans. This study aims to examine quality of life, changes in …

Reducing Emergency Department Visits For Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Nurse-Led Home Interventions, Teri Nguyen

Nursing | Senior Theses

In the realm of pediatric healthcare, children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) face unique challenges alongside their caregivers. Caregivers face challenges in accessing appropriate support and resources to effectively address the needs of children with ASD. Children with ASD struggle with sensory sensitivities, impaired safety awareness, and difficulties perceiving potential dangers which put them at greater risk for injuries. As a result, children with autism have higher rates of emergency department visits compared to their neurotypical peers. This research aims to assess the effectiveness of nurse-led home injury prevention and education in reducing emergency department visits for children with …

Nurse Suicide: Examining Depression And Anxiety In Critical Care Settings, Arianna Bernardine Barata

Nursing | Senior Theses

Nurses play a critical role in healthcare, yet the demanding work environment often exposes them to stressors, leading to the development of depression and anxiety. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) (2021), 50.8% of nurses have stress, 74% have anxiety, 70.8% have depression, and 79.1% have at least one of them. Burnout, understaffing, COVID fatigue, alarm fatigue, patient ratios, and disrupted sleep patterns are some of the stressors nurses contend with in every shift. While some nurses may cope and overcome these challenges, many face more severe issues, such as suicide. Nurse suicide is an issue that has …

Racial And Geographic Disparities In The Management And Care Of Sepsis, Luke Dommaschk Burwell

Nursing | Senior Theses

Sepsis, a severe condition triggered by the body's response to infection, requires prompt treatment to prevent tissue damage and organ failure. The SEP-1 Sepsis bundle, developed by Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), aims to standardize care, particularly in rural hospitals with limited resources. However, disparities in bundle adherence and mortality rates persist, with rural areas facing more significant challenges. Studies show racial differences in care quality, emphasizing the need for interventions to address systemic biases. While sepsis bundle adherence and simulation training are strong indicators of care improvement, the literature review underscores the need for targeted interventions in …

Icu Nurse Mental Health: Telehealth Versus In-Person Therapy Effectiveness, Ariel Mach

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background Nurses working within high-stress specialties, such as Intensive Care Units (ICUs), often face a lack of resources aimed at supporting their mental health. The expectation for the nurses is to independently manage their psychological well-being based on their knowledge and educational background. However, many times it is difficult to manage persistent stress, anxiety, or depression and this could adversely affect the quality of patient care and eventually lead to burnout. Telehealth therapy has become more readily available and used since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to two forms of treatment delivery. Currently, there is limited research on the effectiveness of …

The Impact Of Spanish Language Training For Labor And Delivery Nurses On Postpartum Depression Incidence Among Hispanic Women, Leilani Gutierrez

Nursing | Senior Theses

Postpartum depression and anxiety are experienced by 70-80% of new mothers, and the likelihood is twice as high for Hispanic women compared to caucasian women. Supportive techniques to help monolingual mothers in labor are lacking. A translator's assistance on the hospital floor, such as a video call from an iPad, is often impersonal and lacks the supportive atmosphere that women preparing to give birth need. The primary objective of this study is to explore the potential benefits of providing Spanish-speaking courses to labor and delivery nurses, particularly in cultivating a nurturing and supportive atmosphere for Hispanic mothers during childbirth. By …

Unleashing Wellness: Exploring The Impact Of Pet Therapy On Anxiety Reduction, Quality Of Life, And Treatment Adherence In Pediatric Oncology Patients, Karina Brouwer

Nursing | Senior Theses

Pet therapy is a complementary intervention that involves the interaction between a person and animal, with the focus of improving psychological well-being within diverse populations. In particular, children with oncological disorders have increases in anxiety and stress levels, therefore it is imperative to study the impact of animal interventions within this population. This literature critique explores the impact of pet therapy interventions on anxiety, stress, and quality of life perceptions in pediatric oncology patients. This research proposal will investigate how animal therapy interactions within pediatric oncology patients influence their anxiety levels and perceptions of quality of life and how these …

Exploring The Effects Of Different Types Of Diets On Preventing And Managing Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Ma. Patricia Diorel Peig

Nursing | Senior Theses

Diabetes is a major health problem that is becoming an epidemic in major countries of the world. Diabetes can affect people of all ages and of all races. However, there is a higher risk of developing diabetes for certain groups of people. As of today, there is still no cure for diabetes. The treatment plan for patients diagnosed with diabetes is to control the level of blood glucose through different interventions. The progression of diabetes is influenced by food behaviors, and diet control is an important aspect of management of this disease. There are different types of diet recommended that …

