Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Base-Line Equivalence In Three Paired Groups Prior To The Implementation Of Primary Nursing, Julien Harris

Theses : Honours

Primary nursing, one of the methods advocated for assigning nurses to care for patients, has been the subject of much investigation. The value of the system remains unclear. A review of the literature indicated a lack of consensus with positive, equivocal, and negative findings. This study formed phase one of a collaborative Project which measures the effects of the implementation of primary nursing over a two year period. This portion of the Project studies the base-line data of three paired nursing units, to determine whether there was evidence of base-line equivalence of the study and control groups, as determined by …

Responsible Environmental Behaviour: A Test Of The Hines Model, Karen Hayward

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

As the number and salience of environmental problems have increased so have the number of studies which investigate environmentally responsible behaviour. Hines (1984), after conducting a meta-analysis of this literature, identified crucial variables which predict responsible environmental behaviour. While Hines has proposed a crude model which contains the variables thought to explain this type of behaviour, she has failed to hypothesize about the relationships that exist amongst many of these variables. The present study, therefore, was designed to develop a more elaborate model which attempts to explain some of these relationships, as well as predict responsible environmental behaviour. The sample …

Replication Study Of Nursing Diagnosis In The Hospitalized Chronic Pulmonary Disease Patient: A Pilot Study, Pearl Anne Kloac

Masters Theses

This study replicated a pilot study, conducted by Lynn Dapice in 1985, to clinically validate nursing diagnoses developed by the American Thoracic Society Group and Nursing Diagnosis Classification Group. The purpose of this current study was to broaden the body of knowledge regarding nursing diagnoses associated with the medical diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).; A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using Dapice's tool adapted to suit this study. Data from 25 charts of hospitalized COPD clients were analyzed using percentages and t-test; the results showed no significant difference between the two studies, with the exception of the age …

The Effect Of Expressive Caring Occasions On Disfigured Clients' Self-Esteem., Janith Carolyn Wood

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Measuring Midwives Accuracy Of Estimating Blood Loss, Christine J. White

Theses : Honours

This study focused on the assessment of blood loss during childbirth by attending midwives. It is very important that the volume of blood loss during childbirth be reported with accuracy. However, it is traditionally accepted that the most commonly used method of estimating blood loss is' inaccurate, This study attempted to determine the accuracy of the attending midwives' visual estimation of blood loss, during vaginal delivery, by measuring all blood loss with electronic weighing scales and comparing it to their visually estimated figures. One hundred and seven women, booked for confinement at a large metropolitan hospital, were selected for the …

Umbilical Cord Separation Time In Infants, Helen Bailey

Theses : Honours

Umbilical cord separation vary throughout the world. This variation makes it difficult to advise parents when the umbilical cord will separate. The purpose of this study was to determine the length of time until umbilical cord separation for a sample of babies born in Perth. A descriptive study was conducted at two hospitals using two different cord care methods. Data were collected on a convenience sample of 228 babies by a structures telephone interview. Mothers were contacted at home after cord separation and asked questions about the study variables. Influencing variables included type and frequency of cord care, sex, mode …

Clinically Practising Nurses' Perceptions Of Professionalism, Diane E. Twigg

Theses : Honours

This study describes clinically practising nurses’ perceptions of professionalism and compares these with reports of nurses’ perceptions of professionalism in the published literature. A phenomenological approach was chosen to identify and interpret the phenomena (professionalism). Ten Registered Nurses representing a range of clinical nursing positions were interviewed on the subject. Data were analysed using an interpretive methodology which identified themes and meanings. Credibility of results was established through participant validation of the identified themes and meanings and by researcher and data triangulation. The study identified six themes common to all participants’ descriptions: expertise based upon a sound education, continued learning, …

Effect Of Ice Therapy On Post Partum Perineal Pain And Wound Condition, Sheila Klimczyk

