Nursing Commons^™

Perceived Benefits' And Barriers' Effect On Occurrence Of Exercise In Women, Denise K. Petersen

Masters Theses

Perceived benefits and barriers affect exercise occurrence. The purpose of this study was to determine the affect of perceived benefits of and perceived barriers to exercise in women, ages 20-69. A descriptive correlational design was used to determine this relationship. A convenience sample of 61 women were surveyed using the Exercise Benefits/Barriers scale, the activity section of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile, and demographical data. Data were analyzed using a Pearson's r correlation and an independent t-test. The hypothesis of a decrease in occurrence of exercise as perceived barriers increased and the hypothesis of an increase in occurrence of exercise …

The Effect Of An Osteoporosis Prevention Program On Knowledge And Self-Efficacy, Kathryn Hayter

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an Osteoporosis Prevention Program on knowledge and self-efficacy for exercise and calcium intake. Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Model was used which describes efficacy expectations and outcome expectations as predictors of behavior.

A quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test was used with 32 women, age 40-62, at an urban outpatient center. The experimental group attended an Osteoporosis Prevention Program.

There were significant post-test differences between groups for osteoporosis knowledge and osteoporosis self-efficacy for calcium intake but not for osteoporosis self-efficacy for exercise. Additionally, paired t-tests found a significant improvement in scores pretest …

Quality Of Life In The Hospice Patient, Sidney S. Brush

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if terminally ill patients experience a change in perceived quality of life between admission to a hospice program and after having been in the hospice program for three weeks.

A repeated measures design with a convenience sample was used The sample consisted of 56 subjects who completed the Missoula-Vitas Quality of Life Index (MVQOLI). Twenty completed the second MVQOLL Data were obtained from the scores of this self-assessment tool. Data analysis included a comparison of the relationship of the first and repeated scores. No significant differences were found between the MVQOLI scores …

Concurrence Of Decreases In Barometric Pressure And Spontaneous Rupture Of Membranes In Term Gravid Women, Linda M. Owen

Masters Theses

A retrospective design was used to examine the relationship between spontaneous rupture of membranes in term gestation gravid women and decreased barometric pressure of ten millibars or greater in the twenty-four hours proceeding the rupture of membranes. Delivery logbooks and charts of all women who were admitted to a Midwestern Hospital in 1997-1998 with spontaneous rupture of membranes (N-533) were examined and data from the Midwest Climate Center was utilized to determine the changes in barometric pressure within the twenty-four hours proceeding the documented rupture of membranes.

No correlation was elucidated between the timing of spontaneous rupture of the amniotic …

Adolescent Knowledge About The Relationship Between Exercise And Prevention Of Osteoporosis, Alice M. Padilla

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess the intact of an educational intervention on adolescent knowledge concerning exercise as an osteoporosis preventive behavior. This study examined whether there was a knowledge gain in each group (girls and boys) after receiving the education intervention and it investigated the difference in knowledge gain between groups.

This was a secondary analysis of data from a study that used a pre-experimental pretest-post-test, no control group design. There were 82 boys and 102 girls who completed the Healthy Bones Knowledge Questionnaire as a pre-test, received an education intervention based primarily on nutrition, then completed …

Lunar Phases, Time Variations, And Birthrate In Western Michigan, Janet Mitchell

Masters Theses

Staffing standards in the labor and delivery units of hospitals are based on estimates of the number of patients who will be admitted. Anecdotally, patients, visitors, and healthcare professionals frequently comment that the occurrence of the fell moon brings about an increase in the number of laboring women. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations between birthrate and time of day, day of the week, month of the year and new and full moons. Martha Rogers' theory, the Science of Unitary Human Beings, was used as the theoretical framework.

A descriptive ex post facto design using retrospective …

The Effect Of Social Support On The Psychological Adaptation Of An Individual Receiving An Alternate Form Of Nutrition Therapy, Kristin J. Ladd

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of social support on an individual's psychological adaptation to an alternate form of nutrition support. Betty Neuman's Systems Model provided the framework for this study. A descriptive correlational design was chosen for this study and data were collected using a questionnaire methodology. Proposed data analyses measures were Pearson's product moment correlation, t- Test, and Mann-Whitney U. The targeted sample size for this study was 20 patients with cancer or gastrointestinal disorders, however, termination of the study occurred when only four individuals were recruited after five months of data collection. This …

