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Articles 541 - 570 of 605

Full-Text Articles in Nursing

Goals Of Exclusive Breastfeeding And The Effectiveness Of Programs And Initiatives In Attaining Them, Natalie Scott Jan 2017

Goals Of Exclusive Breastfeeding And The Effectiveness Of Programs And Initiatives In Attaining Them, Natalie Scott

Senior Honors Theses

Over recent years, breastfeeding has gained renewed significance in research and practice. Both in the United States and around the world, especially in poor countries that do not have easy access to quality healthcare, breastfeeding has been shown to dramatically and positively affect the health and lifespan of infants. However, there is still a low prevalence of effective breastfeeding practices universally. Even with the presence of global programs and goals that are geared toward exclusive breastfeeding habits, global rates are lower than what is desired. There are various determinants of breastfeeding that factor into a woman’s decision and practice of …


An Examination Into The Relationship Between Iron Deficiency And Postpartum Depression, Sara A. Burroughs Dec 2016

An Examination Into The Relationship Between Iron Deficiency And Postpartum Depression, Sara A. Burroughs

Senior Honors Theses

Postpartum depression is recognized as the most common complication of childbearing; however, its etiology remains fairly undetermined. Many different influences have been hypothesized as to what may cause postpartum depression, including changes in levels of various hormones (such as estrogen and progesterone), a decrease in serotonin, low levels of vitamin D, social factors, and iron deficiency. The lack of strong evidence for one specific cause makes it fairly clear that there are many factors that play a role in the development of postpartum depression. Iron deficiency is one issue that is thought to contribute to the development of postpartum depression …


Nursing Students’ Perceptions Of How Working As Nursing Assistants Impacts Their Education, Jerry Harvey Aug 2016

Nursing Students’ Perceptions Of How Working As Nursing Assistants Impacts Their Education, Jerry Harvey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to develop an understanding of how working as a nursing assistant impacts the ability of nursing students to meet the high demands of school during their junior year of a Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) pre-licensure program. Benner’s Novice to Expert Theory, Situated Learning Theory, and the Johari Window Communication Model each suggested that immersing oneself in the culture of nursing would have positive outcomes for the student working as a nursing assistant. A qualitative phenomenological design was used to explore the following research questions: (a) What are the unique experiences of …


Comparative Look At The Depression Treatment Modalities Of Cognitive, Teresa M. Page Jul 2016

Comparative Look At The Depression Treatment Modalities Of Cognitive, Teresa M. Page

Doctoral Dissertations and Scholarly Projects

This integrative review provides a comparative view of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy (PCT) as treatment modalities for adult depression. The foci of this integrative review are to examine research articles on CBT and PCT to determine which therapy, monotherapy or combination therapy, provide a higher level of therapy for depression. The metrics utilized are depression symptom remission, response to therapy, recovery from depression, and quality of life. Individual preference and response to treatment vary. This makes the reader more aware that specific populations may be more receptive to one therapy instead of the other.


Patient Perceptions Of The Caring Environment, Kathryn M. Miller Jul 2016

Patient Perceptions Of The Caring Environment, Kathryn M. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Scholarly Projects

As health management information system technology at the point of care increases to ensure greater efficiency, effectiveness and patient safety, the impact of such technology needed to be explored for impact on the nurse-patient dyad, and patient perception of the caring environment. This evidence-based practice pilot project based on the Iowa Model of Evidence- Based Practice to Promote Quality Care utilized quasi-experimental methodology to measure implication of mobile computer workstations at the point of care and sought to answer if an evidence-based practice change of ergonomic use surrounding technology improved patient perceptions of the caring environment. Significance of the pilot …


Health Literacy Assessment And Chronic Disease: An Integrative Review, Dana S. Woody Jul 2016

Health Literacy Assessment And Chronic Disease: An Integrative Review, Dana S. Woody

Doctoral Dissertations and Scholarly Projects

Health literacy is a matter of grave concern in health care today. Defined as more than the ability to read and write, it involves obtaining, processing, and understanding health information. Yet it is a concept often misunderstood and overlooked in the environment of professional care. Specifically, low health literacy in the setting of chronic disease has proven to be a challenging and costly phenomena. Given the high prevalence of chronic disease, there is a pressing need for health care providers to acknowledge this subject matter in care delivery. This integrative review provides a synthesis of published evidence identifying and clarifying …