Theses : Honours

The application of ice to the perineal wound is a common treatment in the post partum period. There is little research available that evaluates the efficacy of ice therapy. This study examined the effects of ice therapy on the perineal wound in the first 24 hours post partum. An experimental design was used to test the hypothesis that the application of ice to the perineal wound, in the first 24 hours post partum, produces a significant reduction in reported pain and use of oral analgesia, and improvement in wound condition. A convenience sample of 58 post partum women from a …

Personal Practice Of And Beliefs About Breast Self Examination In Students Of Nursing, Charles Lancaster

Theses : Honours

Epidemiological data reveal that breast cancer is a major health problem to women today. Although there are no known means for preventing it, detection and early diagnosis of breast cancer can be readily made through Breast Self Examination (BSE), an inexpensive, non-invasive, cost--effective procedure undertaken by women themselves. Yet, while most women have heard of BSE, very few perform it. By employing Pender's (1987) Health Promotion Model (HPM) as the theoretical nursing framework, it is possible to study reasons for this noncompliance. In this study, two areas are looked at specifically: perceived susceptibility to breast cancer and perceived benefits from …

Optimal Axillary Thermometer Placement Time For Recording Neonatal Temperature, Athalie Johnston

Theses : Honours

Since body temperature is a reflection of neonatal wellbeing, taking and recording an accurate temperature is an important nursing role. Research has shown that axillary temperature adequately reflects core body temperature and is the recommended site for neonates. However, researchers have been unable to agree on the length of thermometer placement time to record an accurate axillary temperature. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal thermometer placement time to record the maximum axillary temperature in newborn infants using a descriptive correlational design. Axillary temperatures were taken using a convenience sample of 100 healthy, term neonates between 38 …

Hospital Quality Assurance And Outcomes Of Hospitalization, Patricia A. Rowell

Theses and Dissertations

This study was undertaken to address the need of professionals responsible for assuring the quality of hospital care for a framework for understanding and evaluating quality assurance mechanisms and their impact on hospital quality of care. Primary data were collected from 70 Virginia short term acute care general hospitals on the design and resources of their quality assurance programs in 1986. Adverse outcome data for 1986 were collected from the Medical Society of Virginia Review Organization. Hospital structural data were obtained from the American Hospital Association computer data base and the Federal Register. The intermediate outcome variables are: rate of …

The Analysis Of 3-Channel "Vector" Visual Evoked Potentials And Possible Neuroanatomical Correlates, Lance Mitchell Siegel

Theses and Dissertations

he use of evoked potentials to evaluate the functional integrity of neuronal pathways has become a useful and accepted practice in clinical medicine. The use of visual evoked potentials for assisting in the diagnosis of such diseases as optic neuritis and multiple sclerosis is also well recognized. However, the visual evoked potential, unlike the auditory evoked potentials, lacks a well defined electrophysiological to neuroanatomical correlation; especially that of a significant non-cortical component. Currently, visual evoked potentials rely principally on the measurement of a cortical (occipital) positive peak of activity at 100ms (P100), recorded with a single channel electrode system, to …

The Extent And Impact Of The Incorporation Of Employee Health Promotion Programs In The Central Florida Business Community, Thomas Berlin

Retrospective Theses and Dissertations

Employee health insurance premiums continue to rise exponentially despite stagnant inflation rates. The national trend in recent years has been to decrease benefit usage by attempting to establish a healthier workforce. The incorporation of employee health promotion programs either within, or outside of the worksite, is the favored means of providing a solution. The purpose of this study is to determine the extent of employee health promotion program usage in Central Florida, and the economic impact, if any, of these programs. The basic research questions for this study are:

1. What percentage of the corporations surveyed have instituted employee health …

Methionine Metabolism In Fasciola Hepatica, Carol Theresa Ayer

Dissertations and Theses

5'-Deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine (MTA) is derived from s-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) during the synthesis of the polyamines spermidine and spermine. Methionine can be regenerated from MTA by one of two mechanisms. In mammalian cells and some microorganisms, MTA is degraded to adenine and 5-methylthioribose-1-phosphate (MTR-1-P) via MTA phosphorylase. In certain other microbes, however, MTA is catabolized in two steps; first to adenine and 5-methylthioribose (MTR) via MTA nucleosidase followed by conversion of MTR to MTR-1-P via MTR kinase.