Prescription Opioid Misuse And Addiction: Healthcare’S Contribution To The Opioid Epidemic And What Can Be Done About It, Emily Larsen, Katrina Ecke

Nursing | Senior Theses

Up to one in four patients undergoing prolonged opioid therapy in a primary care setting battle opioid addiction. In 2020, the CDC found that more than 16,000 deaths involving prescription opioids (limited to natural and semi-synthetic opioids and methadone) had occurred, which is equivalent to about 45 deaths per day. Opioid overdose death can be identified through three distinct waves; increased prescribing of opioids in the 1990’s began the first wave, the beginning of the second wave came in 2010 with a rapid increase in heroin related overdose deaths, and in 2013 the third wave began with a significant increase …

Medically Accurate Evidence-Based Sex Education And Abstinence-Only Sex Education: Impact On Teen Pregnancies In The United States, Nicole Chiu

Nursing | Senior Theses

The U.S. has funded abstinence-only programs to combat pregnancy rates for a long time. With numerous factors contributing to teen pregnancies, there have been a lot of ways that people have decided to try to decrease the number of teen pregnancies. For example, schools have either decided that they intend to fully educate their teenage students using medically accurate evidence-based sex education or come from a more conservative approach and give abstinence-only education. The objective of this investigation is to identify whether evidence-based sex education or abstinence-only sex education is more effective at combating teen pregnancy and abortion rates. This …

The Feminine Vs Masculine Nurse: The Effects Of Gender Stereotypes In Nursing, Makrisel Lapitan

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background

The field of nursing has been a predominantly female profession since the introduction of modern nursing by Florence Nightingale in 1860. While more men are beginning to enter the field, there are still many stereotypes surrounding the role of a nurse. For women, this may include qualities such as caring and being empathetic or motherly. Conversely, there are assumptions that men are unable to bestow those same qualities and are therefore unworthy of working within the occupation. Female nurses may experience difficulty progressing professionally or feel that their male counterparts are more favored. Male nurses may observe that the …

Maternal Postnatal Depressive Symptoms And Its Effects On Infant Bonding, Tammy Nguyen

Nursing | Senior Theses

The objective of this thesis is to gain insight on precipitating factors that increase postpartum mother’s depressive symptoms, including stress and anxiety, and how attachment is influenced. Maternal-infant bonding is defined as the emotional relationship and interaction between mother and infant. Postnatal depressive symptoms typically are under-diagnosed due to a lack of education and the stigma of believing that the effects are “normal” consequences of motherhood. Those affected may not seek professional help. Unrealistic expectations about bonding with their infants can have a negative mental health impact on mothers and influence infants’ behaviors. High expectations of needing to be a …

Examining The Effects Of Music Therapy On Physical And Psychological Symptoms Among Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy, Guadalupe Saldana

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Patients undergoing chemotherapy experience undesirable physical and psychological effects in which medications are the preferred method of management. However, standard medications are often insufficient for patients. Failure to attend to the adverse effects can lead to worsening of the patient’s cancer diagnosis and quality of life. The importance of managing chemotherapy symptoms creates an urgent need to implement an approach that is noninvasive, non-pharmacological, and one that still meets the physical and psychological needs of patients receiving chemotherapy.

Objective: The purpose of this thesis is to examine the effects of music therapy (MT) on physical and psychological …

A Literature Review Evalating Ptsd Rates Among Healthcare Professionals Working In Emergency Transport And Critical Care Settings, Keenan Mai

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: The occupational stressors experienced by nurses and assistive personnel working in critical care settings can be extremely detrimental to their overall mental health. Employees in specialized units such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), cardiac intensive care unit (CICU), surgical trauma intensive care unit (STICU), pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), medical intensive care unit (MICU), neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), Emergency Department (ED) or Emergency Room (ER), and Critical Care Transport (CCT) settings are responsible for patients requiring a higher level of care, and consequently, have more to worry about throughout their workday. Research Question: Climbing rates of Post-Traumatic …

The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy And Informed Decision-Making On Primiparous Women During The Birthing Process, Morgan R. Fillipo

Nursing | Senior Theses

Childbirth is a very intense and vulnerable experience, especially for first-time mothers. Across the globe, the prevalence of traumatic and unsatisfying births has become an increasingly troublesome issue for women. There is extensive evidence of maltreatment, and a large portion of the problem has to do with the client’s medical team. To combat this dilemma, the best course of action would be to prepare women for this possibility by increasing the client’s self-efficacy and decision-making abilities. Self-efficacy, also known as confidence in one’s skills, is an important trait to have when it comes to patients being able to advocate for …

