Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

An Evaluation Of A Coronary Education Program, Anne Broaddus Sydnor

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to evaluate a Coronary Educational Program at a 350 bed community suburban hospital. The five year old program has never been evaluated. The evaluation was limited to one product of the program, the change in patient knowledge relative to their disease. Subjects also completed a subjective evaluation of the program, including the content areas, teaching methods, and competence of the instructors.

Twelve subjects participated during the 2% month study. They consisted of 10 males and 2 females; 11 Whites and 1 Black. The age range was 53 to 76 years, with a mean of 63.9 years. …

Health Problems Of Selected Lds Missionaries Throughout The World, Susan Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study on Mormon missionaries was to determine the effect of health on missionary activity time, age, sex, months in field, laboring city population, monthly mission cost, living conditions, diet, pre-existing conditions, adequacy of medical care, nativity, effectiveness, emotional health, interpersonal relationships, and motivation and enthusiasm. In addition the research attempted to ascertain the effect of the selected independent factors on ill missionary lost time.

As an outcome of the statistical analysis performed on this study's sample the following results were obtained. Respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal difficulties and orthopedic injuries were the most common health problems. Well missionaries …

Mental Health Status Of Vietnamese Refugees In Utah County, Utah, David A. Acree

Theses and Dissertations

This study attempted to measure mental health status of Vietnamese refugees in Utah County, Utah. The test instrument used was the Cornell Medical Index (CMI). Two subproblems were considered: First, to see if refugee complaints on the CMI were predominantly physiological or psychological. Second, to see if there was a relationship between CMI scores and a related list of demographic variables.

Results showed the mean CMI score for the sample under study was well above the suggested score indicative of possible psychological dysfunction. For 80% of participants, psychological complaints were predominant over physical complaints. The only variables showing a relationship …

Comparison Of The Behavioral Pharmacology Of Phencyclidine To Related Compounds, Kathleen T. Brady

Theses and Dissertations

Phencyclidine (PCP) belongs to a class of drugs with a unique and characteristic spectra of pharmacological activity. PCP has recently become a major drug of abuse. Structural analogues of PCP have also been reported in street use. The following experiments explore the behavioral pharmacology of PCP and several compounds with PCP-like activity.

In Experiment I the effects of PCP were compared to three structural analogues in rhesus monkeys trained to lever press on a fixed-interval 5 min schedule of food presentation. Dose-response curves and potency estimates were determined for PCP, N-ethyl-1-phenylcyclohexylamine (PCE), 1-(1-(2-thienyl) cyclohexyl) piperidine (TCP) and ketamine.The effects of …

Self-Perceived Needs Of Adult Males And Their Significant Others Following Colostomy For Colo-Rectal Cancer, Derry Ware

Theses and Dissertations

In spite of continuing advances in diagnostic methods, surgical and medical management, and psychological care, cancer remains the second leading cause of death among adults in the United States (American Cancer Society, 1980), and it continues to engender feelings of futility in its victims and the general population as well. Between 1970 and 1980 more than 6.5 million new cases of cancer were diagnosed, and more than 10 million people were under medical treatment for the disease. There are over 3 million Americans presently alive who have a history of cancer (American Cancer Society, 1980). Approximately 15 percent of all …

An Analysis Of The Effect Of Immediate Corrective Feedback Administered As A Study Aid To Undergraduate Medical Technology Students, Constance Anne Bak

Theses and Dissertations

Twenty-six undergraduate medical technology students at Virginia Commonwealth University were provided with a Hemestasis Study Guide to use during this unit and in preparing for an exam in this area. The study guide contained fifty objective-related questions in multiple-choice format. Answers were printed in latent image and included positive reinforcement for correct selections and remediation for incorrect ones. Thus the student received immediate feedback concerning his response to each question.

An examination grade continuum was plotted for this class utilizing all exam grades in the Hematology course. A similar continuum was plotted for each of the three previous classes. (These …

The Relationship Between A Patient's Stress Level During Hospitalization And His Perception Of His Significant Family Member's Role In Providing Support, Susan Carey Williams Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

A descriptive study was undertaken to investigate the relationship between a patient's stress level during hospitalization and his perception of his significant family member's role providing support. The following subproblems were also addressed:

(1) What types of activities, presently or potentially performed by a significant family member, does the patient perceive as supportive?

(2) What types of nursing activities, as perceived by the patient, are being done to encourage/discourage performance of family support activities?

(3) What other factors does the patient perceive as encouraging/discouraging performance of these family role-related activities?

The Hospital Stress Rating Scale (Volicer and Bohannon, 1975) was …

The Relationship Between Self-Concept And Locus Of Control In Physically Abused Women, Betsy Wright Shires

Theses and Dissertations

History can provide some clues concerning the physical abuse of women by men. Beginning in biblical times, women were viewed as the property of men (Steinmetz, 1977). Until 1824 by law, a man was allowed to strike his wife if provoked (Bell, 1977). Under the law, some states still grant "spouse immunity" in cases of assault and battery, where married couples are involved.The focus of this research was to examine the problem of wife abuse through the perspective of social learning theory. Using Roy's theory of adaptation (Roy, 1976), the investigator also examined the area of self-concept as it related …

Investigation Of A Factor Released By Neoplastic Cells Which Produces A Chemokinetic Response In Activated Macrophages, Richard Durelle Lane

Theses and Dissertations

The increase in rate of random migration (chemokinesis) of C. parvum activated macrophages in media conditioned by Lewis Lung (LL) carcinoma cells was attributed to a trypsin sensitive, heat stable, high molecular weight factor released from the membrane of the tumor cells.

A capillary tube assay was developed to expediently monitor the chemokinetic activity of macrophages incubated in whole and fractionated media. The capillary tube assay was found to be capable of detecting both chemokinetic and chemotactic (directional movement) factors present in the test media. Statistical analysis revealed the capillary tube assay provided reproducible data both within and between experiments. …

The Effect Of Three Different Types Of Feedback On The Amount Of Force Generated During Isometric Contraction Of The Triceps Brachii Muscle, Cindy I. Buchanan

Theses and Dissertations

This study was undertaken in order to investigate the effect of different feedback variables on isometric strength performance. The variables studied were auditory EMG biofeedback, knowledge of results, and verbal cues.

Nineteen normal adult women volunteered as subjects for the study. Each subject performed nine isometric contractions of the triceps brachii muscle against the resistance of a cable tensiometer. One of three different types of feedback was given during each contraction in order to motivate subjects to generate as much force as possible. Feedback variables were applied in random order; each variable was used three times. Peak force readings were …

The Relationship Between Self-Esteem And Duration Of Low Back Pain, Betty Sue Holliday Ashby

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between self-esteem and duration of low back pain. Low back pain is one of the most common types of chronic pain. Sternbach et al. (1973) have estimated that the chief complaint of at least seventy percent of the patients presenting at the Pain Clinic associated with the School of Medicine of the University of California, San Diego is back pain. They feel that the major reason for this phenomena is the failure of physicians to recognize it as a psychosomatic illness. Erena (1978) concurs with this conclusion. He notes that …

Regulation Of Cartilage Acid Hydrolases And Their Relationship To Skeletal Growth, John Richard Hubbard

Theses and Dissertations

The in vivo regulation of several acid hydrolases by growth hormone was investigated in an attempt to lend insight into the mechanism of growth hormone action. In addition, the relationship of these enzymes to age-dependent changes in skeletal growth rate was examined. Initial studies showed that hypophysectomy reduced the activity of an unknown cartilage protease, which was assayed by digestion of gelatin-membrane substrates at pH 4.0. Treatment of hypophysectomized rats with growth hormone enhanced this activity to about normal levels. The unidentified protease activity was also shown to be higher in younger, more rapidly growing rats, than in older, less …

Comparison Of Burned Patients' Perception Of Pain With Nurses' Perception Of Patients' Pain, Merri Diane Walkenstein

Theses and Dissertations

Pain is a universal experience. Caring for people in pain is a central aspect of nursing practice. Many studies have been done to determine the physical and psychosocial mechanisms of the pain sensation, in addition to methods of relief. Very little has been done, however, dealing specifically with the pain experienced by the burned patient.

People hospitalized with thermal injuries complain most often of the intensity and long duration of their pain experience. Due to the large number of persons sustaining thermal injuries every year, it is apparent that nurses must familiarize themselves with methods of evaluation and intervention to …

Loneliness: A Study Of Adult Clinic Patients With Metastatic Cancer, Katherine Norfleet Berry

Theses and Dissertations

Loneliness is a topic of growing concern in the literature. Despite inherent difficulties in measuring such a personal experience, the present study was undertaken in order to gain knowledge concerning emotional needs of the dying cancer patient.

