Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Patient Attitudes Toward Self-Medication During Hospitalization, Elizabeth A. Reilly

Theses : Honours

This study explored patient attitudes toward the behaviour of self-medication during hospitalization using Ajzen's and Fishbein's model of Reasoned Action {1980}. The goal of Ajzen's and Fishbein's model is to predict and understand an individual's behaviour. This study adapted the model and identified seven variables which were thought to influence a person's intention to self-medicate. Two hypotheses were developed based upon the relationships between the variables in the model and their predicted effect upon the behaviour of self-medication. Correlational statistics were performed to determine the general relationships between a subject's specific and general attitudes toward the behaviour of self-medication, their …

Occupational And Life Stress In Nursing: Is There A Relationship?, Christopher Billam

Theses : Honours

A population of two hundred and twenty nurses involved in direct patient care in a regional hospital were surveyed to assess if a relationship exists between occupational and life stress. A cross sectional survey design was used. The questionnaire contained four distinct categories: demographic information, Nurses' Stress Scale, a Life Events Inventory and a social support scale. A return rate of 49.5% was obtained, and several completed questionnaires were rejected, leaving the data from 1.04 questionnaires to be analysed. The nurses in this population reported low scores tor both occupational and life stress. However, the instrument used to calculate the …

An Investigation Into The Effects Of Preoperative Teaching On The Self Reported Levels Of Anxiety Of Patients Undergoing Elective Surgery, Megan Inglis

Theses : Honours

Over the last twenty years there has been a considerable amount of research conducted into the effects of preoperative teaching on postoperative recovery. While it is well known that preoperative instruction assists patients to recover from their operation, the mechanisms by which this occurs are not clear. One mechanism which may improve postoperative recovery is preoperatively. This research the reduction of anxiety examined the effects of preoperative teaching on preoperative levels of anxiety in patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy or herniorrhaphy. Twenty eight patients had their preoperative anxiety levels measured by a widely used questionnaire known as the State Trait Anxiety …

Sensory Regression Time From Subarachnoid Block With Hyperbaric 0.75% Bupivacaine In The Obese Patient, George Leslie Hilton

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if obese patients have a different sensory regression time from subarachnoid block than non-obese patients using hyperbaric 0.75% bupivacaine. A quasi-experimental design was used. Twenty patients were separated into two groups; one group was classified as obese, and the other group was classified as non-obese. The data consisting of age, height, weight, sex, and surgical procedure were recorded preoperatively. All the patients received hyperbaric 0.75% bupivacaine via subarachnoid puncture. The levels of spinal anesthesia were recorded at the highest level achieved. The injection time was also recorded. When the surgery was completed, …

Administration Of Post-Operative Analgesia, Liora J. Valinsky

Theses : Honours

Pain is one of the major problems encountered by patients who have undergone surgery. The relief of pain is an important part of their treatment, and is both a nursing and a medical responsibility. Analgesics, both narcotic and non-narcotic, are usually prescribed by doctors on a pro re nata, or ‘as needed' basis. The responsibility for administration lies with the nurses, and they choose the type and quantity of drug to be given. Research into the area of pain relief has shown that both nurses and doctors need further education in the judicious use of analgesics, particularly narcotics. This study …

The Effect Of An In-Service Lecture On Diabetes On Nurses' Attitudes To Diabetes Patient Education, Jennifer A. Walters

Theses : Honours

Patient education has been shown to be a major factor in improving the compliance and self-care skills of diabetic patients, thereby improving the quality of life for the patient. Nurses have an important role in diabetes patient education. Research has indicated, however, that barriers such as lack of knowledge and negative attitudes may prevent nurses from effectively delivering this care to their patients. The purpose of this experimental study was to determine whether increasing the knowledge of registered nurses through an in-service lecture on diabetes would improve their attitudes towards diabetes education. The conceptual framework for the study proposed that …

Cognitive Learning Outcomes In A Cardiac Nursing Course: A Pilot Study, Amanda J. Whittle

Theses : Honours

This study measured the cognitive learning outcomes of registered nurses who completed a short cardiac nursing course. This course was held in a metropolitan teaching hospital during four weeks in September, 1989. The author grouped the twenty participants into one of two groups according to prior acute cardiac nursing experience; (1) those who had less than six months post-basic cardiac nursing experience; and (2) those who had six months or more post-basic cardiac nursing experience. A pre-course test and post-course test was given to the participants to measure the dependent variable, that is, cognitive knowledge. Using as case-comparative design, the …

A Dengue Antibody Prevalence Study In New Providence, Bahamas, Veronica Toppin

Public Health Theses

Approximately 275 persons currently residing in New Providence, and whose ages ranged from 1-60 years were chosen to participate in school and pre/post natal clinic surveys testing for dengue antibody. Two hundred nine persons responded favorably. Blood samples taken from these individuals were tested for dengue antibody utilizing the IgM (MAC) Capture ELISA, the IgG ELISA and/or the Hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test. Twelve percent of the population tested were < 5 years, and the majority of the participants (55%) were between the ages of 5 and 9 Years.

