Nursing Commons^™

Assessment Of Pain Management As Perceived By Open Heart Surgery Patients, Amanda Lee Williford, Dr. Renea Beckstrand

Journal of Undergraduate Research

It is estimated that less than 50% of postoperative patients experience adequate pain management (Cater et al., 1999). Pain management is an important topic of study because patients tend to get well faster with the absence of pain. Pain is more than a physical discomfort or a physiological nuisance, as it affects a person in every aspect of his or her life. The mind-body connection theory explained by health psychologist Chino reasonably states that any disruption of the mental state of a patient influences him or her physically, and vice versa. Chino further explains that when patients are distressed by …

How Regular Exercise Decreases Student Anxiety, Heidi Earl, Dr. Gary Measom

Journal of Undergraduate Research

To carry out my project, I contacted the core nursing instructors and informed them of my research project, which they endorsed. Needing students to participate in the study, I visited the core nursing class and gave a brief overview of my project and solicited their participation. Approximately 48 students participated or contributed to this study regarding exercise and student anxiety.

The Relationship Between Select Demographic Characteristics And Body Mass Index Among Native Hawaiian And Other Pacific Islander Caregiving Adults, Jane Lassetter Phd, Rn, Lauren Clark Phd, Rn, Faan, Sharla E. Morgan Fnp, Lora Beth Brown Phd, Gwen Vanservellen Phd, Rn, Faan, Katrina Duncan Fnp, Betsy S. Hopkins

Faculty Publications

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islanders (NHOPIs) are people with genetic origins in Hawaii, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands (Hixson, Hepler, & Kim, 2012). NHOPI prevalence of overweight or obesity is among the highest in the world. Nauru, a Pacific Island nation, is considered the most obese country in the world with an overweight and obesity prevalence of 93% (WHO, 2011). Hawaii’s overall prevalence of overweight or obesity is 52.1%, but the prevalence for Native Hawaiian residents is 69.6% (Hawaii Department of Health, 2011). Inasmuch as NHOPIs are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the U.S. (Hixson et …

Factors That Influence The Development Of Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, And Compassion Satisfaction In Emergency Department Nurses, Stacie Hunsaker, Dale Maughan, Sondra Heaston

Faculty Publications

Purpose: The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to determine the prevalence of compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and burnout in emergency department nurses throughout the United States and (b) to examine which demographic and work-related components affect the development of compassion satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and burnout in this nursing specialty.

Design and Methods: This was a non-experimental, descriptive, and predictive study using a self-administrated survey. Survey packets including a demographic questionnaire and the Professional Quality of Life Scale version 5 (ProQOL 5) were mailed to 1,000 selected emergency nurses throughout the United States. The ProQOL 5 scale was used …

Intraosseous Vascular Access For Alert Patients, Stacie Hunsaker

Faculty Publications

Nurses are often faced with the challenge of starting an IV line in a patient who is dehydrated, has suffered trauma, or is in shock. Even the efforts of the most skilled clinician may fail, while valuable time is lost. Intraosseous access is a rapid, safe, and effective route for delivering fluids and medications, and is recommended by numerous professional and specialty organizations for both pediatric and adult patients. Yet many clinicians remain unaware of the procedure. This article outlines the procedure and devices used, describes support for use in the literature, and discusses various considerations and nursing implications.

Intraosseous Vascular Access For Alert Patients, Stacie Hunsaker

Faculty Publications

Nurses are often faced with the challenge of starting an IV line in a patient who is dehydrated, has suffered trauma, or is in shock. Even the efforts of the most skilled clinician may fail, while valuable time is lost. Intraosseous access is a rapid, safe, and effective route for delivering fluids and medications, and is recommended by numerous professional and specialty organizations for both pediatric and adult patients. Yet many clinicians remain unaware of the procedure. This article outlines the procedure and devices used, describes support for use in the literature, and discusses various considerations and nursing implications.

Nurses’ Self-Report Of Behavior Changes Following Needlestick Or Other Sharp Instrument Injuries, Lucille Christensen Woolston, Dr. Renea L. Beckstrand

Journal of Undergraduate Research

My research questions regarded needlestick and sharp instrument injuries, how many were reported, and what behavior changes have been made following the injury. I approached nurse managers at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center and gave surveys to nurses in staff meetings. I received results that I expected. I found most injuries that are not reported are clean injuries and so the staff feels the injuries are not worth reporting.