Reducing Medication Errors In The Acute Care In-Patient Setting: An Integrative Review, Ronni T. Rothwell Jul 2016

Reducing Medication Errors In The Acute Care In-Patient Setting: An Integrative Review, Ronni T. Rothwell

Doctoral Dissertations and Scholarly Projects

Promoting a culture of safety in healthcare organizations has become a necessary goal to ensure that patients are safe, well cared for, and satisfied with the services they receive. One of the areas recognized as a major safety concern across hospitals in the United States and abroad are medication errors, which continue to occur at a staggering rate. This integrative review seeks to serve two purposes to combat this pandemic problem. First, the project will attempt to determine if an appropriate intervention or strategic initiative exists that can reduce medications errors for adult patients on an acute care patient unit …


The Effects Of Iron Deficiency Anemia And Iron Supplementation In Pregnancy, Anna J. Cox Apr 2016

The Effects Of Iron Deficiency Anemia And Iron Supplementation In Pregnancy, Anna J. Cox

Senior Honors Theses

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a condition that occurs in both underdeveloped and developed countries worldwide. This disorder is diagnosed in an individual who presents the common signs and symptoms of anemia along with consistently low clinical markers of stored iron. Iron deficiency (ID) usually precedes a diagnosis of IDA as the insufficient amount of iron often goes undetected until one’s quality of life is diminished. Certain populations, such as women who are pregnant or of reproductive age, are particularly at risk for ID and the development of IDA. During pregnancy, the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for iron is greater …


The Presence Of Stem Cells In Human Breast Milk And Research Implications, Melody (Brooke) Peterson Apr 2016

The Presence Of Stem Cells In Human Breast Milk And Research Implications, Melody (Brooke) Peterson

Senior Honors Theses

Stem cell therapy research is an expanding area of study as stem cell therapy is believed to have the potential to provide treatment options for numerous disease processes. Currently, embryonic stem cell research is the method of choice to evaluate the potential for stem cell therapy. The use of human embryos for stem cell research raises moral and ethical controversies. Stem cells are found in a variety of mediums, but until the recent discovery of stem cells in human breast milk, the most versatile stem cells have been those found in the human embryo. Human breast milk stem cells could …


The Utilization Of Exogenous Surfactant In The Neonate, Katherine Thorkildsen Apr 2016

The Utilization Of Exogenous Surfactant In The Neonate, Katherine Thorkildsen

Senior Honors Theses

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is a common consequence of pulmonary immaturity in the lungs of neonates. RDS is the result of the deficient secretion of endogenous surfactant, causing increased surface tension in the alveolar sacs leading to respiratory compromise. RDS is more common in the preterm neonate but can be experienced by neonates at any gestational age. Treatment for RDS formerly consisted of mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy to treat and relieve symptoms but not the cause. A new treatment method, developed largely in the 1980s and 90s is the use of exogenous surfactant to treat the deficiency exhibited in …


Is Dietary Intervention A Viable Method For Improving Outcomes In Adult Patients With Asthma?, Jennifer Grolimund Apr 2016

Is Dietary Intervention A Viable Method For Improving Outcomes In Adult Patients With Asthma?, Jennifer Grolimund

Senior Honors Theses

Asthma is a disease process characterized by episodic inflammation of the lower airway in response to various triggers. Those with asthma have trouble breathing effectively during an acute episode, making asthma a potentially life threatening condition. Standard medical treatment of asthma, including medications and environmental changes, can be effective at reducing or eliminating negative outcomes in patients with asthma. However, a holistic approach to patient care, including an examination of dietary influence, may also be useful for patients trying to manage the course of their illness. Variations in intake of individual nutrients or in total dietary patterns may play a …


Training Traditional Birth Attendants In Sub-Saharan Africa, Lindsey J. Smith Apr 2016

Training Traditional Birth Attendants In Sub-Saharan Africa, Lindsey J. Smith

Senior Honors Theses

Even after many adjustments, recommended practice regarding traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and their contribution to lowering the maternal mortality rate (MMR) continues to be disputed among various stakeholders. Sub-Saharan Africa continues to see high maternal mortality rates, despite various attempts by the World Health Organization (WHO) and others at utilizing the formal health care system (Prata, et al., 2011). Considering all factors and variables behind the reason for this problem in Sub-Saharan African, it is reasonable to conclude that training traditional birth attendants (TBAs) in evidence-based practice, in conjunction with developing longer-term strategies, is an appropriate approach for the short …