Nursing Burnout And Preventative Measures, Giselle Balaoing

Nursing | Senior Theses

Nursing burnout is a crucial problem that needs to be addressed due to the effect it’s having on nurses, such as causing many nurses to leave their jobs. Some of the major causes of nursing burnout include the effects of the work environment, emotional strain, and lack of sleep. Several nurses have stated that some environmental factors related to work that is causing nursing burnout include a high nurse-to-patient ratio, long shifts, and stressful specialties. Lack of support and emotional stress from patient care have contributed to burnout. Lastly, poor health habits, such as lack of sleep, also influence burnout …

The Impact Of Sleep Deprivation In Nurses On Psychomotor Skills, Memory, And Medical Errors, Luke Asprec

Nursing | Senior Theses

Nurses are often subjected to working long shift hours, doing overtime, or being on the night-shift. These factors often predispose nurses to inadequate sleep, which impacts memory, cognition, and mental health. This is significant because nurses depend on their psychomotor skills and clinical judgment to deliver effective nursing care. Each decision made is vital to the safety of the patient. Previous research studies have shown the negative effects of sleep deprivation on impaired concentration, judgment, and long-term health such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. While there is significant data in the general population, the specific effects of sleep deprivation in …

Barriers To Obtaining Healthcare In The United States, Nikita Laungani

Nursing | Senior Theses

One barrier to obtaining healthcare in the United States (U.S.) has been the type of healthcare insurance that someone has. It is important for nurses to understand the impact of the patient’s access to care, which is a factor in their health outcomes. Health insurance, race and ethnicity, income, and zip code are at the top of a long list of social determinants of health that affects where and how they receive care. To find out more about how barriers to obtaining healthcare affect outcomes, I researched various types of barriers around the country. It is important to understand how …

Determining Effects Of Holistic And Pharmaceutical Treatment Routes Taken By Physicians For Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Erendira Martinez

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a hormonal disorder that affects women all over the world. Though a newly recognized diagnosis, that has not been researched extensively, it is clear that this reproductive and metabolic hinderance debilitates many aspects of women’s lives, negatively impacting their quality of life.

Objectives:

• Discover the effects of physician determined treatment routes on patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
• Explore insufficiency of research conducted regarding different routes of treatments for patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Methods

A literature review was performed of primary research studies, utilizing databases provided by Dominican University of California. Six articles were reviewed …

Understanding Language Barriers And Its Implications On Patient Outcomes In The Urgent Care Situation, Nicolo Co

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background

A common goal for healthcare is healthcare for all, through which can be achieved when communication between the client and healthcare team is established. There are millions of immigrants worldwide who are not granted the healthcare that they deserve simply because of a lack of understanding in a country’s dominant language.

Patients with a limited language proficiency in a new country can have difficulty in understanding the care that they receive, which leads them to toil with understanding their healthcare options, let alone establishing expectations. This issue also stretches onto the risks of patient safety, in which urgent needs …

Using Family Focused-Care Solutions To Improve Child’S Quality Of Life, Joshua M. Del Sol

Nursing | Senior Theses

Chronic illness in children impacts not only themselves but their families too. Everyone in the family supports each other and provides each other with pretty much all our physiological needs including our emotional needs. Parents/caregivers are the role models for their young children and really shape the person they become because basic values and their early relationships are formed. A family provides that consistent balance in our life that is the center of our life at a young age. When children are diagnosed with a chronic illness, parents may feel responsible, ashamed, guilty, or angry. Families may turn on each …

Retinopathy: Reducing The Risk For Patients With Type Ii Diabetes Mellitus, Jasmyn Mei

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background In our modern environment, diabetes has become a significant public health issue. It is estimated that there are currently 537 million diabetics living in the world. According to those predictions, there will be about 783 million diabetics worldwide by 2045. With the effects of rapid lifestyle changes and urbanization, there is a rising tendency in the prevalence of diabetes and its consequences, such as retinopathy. Moreover, diabetic retinopathy is an important cause of avoidable blindness.

Objective The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether there is a relationship between early education and health outcomes in regards to retinopathy. …

What Impact Does The Ability To Access Healthcare Have On Maternal Outcomes In Africa?, Helena Harris

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Maternal mortality rates reflect health inequities in access to obstetric care in some parts of the world including many African countries. Geographical barriers and limited number of skilled human resources have put women in rural areas at a significantly higher risk of maternal mortality.

Research Question: What impact does the ability to access healthcare have on maternal outcomes in African rural areas compared to urban cities?