Parent And Child Perceptions Of Clinical Trials, Jaclyn F. Wood, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this research project was to determine parental perceptions surrounding the involvement of their children in a clinical trial. A secondary purpose was to talk to the children and obtain their perceptions surrounding their own involvement in the clinical trial. For this ORCA funded project I analyzed interviews with the parents to find out their perceptions. In a future project (for which I will be applying for an ORCA grant) I hope to analyze interviews with the children and gain their insight into their involvement in the clinical trial.

Siblings Of Children With Down Syndrome: Perceptions Of Their Experiences, Allison Ash Malnar, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Approximately 350,000 families in the United States are affected by Down syndrome, and the vast majority of these families include one or more nondisabled children (National Down Syndrome Society, 1999). Because of this, many researchers are interested in how this disability affects the family. Marsha Van Riper (1999) writes, “…While the birth of a child with Down syndrome involves a ‘change of plans’ for families, it does not have to be a negative experience. In fact for many families, it is a positive, growth producing experience” (p. 3). While much research in the past concerned interviewing parents of children with …

Patients’ Perceptions Of Mechanical Ventilation: What Hurt And What Helped?, Lisa M. Ewert, Dr. Renea Beckstrand

Journal of Undergraduate Research

When a patient is on a ventilator, it’s the critical care nurse’s role to recognize and respond to any factors that cause the patient distress. Anytime a patient is ill, the illness causes both physiological and emotional stress. However, an acute illness that is severe enough to require mechanical ventilation intensifies the physical and psychological distress with which the patient and their family must cope (1).

Assessment Of Family Satisfaction Of Intensive Care Unit Experience, Breann Brady, Dr. Joan Baldwin

Journal of Undergraduate Research

When a patient enters the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the experience is stressful and traumatic, for both the patient and their family members. The fast paced environment may seem scary to those unfamiliar with it. Families are left in a waiting room, only to enter and see their loved one in a strange environment full of equipment and beeping machinery. The family is sometimes left confused and unsure of what is happening in the care of their loved one. Nurses need to be aware of families’ needs. By meeting their needs, nurses can be invaluable to families of ICU patients.

Perceptions Of The Maintenance Of Dignity In Women Giving Birth, Rachel Matthews, Dr. Lynn Callister

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Entering a hospital is often an intimidating and stressful event for patients. They enter a world about which they often know very little. They may enter with apprehension about the unknown, their illness, or excitement about starting a new phase of life with the birth of a child. As they are experiencing the unknown, patients are often put into situations where they are told what to do and when to do it, sometimes with little or no explanation. Tasks that health care personnel consider routine are not only unfamiliar, but also are often very invasive, leaving patients feeling uncomfortable, helpless, …

Pain Assessment In Pediatric Post-Tonsillectomy Patients, Tamara Baird, Dr. Renea L. Beckstrand

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A nurse’s obligation to manage pain and relieve patients’ suffering is an integral part of the commitment to patient care. Adequate pain assessment and management benefits the patient by shortening the hospital stay, speeding recovery, reducing costs, and promoting physical activity. Specific populations who may have difficulty communicating their pain require special attention, especially children. Although many effective techniques are available for pain management in children, studies indicate that their pain is managed less well than pain in adults (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 1992).

How Is Nursing Facing The Nursing Faculty Shortage?, J. R. Meadows, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A severe nursing shortage has been growing across the United States over the past six years and the outlook on immediate signs of recovery is bleak. It has become an increasing worry to the federal and state governments, nurses, health-care providers and hospitals, current nursing students, and nursing schools. Despite efforts, the need for nurses continues to rise, tabulating to 75% of all hospital personnel vacancies. Nursing schools and colleges are faced with the dilemma of how to produce more nursing faculty while health-care providers are making decisions on how to recruit more nurses to their institutions.

The Voices Of Armenian Childbearing Women, Zaruhi Ulikhanyan, Dr. Lynn Callister

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Dramatic socio-political and economic shifts which have occurred in Eastern Europe in the past decade have significantly influenced the health of women and newborns. High unemployment rates, low salaries, and inability to support more than one child are common challenges for women and families. High rates of abortion and most families having only one child has resulted in a declining population in Armenia. In addition, health care for women in Eastern Europe has been seriously fragmented since the fall of Communism compounded by a lack of health care resources.

