Nursing Commons^™

The Effect Of Individual Preoperative Interviews In Addition To Group Preoperative Teaching On Preoperative And Postoperative Stress, Barbara J. Wilde

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this experimental study was to investigate the effect of preoperative individual interviews in addition to the regular group and incidental preoperative teaching, on preoperative and postoperative stress. This effect was measured by the Multiple Affect Adjective Check List (MAACL), number of postoperative analgesics, and number of postoperative catheterizations for urinary retention.

It was hypothesized that patients receiving the individual interview would (1) have lower preoperative MAACL scores on anxiety, hostility. and depression, (2) have lower postoperative MAACL scores on anxiety, hostility, and depression, (3) show a smaller difference between the preoperative and postoperative MAACL scores, (4) require …

Parent-Mediated Contingency Management In The Normal Child, Lena Lantry

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Today there is great need in the community for a preventive nursing intervention tool that would reach a greater number of children who have behavior problems not serious enough to require clinical help, yet disruptive enough, to impair the quality of their lives. Specifically, there is need for a tool that could incorporate in its design an economy of manpower and means and yet preserve the dignity and security of its beneficiaries.

In 1972, researchers Miller and Reiswig demonstrated the effective use of parent-mediated contingency management with four families in the community by the case study, method. To further develop …

The Effect Of Nutrition Education On The Diet Of Pregnant Teenagers, Dorothy Whiteside

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

For optimal growth and development during the teens, there needs to be sufficient intake of food to meet the nutritional requirements. Pregnancy during that time increases the nutritional needs. Studies have shown that teenage girls generally have poor eating habits, not meeting the nutritional requirements.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether special nutrition education classes would improve eating habits of a group of pregnant teenagers. Case studies were used as the method to report the findings. A health education class in a special day program for pregnant girls was used as the setting for this study. The …

The Applicability Of Values Clarification To Cardiac Patient Education, Bonnie Berger, Vilma Raettig

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the applicability of the value clarifying approach as an additional educational method to assist the chronic heart patient to examine his life style, establish some priorities, and implement changes in his life style in light of his disease condition and the limitations it imposes.

In an experimental study 20 male and female, medical and surgical cardiac patients participated in an educational program involving 8 value clarifying sessions. After these sessions the patients evaluated their own behavior in terms of their self-set goals, in the life style areas of smoking, diet, work, exercise …

The Applicability Of Values Clarification To Cardiac Patient Education, Bonnie Berger, Vilma Raetting

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the applicability of the value clarifying approach as an additional educational method to assist the chronic heart patient to examine his life style, establish some priorities, and implement changes in his life style in light of his disease condition and the limitations it imposes.

In an experimental study 20 male and female, medical and surgical cardiac patients participated in an educational program involving 8 value clarifying sessions. After these sessions the patients evaluated their own behavior in terms of their self-set goals, in the life style areas of smoking, diet, work, exercise …

The Use Of Operant Conditioning In Stroke Patients To Facilitate Relearning Dressing Skills, Opal Ward Lebo

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Medical rehabilitation consists of learning appropriate behaviors related to specific disabilities. Lack of motivation on the part of the patient is frequently identified by health personnel as being a principle obstacle to the patient’s relearning basic skills necessary for his re- habilitation. This study was undertaken to explore the use of operant conditioning in teaching stabilized stroke patients to dress themselves and thus, increase their self-care independence. Social rewards (praise and attention) coupled with a dressing chart to provide feedback of progress, were the reinforcers.

A case study approach was used to study six participants who ranged in ages from …

The Use Of E.M.G. Biofeedback To Promote Relaxation And Relief Of Chronic Low Back Pain, Esther Fashina, Dorothy Holm

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine if relaxation instruction and electromyographic (E.M.G.) feedback would reduce chronic low back pain. A secondary aim was to determine if the locus of control variable as defined by Rotter would influence the results obtained.

