Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Parental Grief Responses To Perinatal Loss, Lisa M. Peacock

Masters Theses

An exploratory, descriptive design was used to examine parental grief and coping responses to perinatal loss. Florence Selder's Life Transition Theory (1989) was used as the conceptual fiamework. A survey approach was used for data collection. This included basic demographic questions, the Perinatal Bereavement Scale and the Jalowiec Coping Scale. A convenience sample was obtained, consisting of 24 women and 6 men in northern Michigan communities who had experienced a perinatal loss at some time in the past. Data were collected by an anonymous mailed survey. The results of the study revealed that all parents in this sample did exhibit …

The Use Of Emergency Contraception: College-Age Students' Knowledge And Attitudes, Dollie J. Cadden

MSN Research Projects

The emergency contraceptive pill is a method of postcoital contraception. The method, often called the morning after pill, is relatively unknown, both among potential users and some health care providers. Morning after pills are available at the health centers of many universities. Recently, proposals have appeared in the academic and popular press to expand the availability of emergency contraceptive pills. On college campuses, where many students risk becoming pregnant but where few pregnancies are wanted, there may be a considerable unmet need for expanded availability of emergency contraceptive pills. At this time, few studies have documented the prevailing knowledge, attitudes, …

Entry-Level Competencies Needed By Bsns In Acute Healthcare Agencies In Tennessee In The Next Ten Years, Marjorie S. King

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The research focused on the identification of entry-level competencies needed by Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates who will begin employment in acute healthcare agencies in the next 10 years in Tennessee. The purpose of the study was to gain increased awareness of the competencies needed by graduates of BSN programs in Tennessee in order to meet the demands of the acute healthcare agencies, in light of present and anticipated changes in the healthcare delivery system. The opinions of nurse educators, nurse administrators, recently graduated BSNs, and experienced BSN graduates were solicited to assess congruency of perceptions. In addition, …

The Nature, Scope, And Consequences Of Drug And Alcohol Use Of Students Enrolled At Three Southern Appalachian Community Colleges, Jewel D. Morgan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the nature, scope, and consequences of drug and alcohol use by students enrolled at three southern Appalachian community colleges: Mountain Empire Community College (MECC) in Virginia, Northeast State Technical Community College (NSTCC) in Tennessee, and Southwestern Community College (SCC) in North Carolina. An additional purpose was to use this information to formulate recommendations for new and improved preventive substance-abuse programs. The design for this study was descriptive research. The Core Alcohol and Drug Survey (CORE) was selected as the appropriate instrument for use in this study. The 23-item questionnaire was designed …

The Identification Of Domains And Competencies For Community Practice Occupational Therapy, Lisa Anne Werner

Masters Theses

Literature shows evidence of a shift in occupational therapy from traditional institutional settings to community-based settings. As increasing numbers of new and expert occupational therapists enter community-based practice, the need for competency identification for practice, education, and reimbursement becomes paramount. This qualitative research study sought to identify domains and competencies of community-based occupational therapy practice by interviewing three expert occupational therapists using the critical incident method in which each therapist described one therapeutic intervention with a client. This method, as seen in nursing studies (Benner, 1982, 1984), serves to elicit competencies embedded in expert practice. Thirty-nine competencies were described in …

Burnout Among Managed Care Clinicians, Dawn M. Waggoner

Theses

Burnout is a pattern of emotional overload in which one feels overwhelmed by the demands imposed by others . Those individuals who do "people work" of some kind are the most vulnerable to burnout. The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between the level of burnout and the number of months case workers have worked at the same managed care company. Thirty-two case workers from one managed care company completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to assess their current level of burnout. Data analysis run on all three subscales found that there was no …

A Comparison Of The Effects Of Moderate- And High-Carbohydrate Diets On Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors: A Pilot Study, Margaret Helen Fernandez, Julia Ava Niehaus Soper