Orca, Dustin Griner

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Research and clinical practice has taught us that the first twenty-eight days of an infant’s life are critical. During this time, rapid growth should occur both physiologically and mentally. Retardation of growth during this critical time in the infant’s life leads to future undesirable ramifications. The main goal during this period, is to provide sufficient nutrients both parentally and enterally.

Femoroacetabular Impingement: A Guide To Diagnosis In Primary Care, Alec Rimmasch Jr., Patricia K. Ravert

Faculty Publications

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) has been a diagnosis for approximately a decade in the medical field. Although FAI was once considered uncommon, it is now documented as 1 of the most common hip disorders. FAI is a variance or overgrowth within the femoral head neck space, acetabular ring, labrum, or cartilage. Patients with FAI frequently present in a general practice setting and endure months of pain and physical therapy before a correct diagnosis is ascertained. Understanding FAI and appropriate treatment and diagnostic procedures will facilitate early diagnosis in the primary care setting, providing the best chance for patient recovery.

Explanations For An Increased Cesarean Birth Rate In Guayaquil, Ecuador, Melissa Kemp, Dr. Sheri Palmer

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Over 850,000 unnecessary C-sections are performed each year in Latin America (Belizán, Althabe, Barros, & Alexander, 1999). According to a recent annual report of the Sotomayor Maternity Hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador, 58% of total births were cesarean (Junta de B., 2004). In comparison, the overall cesarean rate in the U.S. (which is also high according to medical recommendations) is reported to be about 27% (NCHS, 2003). Unnecessary cesarean sections have resulted in increased infection, hemorrhage, damage to abdominal and urinary tract organs, drug complications, prematurity, increased neonatal illness, and longer hospitalization (Sloan et al, 2000). These reported rates in Ecuador …

Nursing Practice In Tucumán, Argentina As Seen By An American Nursing Student, Heather Merie Buzbee, Catherine Coverston

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nurses form the backbone of healthcare systems around the globe. Unfortunately, throughout the world there is a nursing shortage (WHO, 2004). Argentina, like many other nations throughout the world, is a country struggling with the current shortage. The most recent statistics show that in Argentina there is one nurse to every 1851.9 people (PAHO, 1998). In comparison, in the United States, where the nursing shortage is often in the news, the nurse to population ratio is 1 to 102.9, meaning that there are proportionally nearly eighteen times more nurses in the U.S. as in Argentina (WHO 2004).

Family Adaptation To Children With Chronic Conditions In East London, South Africa, Aimee Latta, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Raising children with chronic conditions often is a source of stress on the family unit . While many studies in the past conducted in South Africa have focused on the etiology or disease process itself, the effects of the children’s condition on family adaptation and daily life have frequently been overlooked. Further, out of the estimated 2,100,000 children world wide who are living with HIV/AIDS, 1,900,000 are residing in Sub-Saharan Africa . Due to this escalating number, the effects of children who are living with HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa on family life cannot go unnoticed. In addition, by increasing awareness …

Nursing Research: What Do Undergraduate Nursing Students Know About Research And How To Get Involved In Present Research?, Kirk A. Roberts, Dr. Joan Baldwin

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Research is an integral part of any profession. The profession of Nursing uses research as a means to improve patient care and enhance the quality of nursing practice. The College of Nursing also uses nursing research as a “thread” in the complete woven picture of nursing practice. Yet this “thread” typically has been reserved for faculty and graduate students. Undergraduate students have lacked the knowledge of how to become involved therefore have maintained that research is strictly for faculty and graduate students.