Faith Community Nursing: Bridging The Gap Between Effective Healthcare And Biblical Ministry, Moriah Kenna Apr 2016

Faith Community Nursing: Bridging The Gap Between Effective Healthcare And Biblical Ministry, Moriah Kenna

Senior Honors Theses

The United States’ traditional health care system is unprepared to combat the growing rates of chronic illness in its population. With over 90% of those aged 66 years and older living with a chronic illness, an emphasis on preventative care must be enacted. Faith community nursing is a viable and effective option for long-term preventative management of chronic illnesses in the community. Faith community nursing fits both the mission of the Christian church and the needs of the healthcare community and greater awareness of this must be achieved in both the faith and healthcare sectors to bring about maximum results.


Embryo Adoption As An Ethical Option For Couples Faced With Infertility, Rachel M. Walters Apr 2016

Embryo Adoption As An Ethical Option For Couples Faced With Infertility, Rachel M. Walters

Senior Honors Theses

Embryo adoption takes embryos that are still forming and introduces them into the uterus of a woman with whom they do not share any genetic material. If pregnancy does ensue and continues without complications, the child that will be born will not share any genes with the woman who carried him or her. In addition, if the child is born to parents who already have other children, the children in the adoptive family will share no biological link to the newborn. Essentially, the child will have two families—a biological family and an adoptive family. This thesis will explore and discuss …


A Causal-Comparative Inquiry Into The Significance Of Implementing A Flipped Classroom Strategy In Nursing Education, Rhonda Faretta Apr 2016

A Causal-Comparative Inquiry Into The Significance Of Implementing A Flipped Classroom Strategy In Nursing Education, Rhonda Faretta

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this causal-comparative design study was to examine the application of the theory of Vygotsky’s social constructivism (1978) and McMillan and Chavis’s (1986) definition of sense of classroom community in the context of a flipped classroom. The researcher aimed to determine if a pathophysiology course taught with the flipped classroom method would result in a statistically-significant difference in nursing students’ academic performance and sense of classroom community when compared to a pathophysiology course taught with the lecture classroom method. Two questions were addressed during this study: (a) Is there a statistically-significant difference in nursing students’ academic performance (as …


Horizontal Violence Effect On Nurse Retention, Victoria M. Cox Jan 2016

Horizontal Violence Effect On Nurse Retention, Victoria M. Cox

Doctoral Dissertations and Scholarly Projects

Horizontal violence is known by a variety of terms such as lateral violence, bullying, and incivility. Christie and Jones (2014) describe lateral violence as a problem in nursing where a behavior is demonstrated through harmful actions that occur between nurses. Studies have revealed how horizontal violence affects nurse retention. Horizontal violence is a relevant issue in the healthcare community, yet often goes undiscussed. Walrafen (2012) explains that an outcome of horizontal violence in nursing is directly proportional to a decrease in retention of nurses. Sherman (2012) proclaimed that nurses who are subjected to horizontal violence have low self-esteem, depression, excessive …


Implementation Of Teamstepps, Trynequa S. Jones Jan 2016

Implementation Of Teamstepps, Trynequa S. Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Scholarly Projects

This scholarly project focused on implementing Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) in an emergency room (ER). The aim of TeamSTEPPS is to improve patient outcomes by educating healthcare professionals on communication and teamwork skills. TeamSTEPPS teaches healthcare professionals leadership skills, shared mental models, mutual trust, and closed loop communication. The purpose of the scholarly project was to improve teamwork and communication. The study method was descriptive analysis of 51 pre and posttest questionnaires, specifically looking for increased knowledge of TeamSTEPPS tools. The participants included: ER physicians, ER nurses, ER certified nursing assistants/health unit coordinators, …


Prenatal Alcohol And Nicotine Exposure And The Subsequent Cognitive And Behavioral Deficits Seen In Children, Abigail P. Stewart Jan 2016

Prenatal Alcohol And Nicotine Exposure And The Subsequent Cognitive And Behavioral Deficits Seen In Children, Abigail P. Stewart

Senior Honors Theses

Prenatal alcohol and nicotine exposure have well known physiological effects on the fetus. However, it is the goal of this thesis to inform the reader of of the deleterious effects that these substances can have on cognitive and behavioral development in children. A literature review in relation to this topic was conducted through online databases using key words. Though some of the results were inconsistent, enough evidence exists for women to be educated on the increased risks for cognitive and behavioral deficits in children exposed to alcohol and nicotine in utero.


Osteoporosis In Men, Seunggee Hong Nov 2015

Osteoporosis In Men, Seunggee Hong

Senior Honors Theses

Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease that is characterized by a decrease in bone mass and density. Osteoporosis can occur in both genders. Women are more likely to be diagnosed with osteoporosis. Since men have larger bones than women, it is difficult to diagnose osteoporosis. However, presently, the occurrence rate of osteoporosis in men is increasing. It is very important to be aware of an increase of the true frequency of osteoporosis in men which is essential for prevention and long-term health. The purpose of this thesis is to examine pathogenesis of osteoporosis, hormone-related factors, lifestyle, diet, and exercise habits …


A Review Of The Evidence: Prewarming Adults Prior To General Anesthesia In The Prevention Of Unplanned Perioperative Hypothermia, Paige F. Wrigley Nov 2015

A Review Of The Evidence: Prewarming Adults Prior To General Anesthesia In The Prevention Of Unplanned Perioperative Hypothermia, Paige F. Wrigley

Senior Honors Theses

Unplanned perioperative hypothermia (UPH), a common event in the surgical setting, is associated with many adverse patient outcomes. In current perioperative practice, patient core temperature is monitored and active warming interventions are implemented during the intraoperative and postoperative phases in response to UPH. The literature suggests preoperative warming of patients as a proactive measure may be more effective in the prevention of UPH. In the form of an integrative review, this thesis seeks to address the research question: For adult patients undergoing general anesthesia, how does preoperative warming compared to no preoperative warming affect UPH incidence? A database search yields …


Relationships Between Experiential Learning And Effects On Senior Nursing Students’ Self-Efficacy And Knowledge: A Non-Experimental Predictive Correlation Multiple Regression Analysis, Shanna Akers Nov 2015

Relationships Between Experiential Learning And Effects On Senior Nursing Students’ Self-Efficacy And Knowledge: A Non-Experimental Predictive Correlation Multiple Regression Analysis, Shanna Akers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Preparing nursing students to transition into the professional registered nurse role is the task of nurse educators. These educators must train students to function in multiple nursing specialties post-graduation, to include critical care. As more nursing graduates enter into areas such as intensive care units and emergency rooms, nurse educators must prepare them to work with critically ill patients. Increased exposure to critical care clinical experiences and simulations may be one method to prepare them for these complex, high-acuity patient situations. In order to determine whether or not a relationship exists between increased hours of experience and effects on self-efficacy …


The Short- And Long-Term Effects Of Child Abuse And Their Implications For The Suggested Length Of Physical And Psychosocial Treatment Regimens, Christine M. Ruff Oct 2015

The Short- And Long-Term Effects Of Child Abuse And Their Implications For The Suggested Length Of Physical And Psychosocial Treatment Regimens, Christine M. Ruff

Senior Honors Theses

Child abuse is the physical, psychological, or neglectful maltreatment of a child by a caregiver. Intimate partner violence relates closely to child mistreatment. Children are not likely to disclose that their parent or guardian is abusing them. Child abuse may result in short-term consequences, long-term consequences, or death. Some negative outcomes of maltreatment include delinquency, mental health issues, physical problems, educational underachievement, and socioeconomic disparities. The cycle of mistreatment is when a parent who suffered abuse as a child is more likely to maltreat his or her own child. There are factors that protect from the consequences of mistreatment. Research …


Thermal Burns And Smoke Inhalation Injuries, Anna Cox Sep 2015

Thermal Burns And Smoke Inhalation Injuries, Anna Cox

The Kabod

In this pathophysiology paper, the reader is presented with a profile of an elderly patient who recently suffered thermal burns and smoke inhalation injuries as a result of a nursing home fire. This patient’s severe burns were classified as deep partial-thickness and full-thickness and her total body surface area (TBSA) of burns was over 15%. This paper details the different types of burns, the varying clinical manifestations of thermal burns, smoke inhalation injuries, laboratory values associated with burns, and the multitude of treatment necessary for each stage of burn management. Wound healing is described as well as potential risks and …


Pain Management In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Holly N. Hagy Sep 2015

Pain Management In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Holly N. Hagy

