Nursing Commons^™

Clinicians’ Perspectives On Adopting A Lung Cancer Palliative Care Intervention, Shaunna Siler

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Despite the significant progress in implementing palliative care interventions for cancer patients, few intervention studies seek healthcare clinicians’ input prior to implementation. The purpose of this research was then to explore palliative care and oncology clinicians’ (e.g., physicians, nurses, social workers, and chaplains) perspectives on current challenges and useful practices in meeting the quality of life needs of lung cancer patients and family caregivers, and to increase the likelihood of the adoption of a palliative care intervention based on understanding current trends in palliative care delivery at three outpatient oncology sites. The conceptual framework used for this study was the …

Hospice Care In Malaysia: Knowledge, Attitude And Time Of Discussion, Shanthi Ellen Solomon

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Despite available and adequate hospice care resources, fewer terminally ill patients in Malaysia use hospice care services than one might reasonably expect. It is reported that only around 10% of patients who die of terminal illness in Malaysia, die in hospice care (Devaraj, 2003). The projected number of individuals that should receive palliative care in Malaysia is 17 to 27% (Connor & Sepulveda Bermedo, 2014). In order to study why hospice care is not accessed as expected, nurses and doctors in Penang and Sabah completed a survey measuring knowledge of current hospice practices, attitude toward caring for the dying, personal …

Update - December 1999, Loma Linda University Center For Christian Bioethics

Update

In this issue:

-- John and Alice Wong establish bioethics endowment
-- Richard Rice receives Templeton Award
-- "Humans" and "Persons" in Christian Bioethics (Commentary)
-- Mechanically Restraining the Ill and Elderly: Ethical Problems and Proposals
-- Clinical Ethics Consultation
-- Learn to minister in the clinical setting

The Modified Index Of Severity Scale, Marion Gamundoy

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

[No Abstract Included]

The Effect Of Self-Help Support Groups On Self Esteem And Blood Glucose In Young Insulin-Dependent Diabetics, Linda L. Woertz

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Successful adaptation to diabetes is probably a function of many factors: the stress involved, the rewards, the motivation of the individual, and the self concept. The more optimal the self concept the more optimal the behavior may be. By helping the patient shape a positive self concept, a base can be built for blood glucose control (Bruhn, 1977, pp. 93-97). One method of improving self concept or self esteem may be through the development of self-help support groups for diabetics.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of self-help support group intervention on the levels of self …

A Comparison Of Self-Esteem And Health Locus Of Control In Adolescents With Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, Janice Mace

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study was a descriptive survey establishing a baseline level of self-esteem and health locus of control in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) adolescents. The purpose of the research was to study and describe health behaviors of IDDM adolescents in regards to self-concept and health locus of control. These behaviors are believed to have life-long ramifications on the IDDM adolescent's health status.

The sample consisted of 91 IDDM adolescents, 34 male and 57 female, in a nonrandom convenience cluster attending a 10-day summer camp.

Null hypothesis one was: Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus would make no difference at the .05 level …

Environmental Enrichment And Nursing Therapy With Comatose Patients : Two Case Studies, Marilyne R. Sayler

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

As a part of a larger research project with comatose patients the problem stated for this portion of the research study was to investigate the potential for identifying whether or not the quality of nursing care for comatose patients could be improved by nursing therapy with environmental enrichment and meaningful systematic orienting stimuli given by professional nurse clinicians and a patient's significant others. The effects of the orienting stimuli were measured by observable changes in arousal patterns in serial electroencephalograms (EEGs) , level of arousal as scored on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and selected measures of recovery outcome (RO). …

The Effect Of Natural Measures To Aid In Sleep As Compared With The Use Of Flurazepam 30 Milligrams As Seen In The Hospitalized Male Patient, Myra Ladd Thompson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Sleep is necessary for physical and psychological restoration of the body. Studies indicate that tissue repair is augmented during sleep, showing that rates of protein synthesis and of mitotic division are higher at times of rest and sleep. Studies evaluating sleep-deprived subjects reveal that after loss of normal sleep, some types of memory and learning processes are impaired. These subjects generally become anxious and irritable, especially after loss of dreaming sleep.