Early Nursing Interventions And Their Effect On Fatigue In Patients Receiving Chemotherapy, Karla J. Baker

Masters Theses

Fatigue is the number one side effect that patients experience when they receive chemotherapy. They do not always expect it or know what to do when it effects their entire life. This study described the affect of early nursing interventions on fatigue caused by chemotherapy. This descriptive, two group comparative study used a convenience sample of patients, receiving chemotherapy for the first time, to determine the degree of fatigue they experienced. A tool by Barbara Piper RN (1997) was used to describe the effect of early intervention on fatigue experienced by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Internal consistency of this tool …

Fetal Infant Mortality In Kalamazoo, Lisa A. Wullschleger

Masters Theses

The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the incidence rates of five pre-selected perinatal variables that existed within the white and non-white groups of fetal, infant deaths that occurred in Kalamazoo County between January 1, 1995 and December 31, 1997. The variables were prenatal care, birth weight, estimated weeks of gestation, and maternal, fetal, infant medical complications. The question posed was as follows: Is there a difference in incidence rates of the variables between the white and non-white perinatal deaths in Kalamazoo County?

A sample size of 50 cases was studied. Kotelchuck's instrument tool (1994), the Adequacy of …

Needs Of Families Of Severe Traumatic Brain Injured Individuals During The Critical Care Experience, Victoria L. Meyers

Masters Theses

Traumatic brain injury occurs without warning, disrupts the life of the individual and family, causing stress. The purpose of this descriptive study was three part: to identify the needs of families of severe traumatic brain injured (TBI) individuals during the critical care experience, to identify who met those needs, and to obtain qualitative data regarding nursing care. Family Systems Theory provided the theoretical framework to support this study.

A convenience sample from a large Midwestern teaching institution consisted of 28 family members of severe TBI individuals. The sample received by mail a demographic profile, a questionnaire (Critical Care Family Needs …

Ambulatory Surgery Nurses' Perceptions Of Their Ability To Provide Individualized Patient Care, Rebecca L. Brown

Masters Theses

This descriptive correlational study examined the extent to which nurses in an ambulatory surgery practice environment perceive their ability to individualize patient care. As patients shift to the outpatient setting, it is important to look at the effect this may have on individualizing patient care, a concept rooted in the foundation of the profession of nursing. Registered nurses from four ambulatory surgery sites within one large health care system in western Michigan were asked to rate the frequency which they performed select nursing care actions using the 45-item .Ambulatory Individualized Care Index (AICl). modified from van Servellen's (1988a) Individualized Care …

Differences Between The Nursing And Family Member Role In Acute Pain Assessment In Senior Nursing Students, Debra L. Fitzpatrick

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore how nursing students’ decisions regarding pain assessment and analgesic use may be influenced by the role the student assumes in hypothetical situations, specifically the role of nurse or family member. It was hypothesized that there would be no statistically significant difference in pain assessment, in choice of analgesic dose, and in concerns about analgesics.

A descriptive correlational design was used. A sample of 83 senior nursing students within two weeks of graduation was used. The instrument used was one of two surveys created by McCaffery and Ferrell (1997). All respondents were asked …

Quality Of Life For Women Living With Advanced Breast Cancer, Maureen Mika Eberly

Masters Theses

Parse’s Human Becoming Theory of nursing and research methodology were used to describe the structure of the meaning of quality of life for women living with advanced breast cancer. Three core concepts surfaced: grieving-adjusting remaining connected to ordinary life events, reinforcing-distancing relationships preserving individuality, and choosing opportunities clarifying purpose. Through conceptual integration these emerged as valuing the connecting-separating of powering unique ways. This study enhances the knowledge on quality of life, expands Parse’s theory of nursing, and demonstrates the value of Parse’s methodology for uncovering the meaning of lived experiences. Implications for further research and practice are discussed.

Effective Clinical Teaching Behaviors As Perceived By Associate And Baccalaureate Degree Nursing Students, Karyn L. Abrahamson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify the most effective clinical teaching behaviors (ECTB) perceived by Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Baccalaureate Degree Nursing (BSN) students. An exploratory, descriptive design was implemented. ADN and BSN students (N=55) were surveyed using the Clinical Teaching Evaluation (CTE) instrument designed by Fong (1991). The CTE consists of 25 teaching behaviors that are ranked on a five point Likert-type scale according to importance. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Significant differences in perceptions of ECTB between the two groups were identified by a Mann Whitney U procedure.