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This pilot study compared the effects of two diets on total cholesterol to high- density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, body mass index, and waist circumference. A diet of 15% protein, 55% or more carbohydrate, and 30% or less fat was compared to a diet of 30% protein, 40% carbohydrate, and 30% fat. Lipid levels and anthropometric measurements were obtained on 18 adult males with moderately elevated lipid levels before and after 12 weeks of dietary intervention. Analyses showed variances between and within the study groups in the areas of anthropometric measurements and lipid levels; no statistically significant differences between the groups …

Culturally Congruent Care: Predictors Of Patient Satisfaction Among Adult Mexican Americans, Shannon Marie Dowdall, Alma Rosa Flores, Karyn Elizabeth Taplay

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Predictors of patient satisfaction among hospitalized adult Mexican Americans were examined in this pilot study. Acculturation as determined by the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans-II (ARSMA-II), ethnicity of the nurse, age, gender, socioeconomic status, level of education and marital status were examined as predictors of patient satisfaction. Patient satisfaction was measured by the Patient Satisfaction Inventory (PSI). The pilot study was conducted in an acute care setting in the lower Rio Grande Valley, where 81 participants provided the data. The questionnaires were offered in both English and Spanish. Two qualitative questions were asked regarding the patients' perception of culturally …

The Role Of Gap Junctions In Congenital Diseases Of The Heart, Scott Henry Britz-Cunningham

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background. Gap junctions are thought to have a crucial role in the synchronized contraction of the heart and in embryonic development. Connexin43, the major protein of gap junctions in the heart, is targeted by several protein kinases that regulate myocardial cell-cell coupling. We hypothesized that mutations altering sites critical to this regulation would lead to functional or developmental abnormalities of the heart.

Methods. Connexin43 DNA from 25 normal subjects and 30 children with a variety of congenital heart diseases was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Mutant DNA was expressed in cell culture and examined for its effect …

Increased Glutathione Metabolic Defense Capabilities In Cultured Alzheimer's Diseased Lymphoblast Cell Lines, Collin M. Shaw

Dissertations and Theses

The hypothesis to be tested states that the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves elevated levels of oxidative stress, resulting in elevated levels of cellular oxidative defense mechanisms. If the premise is true, than AD pathologically afflicted cells should have a higher demand for glutathione (GSH) as an innate oxidative defense mechanism hence; greater GSH concentrations, increased GSH resynthesis capabilities, and increased levels of cystathionine gamma-lyase (CNase). Alzheimer diseased and age matched control lymphoblast cells, obtained from OHSU's Oregon Brain Aging Study, were cultured, and GSH biochemistry was subsequently evaluated. GSH was depleted by exposing cells to the GSH depleting …

Length Of Pregnancy And Birthweight Between Black And White Women, Christine Herdt

Master's Projects

The pregnancies of Black women are complicated by adverse outcomes, such as prematurity and low birthweight, at twice the rate of complications in pregnancies of White women (Taylor, Katz, & Moos, 1995). Early access to and adequate utilization of prenatal care services are essential for successful pregnancy and birth outcomes (Rowley, 1994). The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in length of pregnancy and birthweight between Black and White women at risk for preterm birth in a Preterm Delivery Prevention Program. A chart review of 79 clients enrolled in the Preterm Delivery Prevention Program …

Acts Of Resistance: Nurses' Personal Narratives, Maryanne Garon Dnsc

Dissertations

Acts of resistance can be expressions of creativity, protest or non-cooperation by oppressed groups. Resistance is seen as always present in the face of domination. Acts of resistance can help us to understand how the powerless mediate power relations, and they can actually give hope to the powerless. This study looked at the issues of power and resistance through critical and feminist perspective. A central concept of feminist theory is that women, and thus nurses as a women's profession, are oppressed. This study looked at female nurses' acts of resistance, which were defined as speaking up or taking action about …