Sleeping medications have been implicated by observers and researchers to be a cause of altered sleep patterns. These medications not only disrupt normal sleep cycles, but their continued use …

A Study Of The Physiological And Mental Effects Of Various Shift Patterns On Registered Nurses, Carolyn Taylor Smith

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The effects of shift work on circadian I an rhythms has become a subject of great Interest to many industries, hospitals, and sleep researchers. More and more recognition is being given to the results of these studies, especially the possible adverse effects on those working the night shift or a shift they are unable to adapt to adequately. Only a few of these studies, however, have been conducted on registered nurses, a major group involved with shift work.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects on nurses working the a.m. shift (7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), …

The Effect Of 72 Consecutive Hours In The Coronary Care Unit On The Night Sleep Of 10 Patients Age 65 And Older, Eugenia J. Creason

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The prevalence of heart disease in the population over age 65 has contributed to the increasing number of aged patients hospitalized in critical care units (Gsell, 1977). Changes which occur in the process of aging and in cardiac disease should be considered when providing nursing care to these patients. A disturbance in the sleep wakefulness cycle resulting in a decrease of restorative sleep is a major change occurring at age 65 and after (Feinberg, 1967). The cardiac patient finds that it takes longer to go to sleep, and then awakens often during the night (Karacan et al., 1969).

Rome (1969) …

The Effects Of Systematic Relaxation On The Number Of Times Pain Medication Was Administered To Immobilized Traction Patients, Brenda Carol Armstrong

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

[Abstract Not Included]

The Relationship Of Locus Of Control Of The Diabetic Patient And Compliance With Medical Regimen, Lois Daniel

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The literature indicates that many diabetic patients do not adhere to their prescribed medical regimen and that there is a need to discover factors that stimulate compliant behavior. It has been proposed that the patient's decision to accept or reject treatment has many determinants. This study explored the effect of one such determinant, the locus of control (the source of the stimulus for a person's behavior). It was hypothesized that a person with an internal locus (one who believes his actions influence his future) would be more likely to comply with a medical regimen than one with an external locus …

The Effects Of Progressive Relaxation And Myoelectric Feedback On Respiratory Resistance In Bronchial Asthmatics, Daphne Browne Shah

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

For the individual with bronchial asthma, an asthmatic attack can be a life threatening experience. A theory of bronchial asthma as a conditioned response has been recently proposed by several investigators. It was suggested that this conditioned response may be modified by lowering the arousal level, and as a result, decreasing the asthmatic response.

The problem identified in this exploratory study was to measure the effects of relaxation on the smaller or peripheral airways of a convenience sample of six asthmatic subjects fourteen to seventy years of age. It was hypothesized that an increased degree of total body relaxation would …

Prenatal Instruction Of Breast Feeding Mothers, Anita Berry

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This experimental study tested the effect of prenatal instruction on the success of a group of mothers who desired to breast feed their infants. It was hypothesized that mothers receiving information on how to nurse their infants, how to prevent complications and how to cope with common problems of breast feeding would have a higher success rate than those not so instructed.

Criteria for success was that the mothers would have an adequate supply of milk to meet the nutritional demands of their infant without supplementation, would have fewer and less severe complications, and would express a higher degree of …

Depression In Elderly Men Following Transurethral Prostatectom, Brenda Leach Allocco

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study was concerned with the problem of depression among elderly patients following surgery. The purpose of the study was to find out if older men following transurethral prostatectomy experienced a higher level of depression than normal elderly people in the general population. An attempt was made in the study to suggest factors in the patients' illness or environment which may have influenced the amount of depression they experienced.

Thirty patients, sixty-five years or older, were included in the study sample. Depression was measured by a self-rating depression scale (Zung) three weeks following their operations. Other facts about the patients …

Health Status Of Emergency Department Patients, Marjean J. Horning

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to help nursing develop a comprehensive care system for patients in selected emergency departments. To develop such a system, it was necessary to know the characteristics of and the health needs of that population.

The problem of this study was to describe the characteristics and health needs of patients in selected emergency departments.

