Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Does An Individualized Back Education Programme Change Nurses' Knowledge And Practice About Back Injury Prevention, Diane K. Riley

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Back injury has predominantly been a problem which has affected a large cross-section of nursing staff involved with direct patient care. While back injury prevention has been instituted in hospitals for sometime, the percentage of nurses with back injury remains high. Within a major teaching hospital, a ward in which nurses suffered a high rate of back injuries was identified. Through an action research approach the researcher (who worked in the same area as the participants) developed and implemented an individualized back injury prevention programme. The 4 criteria by which the study was measured included, a reduction of back injuries, …

An Evaluation Of A Workshop On Pain Assessment And Management For Nurses, Beverley Bradshaw

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of this study was to assess nurses’ knowledge of pain assessment and management, examine what change occurred immediately following a pain assessment and management workshop and examine whether any changes were retained one month later. Chin and Benne’s theory of change provided the theoretical framework for this study. Their approach to planned change involves assessing the existing structure, formulating and implementing a plan to change that structure, then evaluating the change. The following hypothesis was formulated for investigation: That nurses’ knowledge of pain assessment and management would increase after a workshop on the subject and be retained over …

The Intelligibility Of Japanese Speakers Of English To Native Speakers Of English, Manabu Aoki

All Master's Theses

This research was conducted to identify the most important English speech sounds which determine non-native English speakers' intelligibility to native speakers of English. The researcher focused on variation of pronunciation by Japanese English speakers of differing levels of proficiency and examined the correlation between their pronunciation and intelligibility to native speakers. The results provided some keys to intelligible English speech and some implications for developing comprehensible speech in teaching English as a second language or English as a foreign language.

Aerat: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Accidental Extubation Risk Assessment Tool In Identifying Level Of Risk For Accidental Extubation, Annette Beebe Hayman

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations (1964–2006)

Utilization of the endotracheal tube as a mechanism for maintaining control of airway patency and tissue oxygenation has been a standard of practice in modern critical care medicine. Complications can result from the accidental removal of the endotracheal tube from its proper position. This could lead to many severe ill effects including death. As a result, the prevention of accidental extubation becomes a priority for this patient population. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the Accidental Extubation Risk Assessment Tool (AERAT) in identifying the level of risk of the ventilated patient for accidental extubation. The …

Perceived Leadership Style, Style Flexibility, And Style Effectiveness Of Government Hospital Administrators In Thailand, Pongsin Chuwattanakul

Dissertations

Problem. Many health care organizations have a great need for leaders who can handle the complex mix of health care facilities, legal and patient demands. Currently, hospital administrators of government-operated hospitals in Thailand are selected from physicians. These physicians are not directly trained to be professional hospital administrators. It was the purpose of this study to study and reveal their leadership styles.

Method. A descriptive design was used to study the leadership styles, style flexibility, and style effectiveness of hospital administrators in self-reports and as perceived by supervisors. The LBA II-Self (Leader Behavior Analysis II: Self Perceptions of Leadership Style) …

Detection Of Point Mutations In The Dystrophin Gene, John Pedretti

Theses : Honours

The dystrophin gene has been localised to Xp 21.1. Mutations of this gene can lead to the clinical manifestations of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD). In the majority of DMD and BMD patients the disease-causing mutation is a deletion detectable by southern analysis or multiplex PCR, however in 30% of patients no deletion is observed using these conventional tests. Using PCR amplification of cDNA it was possible to detect a deletion in the product of the dystrophin gene of one such individual affected with BMD. It was then necessary to characterise the mutation in order to determine whether this …

An Exploratory Study Of The Development Of Perceived Body Image In Elite Female Artistic Gymnasts In One Central Programme, Michelle A. Saliba

Theses : Honours

Women's elite gymnastics is characterised by subjective and aesthetic judgement and together with increasing technical requirements imposes strict body composition and body image requirements throughout the international gymnastic community. Limited research has been conducted on the younger, smaller, leaner and almost prepubescent gymnasts who now dominate the International arena. The purpose of this study is to provide an understanding of the way in which current and retired elite, female artistic gymnasts perceive their own and the "ideal" gymnast's body image, and to identify factors influencing the development of these perceptions. Nineteen subjects were drawn from one Australian women's artistic gymnastics …

The Effect Of A Semester Unit Of Study On Ethical Issues In Nursing On A Group Of Practising Registered Nurses, E. C. Ambrose