Fourteen non-hospitalized subjects with chronic low back pain, meeting the criteria of this study became the sample group. The training program consisted of six 30-minute sessions during which the subjects were taught relaxation with the use of a feedback electromyograph and relaxation instructions. After an interval of two weeks, a seventh session was conducted to evaluate if …

Central Venous Pressure Reference Points Measured On Post-Mortem Subject, Jane E. Wright

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Hemodynamically the central venous pressure should be the same in both the supine and lateral positions. The accurate determination of an external zero reference level corresponding with mid right atrial level would make possible reliable measurements in either position. The purpose of this study was to help determine the reliability of two central venous pressure extrathoracic reference points; the midaxillary line as it intersects the fifth intercostal space for a supine position, the fourth intercostal space within the right sternal border for a side-lying position.

Measurements were taken on twenty cadavers during post-mortem examination to determine the relationship of these …

The Effect Of Preadmission Orientation On Post Hospital Behavior In Children, Alice Loo

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Hospitalization was assessed as imposing stress on a child which may result in negative behavior. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a planned preadmission orientation in decreasing negative behavior after hospitalization.

An experimental randomized group design was used.

There were fifteen subjects ages 3.8 to 10.6 years who had a planned admission to Loma Linda University Medical Center for a minor surgery and brief hospital stay. The children were randomly assigned to two experimental groups and a control group. It was hypothesized that those receiving an orientation would have less negative post hospital behaviors than …

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 …

A Study Of Variability In Locating The External Reference Point For Central Venous Pressure Determination, Joyce Johnson Drake

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This exploratory study was conducted to determine the variability occurring among intensive care nurses in locating, with two methods, the external reference point for central venous pressure (CVP) determinations. In the literature on CVP and on CVP value discrepancies, no reports were found of studies related to variability among medical personnel in locating the point.

The nurse participants in this study were thirty-one intensive care nurses who routinely were involved in CVP monitoring and marking reference points on patients in two surgical intensive care units. Thirty-two volunteer, non-hospitalized subjects, ages 18-85, sixteen males and sixteen females, with varying body builds …

A Descriptive Study Of Saline Abortion Patients, Judith L. Brown

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this descriptive study was to describe the psychological responses of saline abortion patients and the nurses who provided for their care. The study utilized a sample composed of five unmarried women between the ages of fifteen and twenty-one years who were seeking their first abortion, and of seventeen nurses who provided for their nursing care. The data were gathered during the hospitalization of the abortion patients. The raw data were obtained through the use of a nursing process recording and an information gathering interview with each patient and with each nurse. The tools used to analyze the …

The Effect Of A Repressive-Inspirational Discussion Group On The Self-Esteem Of Selected Elderly Individuals, Rebecca Hollesca Gucilatar

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study was conducted to determine if the use of a repressive-inspirational discussion group has significance in changing the level of self-esteem of institutionalized essentially normal elderly individuals.

A review of literature indicates the need for a group method that can help in developing and maintaining self-esteem in the elderly. Different studies reveal the need for self-esteem in the aged. The development of self-esteem is necessary so that elderly individuals can cope with situations in daily living and maintain physical and mental health.

An experimental method was utilized in conducting this study. A sample of twenty elderly individuals was selected …

Selected Physiological Responses To A Back Rub, Norma (Ewing) Anderson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The back rub, which has been an established part of evening patient care for many years, is given to promote relaxation and sleep as well as to promote skin care. Yet its place in modern nursing seems questionable. Today's nurse is less willing to practice using empirically established procedures.

There have been few investigations showing the effect of massage to the back and no studies have shown that a brief back rub, as given by nurses, promotes relaxation. In cardiovascular nursing there is some controversy as to whether or not the back rub causes stimulation to the cardiovascular system that …

The Effect Of Group Art Therapy On The Self-Esteem And Locus Of Control Of Delinquent Adolescent Boys, Brenda L. Bryant, Gail Y. Zirkle

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of twelve, fifty-five-minute sessions of group art therapy on the self-esteem and locus of control (LOC) of delinquent adolescent boys.