The conceptual frameworks for loneliness of Francis and Brown were combined and added to Bowen’s theory of “family reaction to death” to formulate the framework for this research. The relationship of secondary loneliness among adult clinic patients with metastatic cancer, and openness of their relationship system with a significant other was explored using the structured interview method. The loneliness scale and relationship system …

Clean Technique Intermittent Catheterization As An Alternative To The Indwelling Urethral Catheter, Christine Heuston Lessels

Theses and Dissertations

Research has documented numerous risks and complications in the use of indwelling urethral catheters.¹ In spite of this, indwelling catheters are still widely used for the management of incontinence.²

During the past four decades, studies have shown that incontinence can be managed or resolved in many patients by using intermittent catheterization. Early investigators used elaborate sterile technique and included only patients with neurogenic bladder as a result of spinal cord injury.³ Later studies showed favorable results in patients with incontinence of non-traumatic etiology--even in patients previously dependent on an indwelling urethral catheter.⁴ The early literature on …

The Relationship Between Maternal Self-Concept And Demonstration Of Adaptive Behavior, Barbara Woodland Fleming

Theses and Dissertations

The study examined whether adaptive maternal behaviors correlated with a positive self-concept measurement. The adaptive behaviors observed were those which the literature suggested indicate a positive response to the changes of the puerperium. The study aimed at assisting the nurse in assessing the self-concept level of clients. The researcher also hoped to contribute to the continued development of nursing theories and the application of the theories to the arena of clinical practice.

The Effects Of Prepared Childbirth On Length Of Labor In Low-Risk Primiparae, Beth S. Mollick

Theses and Dissertations

The hypothesis that prepared low-risk primiparae would experience shorter labors than unprepared low-risk primiparae was not upheld in the findings of the present study. The findings of the present study did appear to validate the findings of several other similar studies which reported no differences in length of labor between prepared and unprepared women. Suggestions for further study of some questions raised by the present study have been made.

Life Change Events In Patients With Minor Injuries, Janice Vandenburg Keitz

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the time relationship of life change events in young adult patients with minor injuries for which medical attention was sought in an emergency department (ED). Life change events are those occurrences in life which require an alteration in a person's adaptive and coping responses to ease the discomfort associated with the change. Too much change without an increase in adaptation responses may cause loss of control. The manifestation of loss of control under evaluation in this study was the occurrence of a minor injury.

A Study To Compare The Strength Changes After Training The Abductor Digiti Minimi In Young Adults And In Geriatric Adults, Timothy Lee Kauffman

Theses and Dissertations

A paucity of research exists in the strength training and aging literature. Hettinger (1958) reported that strength declined with age and that older persons gained less with strength training than younger persons. This study altered Hettinger's design by using a different muscle and a different strengthening routine. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of isometric strength training of the non-dominant left abductor digiti minimi muscles of young subjects and old subjects. The ten young female subjects, mean age 22.6 years, were all nursing students. The ten older female subjects, mean age 69.2 years, did not constitute …

Activities Of Nurse Practitioners As Identified By Medical Directors Of University Student Health Services, Candace Beaman Moore, Miriam Lee Gottlieb

Theses and Dissertations

University health services play a very important role in the general health, performance, and well-being of the students, the university itself, and the community. As stated by the American College Health Association, the goal of a university health service is to "promote and maintain those conditions which will permit and encourage each individual to realize optimum physical, emotional, intellectual, and social well-being."

University students have special health care needs such as drug and alcohol abuses, emotional problems, and gynecological, sexual, and contraceptive problems. It is the goal of the health professionals involved with students to meet those needs. Because of …

Preferences For Male Or Female Counselors As Related To Student-Counselee Sex, Grade Level, Type Of Presenting Concern And Self-Esteem, Mary Jane Sullivan

Theses and Dissertations

Problem: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the selected variables of student-counselee -- sex, grade level, and self-esteem -- and the preference for a male or a female counselor by types of presenting concerns.

Procedure: The subjects of this study consisted of 375 students, 189 males and 186 females, enrolled in a junior-senior high school in a rural community in north central Minnesota The subjects were all adolescents in grades seven through twelve, inclusive. The sample size for each grade level ranged from a minimum of sixty to a maximum of sixty-nine.

The instruments used …

Early Sibling Relationships, Patricia Mccook Rager

Theses and Dissertations

Most of the richness and beauty of life is derived from the close relationship that each individual has with a small number of other human beings--mother, father, brother, sister, husband, wife, son, daughter, and a small cadre of close friends. With each person in this small group, the individual has a uniquely close attachment or bond. Much of the joy and sorrow of life revolves around attachments or affectional relationships--making them, breaking them, preparing for them, and adjusting to their loss.