Theses : Honours

This study explored the effect an educational unit on ethical issues in nursing had on the ethical reasoning of practising registered nurses. The educational unit was conducted at a university school of nursing as part of a baccalaureate degree programme for already registered and practising nurses. A quasi-experimental posttest design utilising stratified random samples compared subjects from one group who had undertaken the unit (n=53) with subjects from another group who had not (n=61). Ethical reasoning was measured using Grisham's Nursing Dilemma Test and a researcher designed demographic data sheet provided information on additional variables for analysis.The group which had …

A Comparison Of Axillary And Tympanic Temperature Measurement In The Preterm Infant, Susan Elizabeth Bearsby

Theses : Honours

The transition of the newborn to extrauterine life, especially the preterm infant, necessitates adaptation to environmental changes in temperature (Levene, Tudehope & Thearle, 1987). The need for a method of measuring an infant's temperature rapidly and with minimal disturbance is critical and accurate temperature measurement in a preterm infant is a vitally important nursing procedure. However, the literature is inconclusive regarding the optimum placement time required to achieve an accurate temperature measurement and few studies bad been conducted to ascertain the reliability and usefulness of tympanic thermometers in preterm infants. The study of 81 hospitalised preterm infants, compared axillary mercury, …

Urinary Bladder Assessment Skills Used By Hospital Nurses Before A Decision Is Made To Institute Intermittent Catheterization, Marion L. Burke

Theses : Honours

Intermittent Catheterization is an invasive technique in which a hollow tube (catheter) is inserted into the bladder to drain urine at regular intervals when a patient does not void. Catheterization is a technique frequently performed by nurses. The skills of assessment by nurses of a patient's urinary bladder prior to instituting intermittent catherization (IC) have been neglected in the field of nursing research. The purpose of this descriptive-correlational study is to identify bladder assessment skills (BAS) among hospital nurses prior to instituting intermittent catheterization. The study asks the questions: To what extent do nurses utilize BAS, and what is the …

Health Care Beliefs Of Elderly Vietnamese Refugees, Gayle Watson

Theses : Honours

Since 1975, a large number of Vietnamese refugees have settled in Australia. They can be recognised as a distinct cultural group within our society. However, little research has focused upon the health practices and beliefs of these people. This is a study of elderly Vietnamese refugees who have previously been identified as maintaining a great adherence to traditional values and behaviours. The aim of the research is to describe the health practices and beliefs of elderly Vietnamese refugees. As a mini ethno-nursing study, this research sought qualitative data, guided by the Health Belief Model adapted to accommodate cultural perspectives. With …

Development Of A Questionnaire To Assess Knowledge In Women With Gestational Diabetes, Caron Mclarty

Theses : Honours

Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have a significantly increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus in later life. A lifestyle which includes healthy eating habits, weight control, regular exercise, and stress management has been associated with preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications. To care for themselves women require educati9n about and knowledge of strategies that have been associated with preventing diabetes. An essential part of education is knowledge assessment Women with GDM have been largely overlooked in the development of instruments to measure knowledge of diabetes. Orem's general theory of nursing …

Mathematical Transmission Model Of The Spread Of Hiv Through Sexual Contact And Iv Drug Usage Among Heterosexuals In Western Australia, B. Glockner

Theses : Honours

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and its latter stage, the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), are still a major health problem in the world and the full extent of the epidemic is unknown. The HIV virus in Australia has been spread mainly through homosexual contact, but this mode of transmission is decreasing while transmission from heterosexual contact and from IV drug use is increasing. The proposed mathematical model concentrates on transmission of the HIV virus through heterosexual contact and IV drug use among heterosexuals in Western Australia. The model parameters will be estimated from surveys conducted by the Australian National …

Needs Of Terminally Ill Cancer Patients In An In-Patient Hospice Unit, Marylynn C. Oldham

Theses : Honours

In Western Australia, in-patient hospice/palliative care units are caring for increasing numbers of terminally ill cancer patients. Hospice philosophy is based on the belief that the terminally ill patient in individual needs are of paramount importance. The needs of advanced cancer patients have been researched in the home, for patients continuing or having completed curative treatment, and for patients receiving palliative care. However, there is a lack of literature about the needs of terminally ill cancer patients in in-patient hospices. Using a descriptive approach, this study investigated the needs of six terminally ill cancer patients in a 26 bed in-patient …

Comparison Of Primiparous Women's Expected And Experienced Pain In Labour, Shelagh Lawrence

Theses : Honours

Pain is a subjective phenomenon and is, in varying degrees, an inherent part of the childbirth experience. However, most Western societies view suffering as unacceptable and as such, regard analgesia as a necessity. Many women do not anticipate the intensity of pain experienced in childbirth and are, therefore, not ready to manage this amount of pain when it occurs. This prospective study compared the expected and experienced labour pain of 99 primiparous women, aged 17-40 years. The relationship between expected and experienced pain and acceptance of pregnancy; identification with the motherhood role; relationship with mother; relationship with husband/partner; preparation for …

Effects Of Nurse Extern Programs On Student Nurse Performance, Lola A. Coke

Masters Theses

This study was done to determine if summer nurse extern programs increased the nursing performance of student nurses. The conceptual framework for the study was developed from Benner's (1984) "From Novice to Expert". Forty-five students from six hospital based nurse extern programs in Southwestern Michigan participated in the study. A pretest-posttest design was used. Schwirian's (1978) Six Dimension Scale of Nursing Performance was used to measure six nursing performance sub scales: leadership, critical care, professional development, teaching/collaboration, planning/evaluation, and interpersonal relations/communication. Frequency and quality scores were obtained for each behavior. It was hypothesized that an increase in both frequency and …

The Impact Of Demographic Variables On Views About Nursing As A Profession, Sandra Kaye Fatum

Masters Theses

Understanding the impact of demographic variables on views about nursing will provide essential knowledge for nursing. This study evaluated the possible impact of demographic variables on the individual's view of the nursing profession. The sample was beginning students, senior students, recent graduates, and faculty from traditional and unified bachelor programs utilizing data from Setter-Kline's (1990) study. A significant difference was not found between the demographic variables of marital status (F = 2.248, df = 4, 463, p =.0630), role model (F =.653, df = 2, 37, p =.5263), and basic faculty preparation (F =.666, df = 4, 81, p =.6176) …

Educational Preparation And Clinical Experience As Variables In Moral Judgement Development Of Staff Nurses, Jacquelyn A. Keehne

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare moral judgement development levels of staff nurses with diverse levels of educational preparation and different lengths of clinical experience. Kohlberg's theory of moral development served as the theoretical basis for this descriptive correlational study. The Judgements About Nursing Decisions (JAND) was used to measure moral judgement in this study. The subjects (N = 115) were practicing staff nurses in the clinical areas of orthopedics, oncology, medical/surgical care, cardiac care/telemetry, and intensive care services. Varying lengths of clinical experience were reported and the majority recorded a Bachelors Degree in Nursing (BSN) as their …

Isokinetic Shoulder Strength Of Women Softball Players: A Pilot Study, Karen A. Kuffel, Diane J. Potter

Masters Theses

The purpose of this pilot study was to provide isokinetic shoulder strength data on college women softball players. Ten women ranging in age from 18 to 21 years old were tested. The Cybex II+, U.B.X.T. and HUMAC system were utilized to test the strength of external rotators, internal rotators, horizontal abductors, and horizontal adductors at 90, 180, and 300 deg/sec. Mean peak torque values were consistently greater in the dominant arm but there were no statistically significant differences in agonist to antagonist ratios between arms. The ratios of external rotators to internal rotators were consistently 2:3 while the ratios of …

Utilization Of Community Based Health Care Services By The Well Elderly, Rachelle Hesselberg, Kristen Wagner, Yolanda Zimmerman

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if the elderly used community based health care services, to which they had been referred, following discharge from an acute hospital stay. The sample consisted of twenty elderly recruited from various senior centers in the West Michigan area. Of the respondents surveyed, 18 out of 20 were Caucasian. The average age of respondents was 73 years old. Of the services surveyed, all were under utilized by our sample except those in the clinic. An 18-item questionnaire was developed and distributed to the participants. Results from the data implied that it was more …

Effects Of Ankle Foot Orthosis Application On Standing Balance In The Elderly, Jeralyn J. Gray, Tammy L. Krueger, Denise K. Krynicki

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in balance as measured by the Balance Master{dollar}\sp\circler{dollar}as a result of ankle foot orthoses (AFO) application to a sample population. Data from trials with AFO and without AFO were obtained from six men and twelve women ages 65-79. Paired T-tests were used to analyze data for areas of significance. Significant areas included rhythmic weight shifting (right/left), limits of stability (LOS) forward direction, LOS right forward direction, and LOS backward direction with p values ranging from p = 0.0048 to p = 0.0451. AFO application may have altered the range of motion …