Methods: A literature review was performed of credible databases. Six articles were reviewed extensively highlighting the purpose, strengths, and limitations of each study. Refer to Appendix A for the literature review table.

Findings: …

Caffeine Usage And Effects On Quality Of Life, Clinical Performance, And Safety Among Nurses, Alexander Carl Yanga

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: The purpose of this investigation is to examine the effects of caffeine consumption on the nurse’s quality of life. It also will explore the relationship between caffeine consumption, nurses' clinical performance, and patient safety. Nurses often endure long hours with demanding tasks to ensure client health and safety. Long work shifts and low margins for error can be taxing, which could result in fatigue, poorer sleep, and increased risk for mistakes. Caffeine is an accepted and effective option for combating fatigue and boosting alertness short term. Questions arise about whether caffeine is beneficial or if consumption causes a decrease …

Does An Educational Intervention Program On Infection Precautions Decrease Absentee Rates In Schools?, Shelby Florann Keltner, Madelyn Salonga

Nursing | Senior Theses

During our community health clinical rotation in a public school, we observed abundant absences in the kindergarten class, which led us to inquire: What is the possible cause for the multiple absences? Further, we noticed that the students had a hand hygiene knowledge deficit. These observations led us to hypothesize that due to direct contact transmission many absences were related to infection-related illnesses, and without proper technique and understanding of hand washing, infectious diseases will continue to have a high probability of transmission in schools. The objective of our investigation is to identify the prevalence of this issue in communities …

The Effects Of School-Based Art Therapy On Depressed Adolescents, Jasmine Nicolas

Nursing | Senior Theses

Depression in adolescents is associated with deficient behavioral and health outcomes (Fletcher, 2019). Art therapy has been shown to be effective in treating mental health condition such as depression. A student’s academic success heavily depends on treating their depression. Community health nurses can play a vital role in advocating for adequate mental health support to improve a student’s overall well-being and academic success. The literature review contains six articles on the prevalence and impact of depression among adolescents, art therapy as an intervention for improving psychological outcomes and resilience among adolescents, and experiences of adolescent clients in art therapy within …

The Effects Of Screen Time On Children, Jacqueline Valdepenas

Nursing | Senior Theses

With the development of technology continuing to grow at a fast-paced pace in society, children are now becoming exposed to such technology at a younger age. The introduction of smartphones and tablets, which is defined as screen time in this paper, are being introduced to children as young as 6 months of age. Instead of children playing with toys recommended for their age, they use screen time for their play needs and entertainment. Some parents use screen time as a distraction and/or relief for their own needs when the child is upset or they’re unable to tend to the child. …

Growing Into The Nursing Role: Exploring The Challenges New Nurses Face And How Residency Programs Address These Problems, Jan Ashley Escosio

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: The first year of nursing practice is filled with growth and anxiety. Novice nurses face many challenges. A high turnover rate for new nurses creates a need for this issue to be addressed. New nurse residency programs may ensure nurses remain available to meet the community’s needs.

Objective: The purpose of this paper is to understand challenges new nurses face and how residency programs can address them. Two questions guiding the research are:

• What are the challenges new nurses face during their transition to practice (TTP)?
• How do New Graduate Nurse Residency Programs address these problems to shape confident …

The Effects Of Loud Nicu Environments On Premature Infants And Interventions To Help Minimize Noise, Elsy Gramajo

Nursing | Senior Theses

Noise in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) often exceeds recommended safe noise levels and has been found to have negative effects on premature infants and their health. Some of these effects can be changes in their heart rate, respiratory rate, and sleep patterns. In addition, negative effects, such as hearing loss, can cause permanent damage that impact children's long-term development. A preterm infant is an infant born before 37 weeks’ gestation. Being born prematurely comes with its own problems and many risks. Attempting to survive in an environment that causes more stress is not healing. Understanding the effects of …

Effects Of Nurse-Patient Relationship On Mental Health Patients’ Medication Adherence/Healthcare Outcome, April Monica Magbual

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background and Significance: Medication adherence among mentally ill patients (MIP) is a significant issue which require extra support & guidance to encourage better recovery. Administering medication is a critical role of nurses that must be performed effectively and appropriately, especially for MIPs.

Literature Review and Gap in the Literature: There is insufficient research exploring NPR and medication adherence specifically for MIPs. Participants’ cultural variations, age range, specific interventions & economic factors influencing medication compliance are missing. The current study aims to explore strategies that nurses can implement during patient interaction in the hospital setting.

Study Design and Method: A qualitative …