This study dealt with one of those special attachments, the relationship a child formed with his newborn brother or …

The Effect Of The Interviewer's Status Upon The Linguistic Style And Impact Messages Cenerated By The "Obsessive Personality", Vincent B. Greenwood

Theses and Dissertations

The present study addressed some of the peripheral statements emanating from Kiesler’s (Kiesler, Bernstein & Anchin, 1976) core communications theory by examining (1) a specific component of the communication style of the obsessive personality, (2) the distinctive emotional engagements the obsessive personality elicits when interacting with others, and (3) a situational determinant that is hypothesized to trigger relatively intense expression of the obsessive’s self-defeating communication style, as well as a higher level of state anxiety.

Specifically, the study examined the effects of a high or low status interviewer upon one expressive measure of speech and upon relationship consequences for groups …

Changes In Serum Osmolality And The Clinical Manifestations Of The Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome, Donna L. Young

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship existed between the change in serum osmolality in the chronic renal failure patient on hemodialysis and the number of clinical symptoms of the dialysis disequilibrium syndrome experienced during hemodialysis. The study was conducted at the Renal Dialysis Unit of an urban medical center located in a southeastern city. Data were collected from May 25, 1978 to June 30, 1978. Data were obtained during 28 hemodialysis procedures performed on 11 subjects. Serum osmolality measurements were collected prior to initiation of the dialysis procedure, at half-hour intervals during dialysis, and prior …

Interactions Of Ethanol And Methadone, Vijay Aggarwal

Theses and Dissertations

The effects of ethanol administration on the antinociceptive activity, lethal properties and brain concentration of methadone, were investigated. The effect of ethanol on the antinociceptive activity of methadone was assessed by the hot-plate and tail-flick tests. Concentrations of methadone in the brain were determined by the use of 3H-methadone as well as by gas liquid chromatographic analysis. The study showed that moderate doses of ethanol did not alter tail-flick or hot-plate response by themselves. However, when combined with methadone, ethanol produced a significant increase in the antinociceptive effectiveness of methadone as measured by both a decrease in the ED50 of …

Factors Influencing The Use Of Health Services: By Four Wards In The Taipei Taiwan Stake Relief Society Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Candace Sheila Gutzman Hsiao

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine what sociocultural, sociodemographic, and sociopsychological factors the Sisters in four Wards in the Taipei Taiwan Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints perceived as keeping them from using the health services during the period from June 1975 to May 1976.

Forty-five Sisters, age twenty-one and older, were surveyed by a written questionnaire during Relief Society meetings during the last week in June and the first week in July 1966.

A majority of the Sisters were found to have experienced times when they did not avail themselves of the existing …

A Study Of The Identification Of Medically Important Streptococci, Margaret Antoinette Hardy

Theses and Dissertations

Summary:

1. The type of animal blood used in preparing blood agar plates did not significantly affect the demonstration of hemolysis by any streptococcal species except for S.faecalis. S.faecalis more consistently displayed an alpha reaction on sheep blood agar while expressing a beta reaction on horse and rabbit blood agars.

2. A recommended scheme for identifying streptococci, adaptable to most any clinical laboratory, was developed and is outlined in Table 13.

3. S.agalactiae (group B) was the most frequent beta hemolytic streptococcal isolant. Significantly, it was the only species over-all to be recovered from every clinical source. The CAMP test …

A First Aid Teaching Unit For The Missionary System Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Glenn R. Schiraldi

Theses and Dissertations

The intent of this study was to develop a sixty minute, mediated practical first aid teaching unit for the missionary system of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Prostaglandin Synthesis In The Feline Adrenal Cortex, Suzanne Gale Laychock

Theses and Dissertations

Studies were carried out on the feline adrenal gland to ascertain the role of prostaglandins in the mechanism of action of ACTH. Using tritiated arachidonic acid as a prostaglandin (PG) precursor , it was demonstrated by column and thin layer chromatography techniques that isolated trypsinized adrenocortical cells possess an active PG synthetase capable of synthesizing radiolabeled PGE, PGF, and PGA/B-like substances. Concentrations of ACTH (125 - 250 _μU) which stimulate steroidogenesis enhanced the conversion of radiolabeled arachidonic acid to PGE, PGF and the PGA/B products extracted from cortical cells and incubation media.

PG biosynthesis by isolated cortical cells was …

Socioeconomic And Medicare Status Differences Between Elderly Church Service And Lds Private Pay Hospital Patients, Edward L. Soper

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the kind and degree of differences that existed in the socioeconomic status and access to financial resources of elderly members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and to determine if differences existed between Church Service and private pay elderly hospital patients in economic status, type of housing, housing costs, marital status, sex, number and degree of access to children, savings and other assets.

Certain elderly members of the LDS Church were found to be significantly deficient economically because of inadequate income, low lifetime earnings and high medical expenses. Findings …