The study findings indicate …

Physician Perceptions Of Behaviors Associated With The Nurse Practitioner Role, Elizabeth J. Sperry

Masters Theses

While the number of nurse practitioners (NPs) continues to grow, their role and scope of practice can be misunderstood. King’s interacting systems framework was the theoretical basis for this study. This descriptive study asked a convenience sample of physicians (n=128) to indicate their agreement with 37 behaviors for the NP role. The sample was 74.2% male, 49.2% ages 41-50, and 63 .2% practiced primarily in an office setting. Bambini’s (I995) modification of Hupcey’s (1994) instrument was used and internal consistency was measured using Cronbach’s alpha .97. Behaviors perceived as most appropriate for NPs were those that related to education. A …

The Relationship Between Physician Knowledge, Physician Background, Experience With Nurse Practitioners And Role Expectations For The Nurse Practitioner, Heidi Brands Flamming

Masters Theses

This descriptive study examined the relationship between physician knowledge and role expectations as influenced by experience with nurse practitioners. The sample consisted of 111 physicians practicing in West Michigan. Data was collected using a combination of instruments--a nurse practitioner role behavior tool (Hupcey, 1994) and nurse practitioner/physician role appropriate vignettes (Davidson & Lauver, 1984). Physician knowledge of the nurse practitioner role was significantly higher (t = -2.85; p = .005) for the group of physicians who had practiced with a nurse practitioner as compared to the group of physicians who had not practiced with a nurse practitioner. Role expectations between …

Learning Needs Perceived By The Patient Considering Radiation Therapy And The Radiation Oncology Nurse, Kathleen E. Bell

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe the congruency between what the patient who is considering radiation therapy perceives his learning needs to be and what the radiation oncology nurse perceives the learning needs of the patient to be. This descriptive design used convenience sampling. The subjects consisted of 56 patients and 8 radiation oncology nurses who were recruited from a regional hospital system with two separate radiation oncology settings.

Data were obtained after the radiation oncology nurse provided an overview of the (a) purpose of radiation therapy, (b) type of radiation prescribed, (c) mechanism of radiation action, (d) …

The Relationship Of Selected Health Beliefs And Exercise Adherence 8 To 12 Months After A Cardiac Event, Jill Stone

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine differences between health beliefs and cardiac exercise adherence at 6-12 weeks after a cardiac event as compared to 8-12 months post event. Twenty five subjects participated at time one and time two by answering mailed questionnaires designed to measure perceived benefits, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, exercise adherence, and demographic data.

Data analysis did not reveal a significant difference in exercise adherence or perceived benefits, but results did support a statistically significant difference in perceived barriers (p=.02) and self-efficacy (p=.03) from time one to time two. Subjects perceived higher levels of barriers related to …

The Lived Experiences Of Persons Dependent On Hemodialysis, Molly A. Kidner

Masters Theses

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) affects almost 300,000 people in the United States. The growth rate is estimated at six to seven percent per year. Of these, over 182,000 chose hemodialysis as the treatment regimen to sustain their lives. Qualitative research is relatively absent specific to this population.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the lived experiences of persons dependent on hemodialysis. Four self-identified persons dependent on hemodialysis were asked to describe their experiences of being a person dependent on hemodialysis. The verbal descriptions were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim. These descriptions were analyzed for meaning using the …

Identification Of Barriers To Adherence To Prescribed Schedules For Self-Monitoring Of Blood Glucose, Victoria E. Sawhill

Masters Theses

The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify barriers to adherence to prescribed self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) schedules. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 40 diabetic patients from a rural northern Michigan community, ages 18-84, who completed the modified Barriers to Self-Monitoring Blood Glucose Scale (BSMBG) (Jones, Remley, & Engberg, 1996). The study’s theoretical framework was the Health Belief Model (HBM) (Rosenstock, Strecher, & Becker, 1994).

The modified BSMBG scale had a reliability coefficient of 0.95 using Cronbach’s alpha. Individual barrier scores were varied indicating a need for individualized assessment of barriers to SMBG. Data analysis demonstrated …

Hiv Risk Factors In Migrant Farmworkers, Gina Rosenberg

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the HIV/AIDS knowledge level and risk behaviors in Hispanic migrant farm workers in west and southwest Michigan. A secondary data analysis was performed to measure HIV/AIDS-related knowledge and risk behaviors. Overall knowledge level and risk behavior scores were developed for further data analysis. A Pearson R Correlation Coefficient was calculated and showed that the relationship between knowledge level and risk behaviors was not statistically significant.