Montview Journal of Research & Scholarship

While pain management in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was thought to be useless due to the infants’ inabilities to experience pain, research has confirmed that infants can and do experience pain at the same, if not greater, level of intensity as adults experience pain. Painful stimuli cause a system-wide sympathetic nervous system response that can cause damage when prolonged or unmanaged. There are multitudes of ways to treat an infant’s pain, but there seems to be a discrepancy between the knowledge that health care workers have regarding pain management in the NICU and the actual implementation of that …


Use Of Immunotherapy In The Treatment Of Peanut Allergies In The Pediatric Population, Bethany Rauscher May 2015

Use Of Immunotherapy In The Treatment Of Peanut Allergies In The Pediatric Population, Bethany Rauscher

Senior Honors Theses

Peanut allergies are a serious issue that must be monitored and treated effectively to avoid severe adverse effects and death. In the last decade, their incidence has increased significantly, due to indeterminate factors. Because people typically do not outgrow peanut allergies and the effects of exposure can be life-threatening, it is important that a cure or management method is developed and refined. Recent research regarding treatment for peanut allergies has focused on the use of immunotherapy, a process aimed at desensitizing children's immune systems so that they do not reject foods that contain peanuts. Some studies utilizing immunotherapy have provided …


The Correlation Between Maternal Diabetes And Birth Defects, Erin Stanton May 2015

The Correlation Between Maternal Diabetes And Birth Defects, Erin Stanton

Senior Honors Theses

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common health problems in the United States, and it is shown to have negative outcomes in infants born to women who are diabetic. Although gestational diabetes mellitus is linked with a few birth defects, research has shown that women with pre-gestational diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of giving birth to infants with birth defects. Among all the defects studied, cardiac and neural tube defects occur most commonly. Appropriate measures should be taken to provide patient teaching, as well as appropriate and effective prenatal care, to women who are at the highest risk …


Pain Management In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Holly N. Hagy Apr 2015

Pain Management In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Holly N. Hagy

Senior Honors Theses

While pain management in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was thought to be useless due to the infants’ inabilities to experience pain, research has confirmed that infants can and do experience pain at the same, if not greater, level of intensity as adults experience pain. Painful stimuli cause a system-wide sympathetic nervous system response that can cause damage when prolonged or unmanaged. There are multitudes of ways to treat an infant’s pain, but there seems to be a discrepancy between the knowledge that health care workers have regarding pain management in the NICU and the actual implementation of that …


Diabetes Self-Management Education For Adolescent Patients: The Importance Of A Developmentally Sensitive Approach, Laura Mumme Apr 2015

Diabetes Self-Management Education For Adolescent Patients: The Importance Of A Developmentally Sensitive Approach, Laura Mumme

Senior Honors Theses

The attention of healthcare providers to the developmental level of adolescent patients with type one diabetes (T1D) maximizes effective patient education and glycemic control. Due to the dynamic changes that occur in the mind and body during adolescence, self-care for adolescent T1D patients is overwhelming as it envelopes activities of everyday life. The disease process and the unique aspects of adolescence in relation to T1D are important for caregivers to consider. Developmentally appropriate teaching during the initial onset of the disease must inform the patient and the patient’s family of the basics of the disease process and the daily care …


Statins And Kidney Failure, Rebekah Pemberton Apr 2015

Statins And Kidney Failure, Rebekah Pemberton

Senior Honors Theses

Use of the HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, also known as statins, in patients with renal dysfunction is laden with controversy. Studies on statin use in renal patients have given varying reports. Some research has indicated that these medications may exacerbate existing renal dysfunction and induce further progression of renal disease. Furthermore, some researchers have suggested statins may actually cause some cases of renal dysfunction through the effects of rhabdomyolysis, acute interstitial nephritis, or necrotizing immune-mediated myopathy, while other researchers have asserted that the statins can have nephroprotective effects. The use of statins is believed to be ineffective in patients who are …


Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome: A Pathophysiology And Cultural Perspective Of Treatment In Sub-Saharan Africa, Kari N. Stanley Apr 2015

Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome: A Pathophysiology And Cultural Perspective Of Treatment In Sub-Saharan Africa, Kari N. Stanley

Senior Honors Theses

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that attacks the body’s immune system increasing risk for development of opportunistic infections and ultimately acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Without treatment HIV can run its course within 10 years; however, several categories of antiretroviral therapy now exist that have various mechanisms of action designed to stop a patient’s viral load from increasing so rapidly. The prevalence and risk for transmission is highest in Sub-Saharan Africa where resources and access to treatment is limited and underutilized. In order for health care providers to begin changing the statistics, cultural competence must be the foundation …