A review of the literature revealed that the development of self-esteem and an internal LOC orientation plays an important part in the total psychological development of the adolescent. Several descriptive studies have associated delinquent behavior with feelings of low self-esteem and external LOC beliefs.

Previous research suggests that group art therapy can increase the low self-esteem and internal LOC of delinquent adolescents. Although a few descriptive studies have been conducted …

The Nursing Process And Its Relationship To The Quality Of Nursing Care, Arlene H. Johnson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the systematic use of the nursing process on the quality of nursing care. Quality nursing care was defined as being achieved when the patient's nursing care needs are identified and plans made to assist the patient with these needs.

It was hypothesized that the quality of nursing care would be improved by the participation of the team leaders in a series of classes on the nursing process. This improvement in quality nursing care would be evidenced by a higher correlation between the patient's needs perceived by the nurse and …

Leadership Techniques In Groups With Chronic Schizophrenics, Judith L. Jensen, Leona W. Mcgrew

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The study was designed to assess the level of anxiety experienced by chronic schizophrenic patients when two different methods of leadership were used in group therapy. A search of literature revealed suggestions for modification of leadership approach due to the tenuous anxiety tolerance of chronic schizophrenics but no studies were found directly related to the amount of anxiety resulting from different leadership approaches.

A structured group in which the leader maintained a directive role was compared with a nonstructured group in which the leader maintained a nondirective role in the group process. The randomized sample included five male and five …

Preoperative Teaching And Its Relationship To Postoperative Recovery, Eleanor Wiese

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of the study was to find out whether an organized, preoperative teaching program would make a difference in patient recovery from intra-abdominal surgery.

A review of literature served as a guide in defining the needs of patients and in developing class content. An outline, which included deep breathing, coughing, turning, bed exercises and what to expect, was made for the class. Nine slides were developed specifically for the teaching sessions. To reinforce the teaching, a handout was given to each patient.

It was hypothesized that the experimental group of patients would require less pain medication, develop fewer complications …

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, …

A Community Health Nursing Care Plan, Gayle Clark

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Structured nursing care plans are recognized tools in the effective utilization of the nursing process. Community health nursing services have not commonly used structured nursing care plans. The purpose of this study was to improve the management of patient problems through the deliberate use of the nursing process by providing the public health nurse with a structured nursing care plan. A plan was developed which consisted of a nursing history outline, a plan for action tool, and an evaluation form.

The nursing problem of milk anemia was selected to be managed by public health nurses in the study. Six nurses …

Patients' Reactions To Witnessing Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, Lynn Andree Finch

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to describe the reactions to stress in patients witnessing a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, in order to determine if the witnessing patients' needs are being met adequately, and to determine the effect of a specific psychological stressor on patients.

All resuscitations ("STATS") done over a two-month period at Loma Linda University Medical Center, with oriented patients in the room, were observed and recorded on an Observation Guide. A Questionnaire was also solicited from medical-surgical nursing personnel who had observed "STATS" with witnessing patients in the last three months. The Guide and the Questionnaire were developed from …

Positive Relationships Between Community Health Nurses And Alienated Families Reduce Threat, Dolly L. Avant

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study concerned the identification of threat associated with alienation in families exhibiting "uncooperative" behavior within the community health nurse's caseload, and, the testing of nursing principles to establish a working relationship with an experimental group of these families to reduce those feelings of threat and thereby change the "colored" perception of the community health nurse as is held by patients with feelings of threat associated with alienation.