Physical Therapists' Knowledge And Perceptions Of Patient Care Team Meeting Styles In The Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting, Neisha Dickman, Christine Ritsema, Brenda Warner

Masters Theses

This study was designed to analyze what types of team meetings are being utilized for patient care in the inpatient rehabilitation setting. It was also designed to look at physical therapists' knowledge of the criteria that differentiates the interdisciplinary team approach from the multidisciplinary team approach. A perceptual questionnaire was sent to physical therapists involved in the inpatient rehabilitation setting in the State of Michigan. Only 1.7% of the physical therapists are involved in a true interdisciplinary team. The other respondents reported that their teams have some characteristics of both the interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary team approach. However, when asked what …

The Psychological Types Of Physical Therapy Administrators, Heather Despres, Kelly Myers, Sue Woods

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution of psychological types among physical therapy administrators. Our random sample was taken from the membership roster of the Section on Administration of the American Physical Therapy Association. We used the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to assess psychological types and a demographic questionnaire to collect data on the administrators.; The most common psychological types among the participants (n = 45) were found to be ISFJ, ESFJ, ISTJ, INTJ, and ENTJ, respectively. Although no explicitly predominant type was found, a clear preference toward judging (J) was noted.

Life Satisfaction Of Persons With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Dennis A. Bertch

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to describe the adaptation of persons with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on continuous nasal cannula oxygen using a self-reported assessment of life satisfaction tool. The Roy Adaptation Model provided the conceptual framework to describe perceived life satisfaction considering the effects of gender, age, race, education, marital status, employment status, length of time on nasal cannula oxygen, and amount/liter flow of oxygen.; A convenience sample of 56 persons was obtained through a medical supply company that services most of southwest Michigan. The majority of respondents (56.6%) were satisfied with life. No significant differences were reflected …

An Investigation Of Stress And Burnout In Hospital Registered Nurses, Ellen Nora Hale

Masters Theses

This study investigated job stressors and burnout among hospital registered nurses and was based on a systems theory model in which inputs and throughputs interact to effect outputs. Job stressors were measured using the Job Stress Questionnaire (JSQ). Top-ranked stressors included heavy work load, insufficient resources, and inability to satisfy conflicting demands. Burnout was measured using the three subscales (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) of the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Based on multiple regression analyses, total JSQ scores accounted for 21% of the variance in emotional exhaustion scores. Together, years of experience and an education level of BSN or BA …

Hardiness And Its Relationship To Anticipatory Nausea And Vomiting Experienced By The Patient Receiving Cisplatin Chemotherapy, Colleen K. Smith

Masters Theses

Research suggests that the hardiness characteristic acts as a buffer in the stress/illness relationship. The purpose of this study was to assess the presence of hardiness and examine its relationship to the amount of anticipatory nausea and vomiting experienced within a sample of patients receiving cisplatin chemotherapy. It was hypothesized that individuals with a high level of hardiness would experience less anticipatory nausea and vomiting than individuals with a low level of hardiness.; A prospective descriptive correlational design was utilized. A convenience sample of adults with cancer (n = 29) receiving cisplatin intravenously was studied. All patients were assessed via …

Health Value And Health Locus Of Control: Impact Upon Compliance In Cardiac Patients, Laura C. Wightman

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of an individual's locus of control and health value to compliance to the prescribed rehabilitation regimen among post myocardial infarction and post cardiac surgery patients. Forty subjects were used in an ex post facto research design. The Multidimensional Locus of Control scale, the Value Survey, and a demographic data instrument were administered 1 to 2 days prior to discharge from the hospital. Thirty days after discharge the subjects completed the Health Behavior Scale.; It was hypothesized that male cardiac patients with an internal locus of control were more compliant to …

Risk Factor Prevalence, Risk Status, And Perceived Risk For Coronary Heart Disease Among Thai Elderly., Linchong Pothiban

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Application Of Aguilera's Crisis Model To Caregivers Of Elders Relocating To Nursing Homes., Brenda Riley

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Relationship Among Subjective Mental Workload, Experience, And Education Of Cardiovascular Critical Care Registered Nurses., Andrea Crawford Gregg

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.