This study was to demonstrate the presence of MTA nucleosidase or MTA phosphorylase in both redia containing cercariae and adult Fasciola hepatica Linnaeus, 1758. If MTA …

Locus Of Control And Coping Strategies Of Clients Following An Acute Myocardial Infarction, Kathryn J. Niemeyer

Masters Theses

Fifty-eight clients admitted to two critical and intermediate units with the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI) completed a Heart Disease Locus of Control (LOC) Scale and the Jalowiec Coping Scale. A descriptive correlational design was used to examine the relationship between persons' beliefs about control and the types of coping strategies used after the onset of an acute MI. It was hypothesized that clients with an internal LOC would use problem-oriented more extensively than affective-oriented coping behaviors and that clients with an external LOC would use affective-oriented more extensively than problem-oriented coping behaviors. Imogene King's conceptual framework for nursing provided …

A Comparison Of Predictive Validity Of The Norton Scale, The Daly Scale And The Braden Scale, Sharon L. Marini

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the predictive ability of three tools (the Norton Scale, the Braden Scale and the Daly Scale) to predict risk of skin breakdown in a hospitalized population. Neuman's theoretical framework served as the organizational framework for the study.; A convenience sample of 27 patients who were admitted to one of three medical/surgical floors in an acute care hospital were selected for the study. The Braden Scale and the Norton 14 each identified 50% of those subjects who developed pressure ulcers. The Norton Scale 12 identified 96% of those subjects without pressure ulcers who …

Relationships Between Gender And Activity Involvement And The Incidence Of Behavioral Disorders In Children Of Alcoholics, Michelle Williams

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify relationships between behavioral disorders and gender of the child and gender of the alcoholic parent(s) and to investigate if positive involvement in activities outside the home decreases the number of behavioral disorders in children of alcoholics. This descriptive retrospective study used data collected from eighty-three questionnaires filled out by the parents. The data was analyzed with a two-way analysis of variance. No significant relationships were found regarding gender of the child and gender of the alcoholic parent(s). Children who were involved in outside activities had significantly fewer behavior disorders than those who …

Identification Of Family Member's Self-Care Knowledge: A Qualitative Study, Bradley S. Corbin

Masters Theses

A Family Adaptive Potential Assessment Tool (FAPAT) based on Modeling and Role-Modeling theory has been developed to assist nurses in their holistic approach to nursing. The purpose of this research was to begin to test one of the propositions on which the FAPAT was based: Families are able to identify what will be helpful for them during a time when they are trying to cope with a significant life event.; Families were generally able to identify what would be helpful. A modified grounded theory approach assisted to identify four themes that emerged under external support and three themes under internal …

Effect Of An Outpatient Educational Program On The Rehabilitation Of Myocardial Infarction Patients, Janice L. Hodges

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to answer the following question: Do myocardial infarction patients who attend an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation educational program have a higher level of knowledge and less anxiety than individuals who do not attend such a program? A quasi-experimental design with a nonequivalent comparison group was utilized. The nonprobability convenience sample included individuals hospitalized with a myocardial infarction. Sample size was twenty subjects in each of the two groups. A cognitive knowledge test and Spielberger's State Anxiety Inventory were administered within 48 hours of discharge. The experimental group attended an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation educational program which …

The Relationship Between Spirituality And Depression In Family Caregivers Of The Elderly, Cynthia L. Boland

Masters Theses

The main purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between spirituality and depression in family caregivers of the elderly. Data for this secondary study came from a caregiver research project conducted by Given and Given (1989). Although the primary study was longitudinal, this study used a cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design. A convenience sample of 191 family caregivers participated. Data on spirituality and depression were obtained by self-administered questionnaires. Spirituality was measured with the Spiritual/Philosophical subscale from the Coping Resources Inventory (Hammer & Marting, 1988). The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (Radloff, 1977) was slightly modified and used …

The Use Of A Three-Layered Air Cushion In Reducing The Incidence Of Pressure Ulcers In The Nursing Home Patient, Ann H. Harris