Twelve community health nurses were given the following specific behavioral criteria to select a population of "uncooperative" patients from their caseloads: 1. Gives unreliable information 2. Uses the nurse as a "buffer" …

Patient Preference In Two Types Of Colostomy Irrigations, Mildred Ann Marks

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purposes of this study were threefold: (1) to find which method of colostomy irrigation (enema bag vs. bulb syringe) was best accepted by colostomy patients; (2) to functionally evaluate the two types of colostomy irrigation methods; and (3) to report the results of this study to medical personnel interested in advancements for colostomy irrigations. The population in this study consisted of colostomy patients who had irrigated on a regular basis with the bag technique for a minimum of six months. Twelve colostomates completed this study by recording the parameter of time, amount of irrigation fluid used, quality of return, …

A Descriptive Analysis Of The Social Roles Of Nursing Home Residents, John A. Hermann

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In contemporary American society there has been a growing trend toward nursing home residency for the aged. Up until the present there has been almost no attempt on the part of Sociology to study the sociological aspects of the life within such institutions.

A major objective of this study was to descriptively analyze the social life of nursing home residents. In order to do this, role theory was used as a tool for analysis and applied to the methods of unstructured observation and informal interviewing. The points of analysis were: role enactment, role expectations, and self-role congruency.

The research was …

Effects Of Ice Application On Alopecia Produced By Adriamycin, Carol Frembling

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This pilot study was concerned with discovering the effectiveness of the ice pack as an agent for reducing the blood flow through the scalp blood vessels thereby reducing the alopecia caused by the drug adriamycin. The use of cold is known as a vasoconstricting agent. It was thought that if vasconstriction could be maintained for the first few minutes following the injection of adriamycin, the incidence of alopecia could be reduced.

Available references to the effects of cold on skin circulation and the effects of the drug adriamycin were studied to formulate a method of approach as no previous methodology …

Post-Abortion Counseling And Anxiety Levels Of Unmarried Adolescents Having Therapeutic Abortions, Linda Levisen

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a post-abortion counseling program. It was hypothesized that unmarried adolescents who received counseling following a therapeutic abortion would exhibit significantly fewer negative affects than those who received no counseling. The affects measured were anxiety, depression, hostility, and guilt. Twenty clients were randomly selected for this study. Prior to the abortion, the twenty clients were-tested for negative responses to the unwanted pregnancy. Ten clients received post-abortion counseling twice following the abortion and were tested at each visit for negative affective responses to the abortion. The other ten clients received no …

The Effect Of Play On Self-Esteem During The Nurse-Patient Relationship, Abbie Lam Yuen Watt

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of play activities upon the self-esteem level of the chronically ill "low" communicative patient during a therapeutic nurse-patient relationship.

A survey of the literature revealed that meaningful interpersonal relationships are an important aspect of mental health. For the emotionally disturbed person with distorted self concept, the use of nonverbal activities may be a way to establish a relationship which can help increase his feeling of personal worth and responsibility, A particularly important topic related to the study was the use of play activities in nursing.

The experimental method was used …

Two Emotional Factors And Weight Loss Among Females Attending A Weight Control Class, Karen Lynn Carrigg, Eileen Rae Wangerin

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A descriptive study was conducted on twenty-four females attending a weight control class to discover the effect of weight loss upon levels of self-esteem and anxiety, as an understanding of the relation of these factors to reduction and control of weight would prove helpful to community health nurses in counseling with overweight and obese persons in the community.

The entire sample was tested for self-esteem (TSCS) and A-State and A-Trait anxiety levels at the initial class of the weight control program sponsored by the Health Education Department of Loma Linda University Medical Center, and again after seven weeks of class …

Assisting Mothers To Successfully Breast Feed Their Babies, Annabelle Moore

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This experimental study tested the effect of a teaching program on success of a group of mothers desiring to breast feed their babies. It was hypothesized that mothers receiving specific instructions on the physiology of lactation and the proper sucking technique would have greater success than mothers not so instructed.

To be categorized as successful the mothers had to have an adequate supply of milk and had to express satisfaction with breast feeding. Criteria for adequacy of milk supply consisted of weight gain of the infant within accepted norms without use of supplementary formula.

Twenty breast feeding mothers who delivered …

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. …