The Differences In Health Beliefs And The Frequency Of Mammograms Among Older Women, Angela E. Hall

Master's Projects

Increasing age is the primary risk factor for breast cancer, yet older women underutilize mammography for early detection. The purpose of this study was to explore any differences in perceived benefits, perceived barriers, and physician recommendation rate between older women who do and those who do not follow current mammogram screening guidelines. A convenience sample of women over 65 years old (N = 70), completed the Health Belief Model questionnaire on mammography. The findings indicate a statistical difference in the perceived benefits to mammograms between the two groups (t = 2.72, p = .008). There was no statistical difference in …

Conceptual Metaphor In The Health Care Culture, Cheryl D. Glennon Dnsc, Ms, Rn

Dissertations

The conceptual metaphor has meaning only when understood within the cultural framework which gives rise to the conceptualization. The purpose of this study was to investigate the interaction of cognition (conceptual metaphor) and culture as manifest during intercultural communication in teaching-learning sessions between health care providers and patients. An ethnography of communication (Hymes, 1974; Saville-Troike, 1989) was the method employed to investigate the use of metaphor by patients, nurses and other health care professionals. Patients were viewed as a sojourner group in the health care culture; nurses and their health care partners were seen as a host group. Data were …

A Cross-Sectional Study Examining Lifestyle And Rheumatoid Arthritis, Leslie Nazaroff

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the synovial joints. RA affects 0.5-2% of the population. Though it is predominantly a progressive disease, adjunct therapy may slow the destructive pathway or alleviate affiliated symptoms. This study examined the effects of lifestyle (diet and exercise) and self-efficacy on symptoms of RA as measured by disease activity and health satisfaction.

Methods. Seventy-five RA patients (77% female) from the Loma Linda University Faculty Medical Offices, Rheumatology Department completed self-assessment surveys on their lifestyle practices and RA affliction. Disease symptoms and activity were assessed with the Arthritis Impact Measurement …

Stachybotrys: Is Nevada At Risk?, Terrylynn C. Foley

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Stachybotrys chartarum (atra) is a toxigenic fungus that is known to adversely impact the health of animals. Until recently, there have only been a few documented clinical reports linking Stachybotrys chartarum to human health effects. Scientists are increasingly convinced that Stachybotrys and its metabolites are responsible for several adverse health effects experienced by people all over the world, although conclusive proof has yet to be established. All the physical requirements needed for indoor Stachybotrys sporulation and growth is provided through water leaks (plumbing, roof or ceiling), flood events, nutrient sources (cellulose and nitrogen), pH, and temperature(23° - 28°C). Stachybotrys has …

Depression In Mexican American Adolescence And Its Relations To Ethnic Identity And Self Esteem, Deborah Cohen Woloski

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study investigated incidence of depressive symptomatology, clinical depression, and suicidal ideation in a high school sample of 1751 Mexican-American adolescents. The relations of depression, as measured by the Diagnostic Scale for Depression-26 (DSD26), self-esteem, as measured by the abbreviated Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale and ethnic identity, as measured by the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) were analyzed. Results indicate that Mexican-American adolescents are at increased risk for depressive symptomatology and suicidal ideation. Results showed that there is no higher incidence of Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in Mexican-American adolescents but an increased risk for depressive symptomatology was found. Ethnic identity and …

Regulation Of Connexin43 By Phosphorylation In Heart Development, John C. Duncan

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Serine/threonine protein kinases have been shown to reversibly regulate cell-cell communication through gap junctions formed by connexin 43 (Cx43) (Godwin et al.7 1993). The Cx43 protein expression levels are unclear and what role phosphorylation plays in the regulation of signal transduction through these gap junctions during heart formation. Reportedly, mutations which replace potentially phosphorylatable serines within the Cx43 protein are associated with heart malformations (Britz-Cunningham et al.. 1995), highlighting the importance of determining the levels of Cx43 and the activities of PKA and PKC during heart development.