Patients were interviewed using the Kisch Health Status Proxy (KHSP) and the Health Habits Inventory (HHI) as a guide. The KHSP listed acute and chronic conditions that an individual experienced. It gave a numerical score which rated the respondent in good, …

Selected Factors Related To Ability To Regain Bladder Function Following Indwelling Catheterization, Jongkolnee Padmasiri

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This exploratory retrospective study was designed to evaluate selected factors, including the ability to regain bladder function related to post indwelling urethral catheterization in an acute general hospital population.

The records of 107 patients who met the study criteria became the study population. These patients had three-way urethral catheters, continuous antibacterial irrigation and closed drainage system. Twenty patients died (19 percent) before the catheter was removed. Of the 87 patients who were alive, 37 percent (32 patients) had in-adequate bladder function. Of these 32 patients, no attempt was made to remove the catheter from 15 prior to their hospital discharge. …

The Degree And Time-Course Of Stress In The Patient Undergoing Cardiac Surgery, Hulda Esther Serra, Patricia Jo Yvonne Tygret

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

An important nursing objective is to assist patients through stressful experiences. It has been assumed that cardiac surgery constitutes such a stress situation. For this reason, twenty-two patients undergoing cardiac surgery at Loma Linda University Hospital studied for the purpose of exploring the degree and time-course of were psychological stress.

The methodology consisted of administration of psychological tests before and after surgery; determination of urine catecholamines (UCA) before, during and after surgery; administration of a coping assessment tool before surgery, and a recall interview on the fifth day after surgery. The Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL)-Today form, and the …

Bacteriuria As A Precursor Of Intracatheter Encrustation, Namcy Moll

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The problem with which this study was concerned was the development of criteria that could be used to determine when urinary catheter changes were necessary. By determining when encrustation occurred, it was felt that some complications could be eliminated by changing catheters before obstruction occurred due to encrustation.

It was the purpose of this study to: 1) explore some indications for catheter change, 2) determine if encrustation of urinary catheters necessitates catheter change, and 3) estimate potential criteria for a routine time for catheter changes.

Forty-five catheters were examined after their removal from patients. Flow rates were determined on 33 …

A Comparison Of Various Teaching Methods For Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, B. Carol Altizer, Nancy S. Bailey

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to find out whether patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (C.O.P.D.) learn more from auditory or from visual teaching. Of the 30 patients in the sample, 10 used a programmed instruction booklet, 10 used a taped recording of the same programmed material and 10 were in a control group which received no specific teaching.

A pre-test was given to each of the patients who met the criteria for the study. One researcher gave the pre-test through an oral interview with the patient. After the pre-test, the patient received the teaching device assigned to him …

Cold For Relief Of Postoperative Limitation Of Activity Due To Incisional Pain, Haroldine Roberts

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study was concerned with testing the effectiveness of cold to aid the cholecystectomy patient in performing certain selected activities usually inhibited by incisional pain.

Available references of the effects of cold on the abdominal area were studied to formulate a method of approach as no previous methodology was found in the literature.

The experimental method of research was used on a sample of 18 cholecystectomy patients meeting the criteria for the study, independent variable for the 10 patients in the experimental the application of cold over the closed incision, plastic bag covered with one thickness of towel was used …

Adherence Of Men With Myocardial Infarction To Prescribed Exercise, Marsha Schwartz

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to find out if men with myocardial infarction followed exercise prescribed by the physician. The reasons the patients did or did not follow the exercise prescription were investigated.

An interview guide was used to gather the data for this exploratory study. The questions on the interview guide were designed to obtain information to compare the former exercise pattern of the patient to exercise after infarction. Adherence to the exercise prescription was also determined by the exercise reported in the interview. Fifteen male subjects who had myocardial infarction were interviewed in the hospital and after …

A Follow-Up Study Of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease And Their Practice Of The Breathing Pattern, A. Theodora Djagia

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this descriptive survey was to do a follow-up study on patients with COPD to find out to what extent these patients have followed instruction to continue exercising the abdominal and diaphragmatic muscles, with the utilization of a breathing pattern. Literature was reviewed which revealed contradictory findings in regard to the physiological benefits of the use of the breathing pattern. Nine patients met the criteria and signed a consent sheet to be visited in their homes. An Observation Data Sheet and Interview Guide were the tools used to collect data. A point system was constructed and used with …