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effectiveness of a pressure relief mattress in reducing the number of pressure ulcers in high risk patients. The research design was experimental with random assignment of subjects who were identified as at risk for developing pressure ulcers into an experimental and control group. Every new admission entering two nursing homes in a Midwestern metropolitan area who met inclusion criteria was assessed using the Braden Scale for his/her risk for developing pressure ulcers. Twelve subjects determined at risk were assessed for skin breakdown for a period of two months, first weekly and …

The Effects Of Aids Education On Knowledge And Health Care Beliefs Of Nursing Students, Catherine Taliaferro Earl

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of AIDS education on knowledge and health care beliefs of nursing students. There were two hypotheses tested. Hypothesis one: nursing students presented with factual information about AIDS have more knowledge about AIDS than nursing students without AIDS instruction. Hypothesis two: strength of health care beliefs related to AIDS susceptibility, seriousness, benefits, barriers, and health motivation of students with AIDS instruction differ from those without AIDS instruction.; The study was conducted using a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design. The sample included 29 second term nursing students enrolled in the nursing curriculum of an …

The Relationship Between Acculturation Level Of Mexican-American Parents And Coping With Their Chronically Ill Children, Nancy Ellen Tena

Masters Theses

This investigation focused on 19 Mexican-American families with neurologically impaired children to determine to what extent they selected particular coping patterns in relationship to their level of acculturation to the Anglo-American culture. Using the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican-Americans (ARSMA), the families were categorized according to acculturation level (low, bicultural, and high). The families identified coping patterns (Family Support, Social Support, and Medical Support) which were helpful to them by completing the Coping Health Inventory for Parents (CHIP). Only one statistically significant relationship between acculturation level of these families and extent of their use of coping patterns was found: high …

The Effect Of Preoperative Exposure On Spouse Anxiety In The I.C.U., Carol J. Gates

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to answer the question: What is the effect of preoperative exposure of the intensive care unit (I.C.U.) on anxiety levels of spouses of open heart patients? A pretest-posttest experimental design was used to analyze data collected on 50 spouses of open heart patients. The subjects were randomly assigned to either experimental or control groups. State and trait anxiety levels were measured using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (1983). The experimental group received preoperative I.C.U. exposure in the format of a videotape the evening of surgery and the control group received routine preoperative preparation. T-test, chi-square, …

Psychosocial Responses Among Persons With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection., Susan Wickham Gaskins

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Identifying And Prioritizing Political Values And Skills Essential In Influencing Public Policy: A Component Of The Political Socialization Of Baccalaureate Nursing Students., Sandra Godman Brown

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Untrained Listener Perceptions And Disordered Voices, Donald S. Finan

Masters Theses

The ability of trained listeners to make judgments of voice quality has been well documented. This study is designed to investigate untrained listeners' ability to make quality judgments of male and female produced normal, breathy, harsh, and hypernasal voice qualities. Research purposes are as follows:

1. To test if untrained listeners tend to reliably assign specific positive or negative descriptive adjectives according to vocal quality.

2. To determine if specific disordered vocal qualities carry more negative rating than others.

A series of actors and actresses were trained to produce the disordered voice qualities of breathy, harsh, and hypernasal according to …

The Prevalence Of Atherogenic Risk Factors In Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease Of The Lower Extremities, Todd Donald Hixson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) of the lower extremities results from an atherosclerotic process in which the arteries of the lower extremities become narrowed or blocked. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of atherogenic risk factors in patients who have diagnosed PAD of the lower extremities. Specifically, the incidence of the following atherogenic risk factors was examined: parental history of cardiovascular disease, male sex, aging, cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and physical inactivity. Each patient was interviewed with a modified Harvard Alumni atherogenic risk factor questionnaire to identify the prevalence of the above mentioned atherogenic risk factors. …

The Meaning Of Pregnancy To The Black Adolescent And Family: Proving Dependency Through Childbearing., Valerie Wiggins Brown

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Validation Of Nursing's Human Need Theory In Persons With Hiv Infection., Marie Nicholas Bremner

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.