Western analysis performed on hearts from developmentally significant time points revealed principally high …

A Comparison Of Bond Strength Between Three Glass Ionomer Cements Used For The Retention Of Orthodontic Bands, Bryan C. Johnson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The study compared the retentive bond strength of Ketac-Cem with Ultra Bond-Lok and a 3M Experimental glass ionomer cement at 1 hour and 24 hours using laser and common light cure techniques. The sample consisted of one hundred twenty sound extracted human molars divided into 5 groups: Ketac-Cem (self-cure), Ultra Band-Lok (light-cure), Ultra Band-Lok (laser cure), 3M Experimental (light-cure) and 3M Experimental (laser cure). Stainless steel orthodontic bands with buccal and lingual cleats were cemented as per manufacturer's instructions for each of the test samples. The samples were placed in water until ready for testing. The shear bond strength of …

Establishing Norms For A Mexican Group Using Ricketts, Steiner And Arnett Analyses, Mauricio Gonzalez Balut

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Most existing cephalometric analyses are based on norms for the Caucasian population. Therefore, they cannot be properly applied for Mexican or Hispanic patients. Ethnic variations in the normal positions of the maxilla and mandible influence and alter the diagnosis and treatment plan for each of the different type of malocclusions. Previous studies have addressed the difference between the Caucasian norms and the Hispanic norms, this indicates the variety of their skeletal, dental and facial features.

It is the purpose of this study to establish specific cephalometric standards for the native Mexican group, using the Steiner and Ricketts analyses along with …

A Comparison In Processing Of Alginate Orthodontic Impressions By Commercial Labs, Robert Agnetta

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Many orthodontists use commercial orthodontic laboratories for the processing of their impressions including preparation of the impression for pouring, model retrieval, final trim, and labeling. It was studied, by way of random sample survey, what materials and methods were most commonly utilized in 100 offices of members of the American Association of Orthodontics. This survey data was analyzed and used to establish a protocol to study differences in dimensions of models made from impressions that were poured immediately, versus those that were stored and picked up at the office the same day they were taken, and those that were shipped …

The Relationship Of The Incisive Canal To Maxillary Median Diastema, Jeffery S. Corbett

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the incisive canal and maxillary median diastema, and to identify an imaging method capable of documenting the geometry and dimensions of the incisive canal. The sample consisted of 59 dry skulls, 26 of which had a maxillary median diastema ranging in size from 0.1 mm to 2.8 mm (mean 1.0 mm, SD = 0.7 mm). Each skull had all of the permanent maxillary teeth present from first molar to first molar and lacked any apparent non-orthodontic condition that could have caused the diastema. Diastema width and canal diameter were …

Localization Of Sodium, Potassium-Adenosine Triphosphatase In The Cerebral Cortex Of Developing Rats, Maki Ujiie

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Active transport via Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase plays an important role in establishing and maintaining proper ionic gradient across all mammalian cell membranes. A strict regulation of Na⁺, and K⁺ ion levels is especially important in excitable cells such as neurons and myocytes. Inhibition of the enzyme is associated with several pathological conditions and has serious detrimental effects on cerebral cortical cells. Yet the enzyme appears to be limited in amount and distribution in newborn rats. In this study, Na_⁺, K⁺- ATPase expression and distribution in early postnatal rats were studied …

Characterization Of Metal-Regulated Genes In Pseudomonas Fluorescens, Melanie Pearson

Honors Theses

One side effect of today's industrialized world is increased levels of heavy metals in the environment. Many of these metals are necessary for biological function as trace elements, but at higher concentrations are toxic. Other metals, such as cadmium, are not beneficial at any level, and have only deleterious effects on living organisms. Cadmium is primarily thought to interfere with normal biological function of proteins. Human exposure to cadmium appears to primarily damage the kidneys, but may also affect the liver, lungs, immune system, and central nervous system. Bacteria, however, have developed several methods for handling toxic heavy metals: cation …

