Digestive, Oral, and Skin Physiology Commons^™

Investigating The Role Of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine For Cancer Symptom Management In Older Adults: A Rapid Review, Isabelle C. Karshner

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Patients with cancer often experience symptoms related to disease, complications, and treatment. One potential method of alleviating these symptoms is traditional Chinese herbal medications (TCHM). This rapid review explores the role of traditional Chinese herbal medications in treating cancer-related symptoms in older adults.

Purpose: The purpose of this rapid review is to gain and provide a better understanding of the effects of TCHM on cancer-symptom management in the older adult population. This review explores the association between TCHM and effects on cancer symptoms in older adults, including interactions, toxicity, and signs/symptoms of TCHM use that may be useful information …

A Hard Problem: Managing Constipation In The Geriatric Population, William G. Jones, Veeraen Jonnalagadda, Alexandra E. Thomson, Victoria Grumbles, Chase Cottle, Christian Robertson, Maulikkumar Patel

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Constipation is a common condition among geriatric patients with different presenting symptoms and potential serious complications. Additionally, the condition causes a significant burden on our healthcare system. Here, we summarized recommendations from several societies, including the American College of Gastroenterology, American Geriatrics Society, and American Academy of Family Physicians to provide guidance on managing constipation with geriatric patients. Our aim was to emphasize the importance of prevention of constipation in this population and methods to do so. We also give recommendations on how to manage constipation when it does develop and how to manage it across different healthcare settings. These …

Impact Of Aromatherapy On Surgical Patients' Perceived Nausea And Vomiting, John Brennan, Ryan Brennan Bs, Sue Garrison Ma, Bsn, Rn, Cheryl Green, Evelyn Jacovino Msn, Rn, Cmsnl, Cynthia Martins Msn, Rn, Shelly Simonet Bsn, Rn, Jannet Serra Ma, Bsn, Rn, Beth Williams Dnp, Rn, Ec-Bc, Andrew Quito Bsn, Mba

Posters

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is the most common adverse effect of surgery. In the United States, it is estimated that 20- 30% of all surgical encounters, or 75 million Americans yearly experience some form of PONV. Holistic management of PONV has the potential to save a significant amount of resources when compared to standard treatment modalities (Amirshahi et al., 2020; Asay et al., 2019).

Prior to implementation of this quality improvement project, it was estimated that roughly 20% of orthopedic surgery patients at Bridgeport Hospital Milford Campus experienced PONV, a serious practice concern. The goal of this project was …

Screening For Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport (Reds) And The Female Athlete Triad In Female Undergraduate Collegiate Athletes: A Quality Improvement Project, Maria A. Marziano

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

This quality improvement (QI) project investigated female collegiate athletes’ knowledge and prevalence of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) and the Female Athlete Triad (Triad). The increase in female athletics brings a growing concern for performance-related health risks, including low energy availability (LEA), menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density (BMD). This study assessed the effectiveness of education and self-screening in identifying at-risk athletes and encouraging resource application for intervention. A mixed-methods design was employed, utilizing retrospective data along with pre- and post-intervention surveys. The study involved 33 female collegiate athletes from lean endurance sports, assessing knowledge, risk factors, and …

Reducing The Incidence Of Nosocomial Aspiration Pneumonia In Adult Oncology Patients Through Improved Compliance With Oral Hygiene Protocols, Rickey Maung

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy are at increased risk of mucosal barrier injuries and aspiration pneumonia, with current aspiration pneumonia rates exceeding target levels. Enhanced oral hygiene protocols and improved compliance have been shown to reduce these complications in this vulnerable population.

Context: The microsystem under review comprises six oncology units within Hospital A, a major medical center in California. Aspiration pneumonia, frequently linked to mucosal barrier injuries, poses a significant threat to patient safety and increases treatment costs and complications in oncology care. Recognizing the critical need to address this issue, an aspiration pneumonia task force has prioritized efforts …

Advancing School Nursing Practice: A Novel Approach To Screening For Gastrointestinal Disorders In Children, Ashley Bunting, Isabella Cavlan

Nursing | Senior Theses

Background: Currently, mandated health screenings in California schools are limited to vision, hearing, and scoliosis; this leaves several other body systems unmonitored during the crucial years of childhood development. One such system is the gastrointestinal (GI) system, which plays a vital role in the normal growth, nutrition status, development, and overall health of children. Objective: By developing and implementing a GI-specific screening tool in the outpatient school setting, this research aims to increase the detection of GI disorders in children. Not only that, but school nurses can use this novel screening tool to promote early diagnosis, intervention, and …

Advancing School Nursing Practice: A Novel Approach To Screening For Gastrointestinal Disorders In Children, Ashley Bunting, Isabella Cavlan

Nursing | Student Research Posters

California schools currently only screen for vision and hearing, leaving many other health concerns unaddressed. Among these, gastrointestinal (GI) health is particularly significant, as digestive disorders can lead to severe consequences, like malnutrition and stunted growth. By incorporating routine GI screenings, school nurses can promote the early detection of disease, allowing for timely intervention and improved health outcomes in children.

Based on existing literature, we have developed a novel pediatric GI screening tool for school nurses to use in routine screenings, presented below.

Reducing Food Scarcity: The Benefits Of Urban Farming, S.A. Claudell, Emilio Mejia

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Urban farming can enhance the lives of communities and help reduce food scarcity. This paper presents a conceptual prototype of an efficient urban farming community that can be scaled for a single apartment building or an entire community across all global geoeconomics regions, including densely populated cities and rural, developing towns and communities. When deployed in coordination with smart crop choices, local farm support, and efficient transportation then the result isn’t just sustainability, but also increasing fresh produce accessibility, optimizing nutritional value, eliminating the use of ‘forever chemicals’, reducing transportation costs, and fostering global environmental benefits.

Imagine Doris, who is …

Oral Carbohydrate Administration Prior To Colorectal Surgery: Practice Change Outcomes And Economic Analysis, Joshua Kendrick Ezelle

Doctoral Projects

Difference in recovery times has been an interest of mine for many years. I observed that an open heart surgery routinely recovered and discharged on the third post-op day, while a colorectal patient often required a hospital stay of five to ten days. I began researching recovery methods of colorectal patients. I found enhanced recovery techniques like decreased narcotic, use of NSAID’s, early ambulation, and the use of medications that assist with bowel peristalsis are being employed nationally. Other techniques are now starting to be used with positive results. One of these is Carb-loading. Carb-loading is the oral intake of …

Restoring Digestive Health, Kristin M. Corbin, Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-C

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Translational and Clinical Research Projects

Purpose: The purpose of this translational research project was to outline the healthcare problems associated with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and to explore the effectiveness of a gastrointestinal protocol utilized at Atlanta Center for Holistic and Integrative Medicine. The goal of this protocol is to restore digestive health with probiotics, digestive enzymes, and glutamine.

Background: Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders affect one in every four adults in the United States. These disorders encompass a variety of symptoms including diarrhea, constipation, cramping, abdominal pain, flatulence, reflux, and bloating without an identified physiological cause. There is currently no cure for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and treatment …

Effect Of Between-Meal Eating On Stomach Emptying Time, Bernice Peterson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

As yet there is little agreement among health workers as to whether the practice of between-meal eating is harmful, beneficial, or indifferent in its influence on health. Studies which have been done heretofore on between-meal eating have been concerned with the effects on growth, appetite, daily nutrient intake, regularity, body metabolism, overweight, work efficiency, and dental caries. It appears that the possible physiological effects of between-meal eating have been only partially explored. The problem of this study was the effect of eating between meals on stomach emptying time.

The effect of between-meal eating on the emptying time of the stomach …