Sensory Stimulation To Produce Micturition In The Cerebral Vascular Accident Patient, Mary Alice Pearce

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

An experimental study was conducted in a university and a convalescent hospital using eight female CVA patients with urinary incontinence to test the hypothesis that the experimental technique of icing and brushing LI dermatome skin area would increase the probability that the CVA patient would void within a prescribed time and place. A modified one group method was used in which the patient served as her own control by participating in two types of bladder training programs over an eight to twelve hour period for four consecutive days. Program A used the experimental technique; Program B omitted the experimental technique. …

Relationship Between Sleep Deprivation And Postpartum Depression, Janet Wagner

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Postpartum depression was thought to be an important component of maternity blues and was the factor explored in this study. Sleep was hypothesized as a factor affecting either the occurrence or severity of postpartum depression. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between sleep deprivation and postpartum depression.

Twenty patients were interviewed one to three weeks prior to their expected dates of delivery. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory Depression scale was administered during the interview and each patient kept a record of her hours of sleep during the following week. Each patient again kept a record …

Play Preparation For The Adeno-Tonsillectomy Patient, Carol Brown, Harriet Hecker

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Hospitalization and surgery have been recognized as being psychologically stressful for the majority of children. Hospital personnel have attempted to reduce some of the unnecessary psychological stress incurred by children by the use of many different methods. This study attempted to evaluate the use of preoperative play preparation sessions for minimizing this stress. The method was experimental with one variable. The subjects were forty-one children aged three and one-half to seven and one-half who had adeno-tonsillectomies. Twenty-one children comprising Group E were involved in a play session by the researchers. Twenty children were not prepared in this way. The tools …

Two Attempted Investigations Into The Complexities Of Staphylococcal Disease, Harriet M. Sands

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Two investigations were attempted to add insight into the multiple problems related to staphylococcal infections. A comparison study was made of the hospital expenses of a group of hospitalized patients whose apparently clean surgical wounds developed staphylococci, and a comparable group whose surgical wounds healed without infection.

A review of approximately one hundred medical records for the pilot study revealed three instances of staphylococcal infection in apparently clean surgical wounds. The three patients required 239 days of hospitalization at a total hospital cost of $13,702.11. The three comparable patients whose surgical wounds remained clean required 27 days hospitalization at a …

Motivating Factors In Completing Tetanus Immunization, Eva Mae Krohn Leech

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

It was the problem of this study to find out the number of people who were given tetanus antitoxin who did and did not initiate and complete tetanus immunization and to find out why they did or did not do so. The subjects were patients from two hospitals who had been given tetanus antitoxin sometime between January 1, 1963, and October 15, 1963. These subjects were contacted through the use of a questionnaire. The 75 who returned the questionnaire were considered respondents of the study.

This sample was composed primarily of men who were married and were members of the …

Morbidity, Growth And Development Of Prematurely-Born Twins In Early Childhood, Lynelle King

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study was concerned with the problem of determining the effect of twinship on the prematurely-born twin's growth and physical and emotional morbidity during early childhood. The immediate purposes of the study were to compare prematurely-born twins with prematurely-born singletons regarding their incidence and types of physical and emotional morbidity, and their growth during early childhood. It was hypothesized that prematurely-born twins have slower growth and more physical and emotional morbidity than prematurely born singletons. The descriptive survey method was used. From children cared for at a selected premature clinic, nineteen twins were matched with nineteen singletons for: race, sex, …

Sex And The Transurethral Prostatectomy, Edward T. Moon

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this research was to find out what effects the TURP has on ejaculatory ability, frequency of coitus and the emission of seminal fluid. The sample consisted of 50 men, age 46-65, who were married, and had no cancer or other possible physical causes for impotence. Each man was personally interviewed.

Forty-six patients (92 percent) were able to ejaculate. A decrease in the frequency of coitus was reported by 40 per cent of the men. A normal ejaculation of seminal fluid was experienced by thirteen (26 percent) of the men. Considering all the changes in the sexual function …