A Comparison Of Practice Patterns Of Nurse Practitioners In Collaborative Practice And Those In Independent Practice Arrangements, Lee Wallace

MSN Research Projects

Nurse practitioners provide health care in a variety of settings, which can be subdivided into two broad categories: collaborative practice, indicating physician and nurse practitioner practice in the same setting, and independent practice, indicating physician preceptor not in the same facility. This study’s purpose was to determine if differences exist in practice patterns of nurse practitioners in collaborative and independent practice. This descriptive, conparative study was guided by the American Nurses Association Social Policy Statement. The setting was the predominately rural state of Mississippi. The sample

Physical Fitness Perceptions And Exercise Participation Of Older Adults, Kristi J. Spruell

MSN Research Projects

The purpose of this descriptive exploratory study was twofold: to determine if older adults are exercising and to examine their perceptions of physical fitness. Nola J. Pender's Health Promotion Model provided the theoretical framework for this study. The following research questions guided the study: (1) Are older adults participating in adequate exercise?; (2) Do older adults perceive themselves as physically fit?; (3) Do older adults perceive motivators to exercise?; and (4) Do older adults perceive barriers to exercise? A convenience sample of 40 adults, ages fifty and above, was obtained from a primary care clinic in a suburban area in …

Diet Adherence Factors Affecting Diabetic Older Adults, Laurie Schluter

MSN Research Projects

Diabetes is a chronic disease which affects a significant portion of the United States population. Effective management requires adherence to a prescribed dietary regimen. Many diabetics have difficulty adhering to their recommended diet. This descriptive study explored diabetic diet adherence in older adults. The following research question guided the study: What are the factors that affect diabetic diet adherence in older adults? Sr. Callista Roy's adaptation theory provided direction for the study. Thirty two diabetic patients age 45 years and older in Louisiana comprised the sample. The sample included rural and urban patients of a home health agency and a …

Coping Mechanisms Of Older Adults With Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Mary M. Snuggs

MSN Research Projects

Diabetic foot problems are a significant cause of foot and limb amputation (Dorgan, Birke, Moretto, Patout, & Rehm, 1995). Because o f the devastating physical and psychological effects of amputation, aggressive treatment o f diabetic foot problems is warranted to prevent loss o f limb. Promotion o f effective coping is one successful method o f therapeutic treatment. According to nursing theorist Betty Neuman (1995), effective coping with external stressors is imperative for an individual’s health, harmony, and personal integrity. This study was conducted to describe the coping mechanisms o f older adults with diabetic foot ulcers. The research question …

Congestive Heart Failure Clients' Knowledge Level About Self-Care Measures, Phyllis Savage

MSN Research Projects

Almost 5 million Americans are living with congestive heart failure (CHF) today with over 400,000 new cases diagnosed annually (American Heart Association, 1997; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 1996; Konstam et al., 1994). Despite medical advances, mortality rates remain high for CHF. Lack of knowledge was cited as a frequent cause of clients' noncompliance with prescribed self-care regimen. Client education has been indicated as beneficial in promoting a better self-understanding of CHF. In order to successfully provide education to CHF clients, health care providers must first be able to assess clients' prior knowledge about the condition. The purpose of …

Factors Influences Adolescents' Choice And Discontinuation Of Depo-Provera, Carey E. Mccarter

MSN Research Projects

Long-term contraceptives are a needed measure for prevention of unintended pregnancies. Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera), a long-term injectable contraceptive, is particularly useful for adolescent women. Despite the widespread use of Depo- Provera, limited data exist in the literature on continuation rates, especially among adolescents. The purpose of this descriptive study was to determine the factors which influence the choice and discontinuation of Depo-Provera among adolescents. The Health Belief Model served as the theoretical framework to guide this study. The convenience sample consisted of adolescent females (N = 14) . The instrument utilized for the collection of data was the McCarter …