Sleep Deprivation And Subsequent Nursing Errors In The Hospital Setting, Whitney L. O'Reilly, Catherine Coverston

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The current state of health care in America presents some difficult problems with its increased need for nurses along with a significant nursing shortage. There is an approaching aging baby-boomer population along with an aging nurse population resulting in increased nurse workloads and fewer nurses to manage them. Many nurses work longer hours with more patients and pick up extra shifts to make up for the decreased employees. Their sleep is what suffers. As a young nursing student, I began to see and experience for myself the effects of fatigue on nursing care during long 12-hour shifts. I became incredulous …

Attitudes Toward Hpv Vaccination Among Utah Parents, Michelle Onofrio, Dr. Erin Maughan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In 2006, the FDA approved a vaccine that prevents cervical cancer by guarding against the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV), which is responsible for 99% of cases of cervical cancer. The vaccine, called Gardasil, is currently routinely recommended for girls age 11-12 years. Because routine vaccination is recommended for such a young age group, parents will largely determine the success of Gardasil. Although research has indicated acceptance of the vaccine among parents has been high, a number of parental concerns have been raised which may still alter nationwide vaccine support. Due to Utah’s low childhood immunization rates and largely conservative …

Student Satisfaction With Simulation Experiences, Angeline Abdo, Dr. Patricia Ravert

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Background: Patient simulators are used in some nursing schools to simulate patient scenarios. Methods: Nursing students participated in five sessions using the simulator and completed a student perception instrument. Results: Participants felt the experiences recreated real-life situations and then tested clinical decision-making. The results indicated an increase in their confidence when going into the real clinical setting and the experience prepared them for the “real-life” clinical setting. Conclusions: Overall patient simulator experiences enhance learning. Further research regarding student perceptions and instrument validation would contribute to an understanding of the use of patient simulators in nursing education.

Assessment Of Hand Washing Techniques In The Emergency Room, Through Observation And Survey, As A Determinant Of The High Nosocomial Infection Rate At The Luis Vernaza General Hospital In Guayaquil, Ecuador, Susan Hardy, Dr. Sheri Palmer

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Hospital acquired infections, or nosocomial infections, have been recognized by experts such as Semmelweiss, Holmes, Nightingale, and Lister as a critical problem world wide for over 150 years. These infections greatly affect the quality of patient care provided in the hospitals. A hospital acquired infection is defined as an infection for which there is no presence of at the time of admission (Creedon, 2005). These infections are one of the leading causes of morbidity, mortality and prolonged hospital stays; resulting in extra costs to patients and health services (Panhotra, 2005). Transmission of microorganisms via the hands of health care workers …

An Investigation Of The Perceptions Of Women Three To Nine Months After A Childbirth Experience, Ethel Tovar, Dr. Lynn C. Callister

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A woman’s childbirth experience is unique and can have a lasting impact, initially affecting neonatal care and impacting perspectives on the childbirth experience . This experience can be perceived as an overwhelming event for primiparous mothers, which can lead to a sense of vulnerability. For this reason, at the time of delivery, birth plan decisions may be malleable.

Child Perceptions Of Clinical Trials, Jaclyn F. Wood, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this research project was to talk to children who participated in a clinical trial and obtain their perceptions surrounding their own involvement in the clinical trial. In a previous ORCA funded project I analyzed interviews with the parents to find out their perceptions. In this project I conducted interviews with the children and gained their insight concerning their involvement in the clinical trial.

Developmental Care: Strengthening Infants And Families In Egypt, Meredith D. Burt, Catherine Coverston

Journal of Undergraduate Research

There is a striking and jarring difference between the world in the womb and the outside world. This great difference in environments can be very stressful on preterm and newborn infants. There is significant emphasis in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) on medical interventions to support and protect underdeveloped organs. Nutritional and environmental needs have received less attention. However, significant work is being done in both these areas. This project focuses on the effects of environmental factors.

Childbirth And Hiv, A Comprehensive Study Of South African Women, Karen Duke, Dr. Lynn Callister

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The birthing time is often one of great joy and anticipation, and is a significant juncture in any woman’s life. What is said and done for a woman during this intense time period can be critical in either improving a woman’s experience and ability to mother, or destroying it.

Birth Methods And The Incidence Of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome-Sids, Luiz H. Meneghin, Dr. Debra Hobbins

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), also called crib death, refers to the sudden, unexpected death of any infant or young child in whom a postmortem examination fails to demonstrate a cause for death. It is the greatest single cause of death among infants between 1 week and 1 year of age.1 Many studies have identified risk factors associated with SIDS (low birth weight, preterm delivery, maternal smoking, winter months, positioning during sleep, male gender, etc.), however, no studies were found regarding the method of birth and the incidence of SIDS. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation …