Nursing Commons^™

Relationship Between Scholastic And Health Behaviors And Reading Level In Adolescent Females, Steven C. Matson, Kristin Haglund

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This was a study of 102 adolescent females, 12-20 years of age, presenting to a central city clinic for medical care. Participants completed an oral questionnaire that included demographics, and questions regarding scholastic history, sexual behavior, and substance use. Each subject completed the Accuracy Level Test (ALT), a reading test. The subject's reading test grade level was subtracted from her appropriate grade in school to give a reading delay level (RDL). The mean reading grade level for all subjects was 6.7 ±2.6 and the average reading delay was 4.5 ±2.5 grades. Poor school attenders had greater reading delays (5.8 ±3.4 …

Parenting A Second Time Around: An Ethnography Of African American Grandmothers Parenting Grandchildren Due To Parental Cocaine Abuse, Kristin Haglund

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This study describes a group of six African American grandmothers parenting their grandchildren secondary to cocaine abuse on the part of the parents. It explores the manner in which such parenting affected the grandmothers’ health. Data for this ethnography design were collected through participant observation, field notes, taped interviews, and supplementary data sources. The identification of cultural themes evolved from domain and taxonomic analyses. The themes—parenting a second time around, sacrifice, and God’s presence in daily life—expressed aspects of the grandmothers’ culture. The effects on health varied from none to exacerbation of chronic illnesses. The study results, and its picture …

Cytokines And The Anorexia Of Infection: Potential Mechanisms And Treatments, Donna O. Mccarthy

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Anorexia during infection is thought to be mediated by immunoregulatory cytokines such as interleukins 1 and 6 and tumor necrosis factor. This article reviews the potential mechanisms of action by which these cytokines are thought to suppress food intake during infection and examines the proposition that blocking of cytokine activity might be one approach to improving food intake of the infected host.

Anthropological Differences Between Contraception And Natural Family Planning, Richard J. Fehring, William Kurz

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Almost twenty years ago, Pope John Paul II in his apostolic exhortation Familiaris Consortio called on scholars to study the anthropological and moral differences between the recourse to the natural rhythms of a woman’s menstrual cycle (i.e., natural family planning) and contraception (1). Although natural family planning (NFP) and contraception can both be used to prevent pregnancy, there are conspicuous differences between use of natural methods and contraception. Most people, however, have difficulty in distinguishing what the differences are and in understanding why some religious groups, health professionals, and other members of society consider contraception (but not natural family planning) …

Through The Eye Of The Beholder: Multiple Perspectives On Quality In Women's Health Care, Jaynelle F. Stichler, Marianne E. Weiss

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Quality is an illusive concept with different meanings to different people. Providers often define quality in terms of patient outcomes, professional standards of practice, predetermined criteria used to measure quality, and even subjective opinion. Patients describe quality in terms of the interpersonal aspects of care, how well they were treated, and the responsiveness of the provider to their needs. This qualitative study using a semi-structured interview defined quality from the perspectives of patients, physicians, nurses, and payers associated with a hospital-based women's service line, and how the attributes of quality varied among the multiple groups. The study also described how …

Strategic Planning For Research Use In Nursing Practice, Chris Van Mullem, Laura Burke, Kari Dohmeyer, Marie Farrell, Sue Harvey, Laura John, Carolyn Kraly, Fran Rowley, Margaret Sebern, Kerry Twite, Roberta Zapp

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background/Objective:

To prepare for a culture change to integrate research utilization into daily nursing practice, the authors conducted a descriptive survey of all registered nurses (RNs) in an integrated healthcare delivery system. The purposes of this study were to assess RNs' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of nursing research activities, assess factors that support a research environment, and determine facilitating and challenging factors related to conducting regional nursing research.

Methods:

A 33-item survey based on the Iowa Model for Evidence-Based Practice was developed, validated, and determined to be reliable by the authors. Site coordinators organized and managed the orientation, administration, …

A Mediterrannean Type Diet Reduced All Cause And Cardiac Mortality After A First Myocardial Infarction, A Commentary, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Religiosity And Sexual Activity Among Older Adolescents, Richard J. Fehring, Kerry H. Cheever, Karyn German, Connie Philpot

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This study investigates religiosity, sexual activity, and sexual permissiveness among older adolescents. Eighty-two college students completed a survey that measured religiosity, sexual permissiveness, self-esteem, frequency of recent sexual encounters, and motivators for sexual activity or abstinence. Guilt, prayer, organized religious activity, and religious well-being predicted fewer sexual encounters. Orthodox beliefs, participation in organized religious activities, and highly-rated importance of faith predicted less permissive sexual attitudes. We conclude that guilt and religious activity can be good motivators for decreasing sexual encounters. We recommend that health practitioners encourage participation in religious activity among adolescents.

International Classification For Nursing Practice (Icnp): Most-Frequently Asked Questions, Judith J. Warren, Amy Coenen

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) is a collaborative project under the auspices of the International Council of Nurses. The alpha version ia available online for comment in preparation for the release of the beta version in 1999. The authors answer the most-frequently asked questions about the ICNP and encourage nurses in the United States to participate in the revision by sending comments and suggestions to the American Nurses Association.

Evaluation Of The Lady Free Biotester® In Determining The Fertile Period, Richard J. Fehring, Nancy Gaska

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Small hand-held microscopes have been developed for self-observation of salivary ferning patterns to detect the fertile time of a woman’s menstrual cycle. The purpose of this study was to evaluate one such microscope, the Lady Free Biotester^®, by comparing it with the self-observation of cervical-vaginal mucus and with the self-detection of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine. Twelve natural family planning teachers (average age 34.6 years) observed their cervical-vaginal mucus, tested their urine for LH, and observed salivary and cervical-vaginal mucus ferning patterns (with the Lady Free Biotester) for two menstrual cycles. Data indicated that there was a …

Self-Reported Energy Intake And Energy Expenditure In Elderly Women, Randall J. Gretebeck, R. A. Boileau

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The elderly are a growing population; however, limited information concerning energy requirements of the elderly is available. Dietary intake data have been collected in research and clinical settings to determine the intakes of energy and nutrients, but the accuracy of dietary intake data has been difficult to verify. Studies using doubly labeled water have suggested that dietary energy intake is underreported by obese subjects (1), adolescents (2), and athletes (3). Diet records were collected for 6 to 14 days in these studies (1), (2), (3). Elderly subjects have also underreported energy intake compared with total energy expenditure (TEE), either measured …

Accuracy Of The Ovulon Fertility Monitor To Predict And Detect Ovulation, Richard J. Fehring, William D. Schlaff

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this pilot study was to correlate the three biologic markers of the Ovulon fertility monitor (a long-term predictive peak about 6 days before ovulation, a short-term predictive peak about 1 day before ovulation, and a nadir at the time of ovulation) with the peak in cervical mucus and the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge in the urine. Ten volunteer subjects (mean age 30.2 years) monitored their cervical-vaginal mucus, the surge of LH in the urine with a home assay test, and their vaginal electrical readings (with Ovulon monitors) on a daily basis for one to four menstrual cycles. …

Antley‐Bixler Syndrome: A Case Report And Discussion, Scott Lebard, Lisa Thiemann

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Antley-Bixler Syndrome (ABS) is an autosomal recessive trait disorder characterized by multiple bone and cartilaginous abnormalities. Primary features include significant craniosynostosis, midface hypoplasia with choanal stenosis or atresia, femoral bowing, radiohumeral synostosis, and multiple joint contractures. Cardiac, renal, and gastrointestinal malformations have also been described. This report describes the management of a four-month-old male who underwent cranial vault remodeling to relieve craniosynostosis and discusses the potential concerns of the anaesthetist during care of children with Antley-Bixler Syndrome.

Meperidine Attenuates The Secretion But Not The Transcription Of Il-1ss In Human Mononuclear Leukocytes, Donna O. Mccarthy, Susan Murray, Dawn Galagan, James E. Gern, Paul R. Hutson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Background: The infusion of amphotericin-B (AmB) often produces clinically distressing rigors and chills, which promptly abate with intravenous injection of meperidine, although its mechanism of action is unknown.

Objective: To examine the effects of meperidine on the transcription or secretion of Interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in human mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) exposed in vitro to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) contained inEscherichia coli endotoxin or to AmB.

Methods: Blood was drawn from eight healthy adult volunteers. The blood was centrifuged, and the layer containing MNL was separated; incubated with various combinations of medium, meperidine, and AmB; then tested for IL-1 content to determine …

Cytokine Profiles Of Stimulated Blood Lymphocytes In Asthmatic And Healthy Adolescents Cross The School Year, Duck-Hee Kang, Christopher L. Coe, Donna O. Mccarthy, Nizar N. Jarjour, Elizabeth A. Kelly, Raymond R. Rodriguez, William W. Busse

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

T cell cytokines play an important role in mediating airway inflammation in asthma. The predominance of a Th2 cytokine profile, particularly interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5, is associated with the pathogenesis and course of asthma. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a stressful life event alters the pattern of cytokine release in asthmatic individuals. Thirteen healthy controls and 21 asthmatic adolescents gave blood samples three times over a semester: midsemester, during the week of final examinations, and 2-3 weeks after examinations. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-2, IL-4, and IL-5 were measured from supernatants of cells stimulated with PHA/PMA …

Adaptation Of The Doubly Labeled Water Method For Subjects Consuming Isotopically Enriched Water, Randall J. Gretebeck, Dale A. Schoeller, Rick A. Socki, Janis Davis-Street, Everett K. Gibson, Leslie O. Schulz, Helen W. Lane

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The use of doubly labeled water (DLW) to measure energy expenditure is subject to error if the background abundance of the oxygen and hydrogen isotope tracers changes during the test period. This study evaluated the accuracy and precision of different methods by which such background isotope changes can be corrected, including a modified method that allows prediction of the baseline that would be achieved if subjects were to consume water from a given source indefinitely. Subjects in this study were eight women (4 test subjects and 4 control subjects) who consumed for 28 days water enriched to resemble drinking water …

Gender Differences: Exercise Beliefs Among Youth, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Developments In Client Information Systems, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Prism: Special Issue On Nursing Centers, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Immune Responses To Final Exams In Healthy And Asthmatic Adolescents, Duck-Hee Kang, Christopher L. Coe, Donna O. Mccarthy, William B. Ershler

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Immune responses to an academic stressor were examined in healthy and asthmatic adolescents with regard to their illness symptom reports. Eighty-seven high school students completed a health diary for 2 weeks and provided three blood samples during midsemester, final-exam, and postexam periods. During exam week, all students showed significant immunological alterations from baseline: Natural killer cell activity was significantly lower, whereas lymphocyte proliferation and neutrophil superoxide release were significantly higher. These immune changes tended to return toward baseline during the postexam period, but the enhanced neutrophil reactivity continued to rise. Overall, immunological responses were similar between asthmatic subjects and controls. …

A Comparison Of The Ovulation Method With The Cue Ovulation Predictor In Determining The Fertile Period, Richard J. Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study was to compare the CUE Ovulation Predictor with the ovulation method in determining the fertile period. Eleven regularly ovulating women measured their salivary and vaginal electrical resistance (ER) with the CUE, observed their cervical-vaginal mucus, and measured their urine for a luteinizing hormone (LH) surge on a daily basis. Data from 21 menstrual cycles showed no statistical difference (T= 0.33, p= 0.63) between the CUE fertile period, which ranged from 5 to 10 days (mean = 6.7 days, SD = 1.6), and the fertile period of the ovulation method, which ranged from 4 to 9 …

Explication Of The Construct Of Shared Care And The Prevention Of Pressure Ulcers In Home Health Care, Margaret Sebern

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this investigation was to render a more complete understanding of subjective perceptions of pressure ulcers from the perspective of family dyads, and to study the effect of these subjective experiences on preventive behaviors and pressure ulcer outcomes. A naturalistic inquiry, combined with objective measures, was used. Twenty-one dyads participated in four in-depth interviews to explore how they mentally represented and responded to the risk of pressure ulcers. Through the process of concept development, a lay representation of pressure ulcers was developed. This process produced a new concept, identified as “shared care,” that explained how the dyads interaction …

Exploring The Boundaries Of Pediatric Practice: Nurse Stories Related To Relationships, Joan P. Totka

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Pediatric nurses struggle to find the right level of involvement with children and families. The purpose of this study was to illuminate nurses' struggles and insights as they learned to find the interpersonal boundaries of their own practice. The phenomenological method of Heideggerian hermeneutics was used to analyze data from audiotaped and transcribed single interviews of five pediatric nurses. The analysis of the transcriptions involved multiple stages of interpretation using a research team. The themes that emerged from the data were: (a) pediatric nurse as family caregiver: (b) finding the right level of care: over-involvement vs. crossing the line; (c) …

Symposium On Nursing Centers: Past, Present And Future, Marilyn Frenn

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Physician And Nurses' Knowledge And Use Of Natural Family Planning, Richard J. Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Perinatal health professionals are in key positions to either promote or dissuade the use of Natural Family Planning (NFP). The purpose of this article is to describe a survey conducted with perinatal physicians and nurses on their knowledge and professional use of NFP. Four hundred and fifty physicians and nurses (150 MDs and 300 RNs) were sent a questionnaire on the use of and knowledge of NFP. One hundred sixty-six (or 37%) returned the completed questionnaires. Fifty-two percent of the nurses who returned the questionnaires and 48% of the physicians indicated they were taught about NFP in basic (generic) medical …

Energy Expenditure During Antiorthostatic Bed Rest (Simulated Microgravity), Randall J. Gretebeck, Dale A. Schoeller, Everett K. Gibson, Helen W. Lane

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Few studies have addressed the interaction between energy balance and lean body mass in healthy subjects during spaceflight or its simulations. We used doubly labeled water to measure total energy expenditure (TEE) in nine healthy adult men during two 7-day periods, once before and once during a 10-day head-down bed-rest period. Mean TEE was 21% less during than before bed rest; however, neither basal (BEE) nor resting (REE) energy expenditures changed, implying that the lesser TEE resulted from a reduction in physical activity. During the bed-rest period, energy intake was 563 +/- 280 kcal/day higher than TEE (P < 0.05) but body weight, fluid balance, BEE, and REE did not change relative to before bed rest. However, the small but statistically significant increase in body fat (0.44 +/- 0.67 kg, P < 0.05) during the bed-rest period suggests that body weight alone does not accurately reflect changes in energy balance during antiorthostatic bed rest.

The Immune System, Betty Bierut Gallucci, Donna O. Mccarthy

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Modern biotherapy has been in use for some 30 years. The first types of biotherapy were nonspecific stimulators of the immune response, but advances in genetic engineering are allowing the mass production of pure biological products which are now being tested as pharmaceutical agents. Biotherapy connotes the administration of products (1) that are coded by the mammalian genome; (2) that modify the expression of mammalian genes; or (3) that stimulate the immune system. In this chapter the discussion of the immune system will be limited primarily to topics relevant to cancer or autoimmune diseases. Because understanding the new biological agents …

Spiritual Well-Being, Self-Esteem And Intimacy Among Couples Using Natural Family Planning, Richard J. Fehring, Donna M. Lawrence

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Making decisions about achieving and avoiding pregnancy and the methods used to attain those ends are some of the most central decisions during a couple's reproductive life. Health professionals (especially professional nurses) are often consulted to aid couples in their reproductive decisions and provide couples with choices of reproductive control. Information provided on family planning choices, however, is often limited and usually involves issues of effectiveness to avoid pregnancy, convenience, health risks, and life-style preferences.1,2 Little information is provided on how family planning methods compare on psychological, spiritual, and social well-being variables. One method of family planning that needs further …

Reflections On The Spirituality Of Natural Family Planning, Richard J. Fehring

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Use Effectiveness Of The Creighton Model Ovulation Method Of Natural Family Planning, Richard J. Fehring, Donna M. Lawrence, Connie Philpot

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

OBJECTIVE: To determine the use effectiveness of the Creighton model ovulation method in avoiding and achieving pregnancy. DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive. SETTING: A natural family planning clinic at a university nursing center. PARTICIPANTS: Records and charts from 242 couples who were taught the Creighton model. The sample represented 1,793 months of use of the model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Creighton model demographic forms and logbook. RESULTS: At 12 months of use, the Creighton model was 98.8% method effective and 98.0% use effective in avoiding pregnancy. It was 24.4% use effective in achieving pregnancy. The continuation rate for the sample at 12 months …