The results showed that 15.4 % of the females, and 5.1 % of the males tested positive for dengue antibody. Three percent of the persons who tested positive to dengue were …

Showering In Labor: An Effective Pain Management Alternative, Kathleen A. Austin

Masters Theses

Health care professionals continue to be concerned about the relief of pain and anxiety associated with childbirth. There are recent anecdotal reports in the literature which describe showering as an effective nonpharmaceutical alternative for labor pain management. The effectiveness of showering can most likely be explained physiologically by the "gate control" theory of pain.; The purpose of this descriptive-correlational study was to examine the labor patient's perception of the effectiveness of showering as a comfort measure and the relationship between showering in labor and outcome variables such as analgesia use, anesthesia use, and childbirth satisfaction. After approval by appropriate human …

Staff Nurse Identification Of Nursing Diagnosis From A Written Case Study, Sharon Etheridge

Masters Theses

A descriptive study was conducted to determine how well medical-surgical and critical care staff nurses identified the same nursing diagnoses and defining characteristics from a written case study. A convenience sample of 83 staff nurses from four acute care institutions participated in the study.; Of the total diagnostic statements made, 42.9% were the same as those identified by experts in the case study. Three nurses (3.6%) correctly identified all five nursing diagnoses in the written case study. An additional seven (8.4%) nurses correctly identified four of the nursing diagnoses. The demographic characteristics of these nurses were varied. No statistical relationship …

Needs Of Families Of Adult Cardiac Surgery Patients During The Intensive Care Stay, Michael L. Williams

Masters Theses

The purposes of this research were to identify needs of family of adult cardiac surgery patients during the intensive care stay, by whom these needs were met, and to identify demographic variables that were associated with identified family needs. Thirty-one families of adult cardiac surgery patients ranked 45 need statements using the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory. The need to have questions answered honestly was identified as the most important need by the families in this study. Nurses were identified as the person who met most of the needs of the families. Some significant differences in needs between spouses and …

Why Do Women Have More Headaches Than Men? An Examination Of The Differences Between Male And Female Headache Sufferers., Paula Varnado

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Altered Level Of Consciousness: Validity Of A Nursing Diagnosis., Joan Staggs Grant

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

The Perception Of Loneliness By Adolescents Who Are Mildly Mentally Retarded., Beverly Desmond Hansen

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Self-Care Actions Of Chronic Schizophrenics Associated With Meeting Solitude And Social Interaction Self-Care Requisites., James L. Harris

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Two Methods Of Dangling On Heart Rate And Blood Pressure In Postoperative Abdominal Hysterectomy Patients., Gretchen Montaree Schaefer Mcdaniel

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Job Satisfaction Among Nurse Educators., Janet Sue Brookman

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of The Factors Of Empowerment As Perceived By Persons With End-Stage Renal Failure., Laurie Ruth Murray

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Selected Variables And The Self-Esteem In Adolescent Females., Portia Lanette Foster

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Connecting: Meeting The Needs Of Family Caregivers., Shirley Rogers Rawlins

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Physiologic Response To Exercise In Clients With Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome., Elizabeth Wright Norris

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Of Knowledge And Health Locus-Of-Control Of Early Adolescent Males To The Use Of Smokeless Tobacco., Deborah Lynn Scott

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

The Lived Experience Of Staying Healthy In Rural Black Families., Carol Thompson Smith

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Self-Esteem In Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder., Anne Horlock Shealy

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

The Meaning Of Chronic Low Back Pain: A Phenomenological Study., Josie Allen Martin

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

The Influence Of Self-Selected Monotonous Sounds On The Night Sleep Pattern Of Postoperative Open Heart Surgery Patients., Joan Wolfe Williamson

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.

Relationship Between Actual And Perceived Physical Fitness In College Students, Barbara A. Barry

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Methylxanthines On Newborn Rat Respiration, Craig Gatto

Masters Theses

Methylxanthines (MX), such as theophylline, are commonly used in the treatment of recurrent apnea due to their stimulant effects on the respiratory center. Structure-activity studies have demonstrated that substitution of alkyl groups on the 3-position of the xanthine nucleus results in increased bronchodilator potency, while substitution on the 1-position is important for adenosine antagonism and CNS stimulation. Three different alkylxanthines were studied to determine the structural requirements for respiratory stimulation. Respiratory rates and volumes were determined in 4- to 7-day-old rats using a volume displacement body plethysmograph. Measurements were made before and at 5 minute intervals after subcutaneous (s.c.) injection …

Perceptions Of Registered Nurses Toward Two Patient Classification Systems, Sarah J. Follen

Masters Theses

Patient classification systems provide a means of delineating nursing activities that a patient requires. The majority of patient classification systems consist primarily of delegated services or functional tasks. Two other areas of nursing care, independent and interdependent services, are not a part of most workload measurement systems.; Two patient classification systems were developed for this study. One was designed using primarily delegated services, and the second designed according to the Clinical Practice Model of Nursing (Wesorick, 1988) and consisted of independent, interdependent, and delegated services. The researcher studied how registered nurses perceived each instrument: how acceptable was each instrument to …

Factors Associated With Chronic Fetal Malnutrition In A Guatemalan Population., Nancee Ruth Neel

All ETDs from UAB

No abstract provided.