Coefficients were also calculated for age, educational levels, and number of months spent in Michigan first with the knowledge level index, and then with the risk behavior …

The Effects Of Role-Play And Simulation As Pregnancy Prevention Strategies On Knowledge And Attitude Of African-American Adolescents In An Urban Community, Laura B. Moody

Masters Theses

This quasi-experiment study tested the effectiveness of a simulation program on African American adolescent females’ attitude toward having a baby and their knowledge of risk factors associated with pre-marital sex. The experimental group (n=15) participated in Baby Think It Over (BTIO), a program using infant simulators (computerized dolls) and a didactic program - Saving Ourselves (SOS) and the Next Generation. The control group (n=15) was selected from a Black church.

The experimental group didn't significantly increase their attitude or knowledge scores and was not significantly more knowledgeable than the control group on post-testing. They did have significantly more realistic post-test …

Gender Differences In Importance Of Stroke Health Beliefs In Timing Of Seeking Treatment For Acute Stroke Symptoms, Brenda S. Nyenhuis

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to describe gender differences in importance of stroke health beliefs in timing of seeking treatment for acute stroke symptoms. The data came from a larger study titled ‘Discovering Factors Related to the Timing of Seeking Health Care for Acute Stroke Symptoms” (ODonnell, Roberts, Ruhlandt, & Baer, 1999). The current study included 51 subjects who were asked to rate the importance of 13 belief statements on their decision to seek treatment. The Health Belief Model (HBM) was the conceptual framework for this study.

Data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages and Mann-Whitney U. There were no …

Patient Perception Of The Role Of The Nurse Practitioner In Primary Care, Betsy J. Mulder

Masters Theses

As nurse practitioners (NP) provide services to a variety of health care consumers, there remains ambiguity regarding their scope of practice. This descriptive, comparative study asked a convenience sample of patients who have had contact with nurse practitioners (n = 56), and those patients who have had no contact with nurse practitioners (n = 51), to indicate their agreement with the appropriateness of behaviors for the NP role. A questionnaire used by Bambini (1995) was modified for this study with an alpha reliability of .95. Perceptions of behaviors were ranked according to the level of perceived appropriateness. None of the …

Factors Involved In The Decision To Utilize The Emergency Department For Health Care, Teri R. Simpson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reasons people choose to use the Emergency Department (ED) for health care. Roy's adaptation model was used as the conceptual framework for this study. A convenience sample of patients were interviewed during one weekday eight hour period. The interview addressed such factors as reason for visit, age, race, gender, living situation, income, and health insurance provider. Data analysis using descriptive methods revealed the person most likely to choose the ED for health care is a Caucasian female in her early twenties with a median income of $15,000. She is a blue …

Relationship Between Pulse Oximetry Measurements And Admission To A Hospital In The Wheezing Pediatric Population, Christine K. Dunnuck

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of pulse oximetry measurements as an objective measure of the severity of wheezing in pediatric emergency clients as demonstrated by subsequent admission. An ex-post facto study design with a retrospective chart review was used. Subjects (n=198) ranged in age from one month to 17 years. Consecutive admissions and random sampling of those discharged were used. Hypotheses were: (a) lower initial pulse oximetry measurements would increase the likelihood of admission and (b) younger patients would be admitted with higher pulse oximetry measurements.

Chi-square analysis and one way ANOVA statistical testing demonstrated …

The Effect Of An Initial Clinical Nursing Experience In A Nursing Home On Associate Degree Nursing Student Attitudes Toward The Elderly, Rita Lareau

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the change in associate degree nursing (ADN) students’ attitudes toward the elderly following an initial clinical nursing experience in a nursing home. The Neuman Systems Model (Neuman, 1995) was the conceptual focus for the research. A convenience sample of ADN students in a basic nursing care clinical course at a community college was used. The Kogan Attitudes Toward Old People Scale (Kogan, 1961) was utilized to assess student attitudes toward the elderly. A pretest was administered at the beginning of the course prior to the nursing home experience, and a post-test was …

The Experience Of Nurse Practitioners With Peer Support: A Phenomenological Study, Carol J. Prinzo

Masters Theses

As nurse practitioners move into non traditional roles they sometimes lack a social and professional support. Lack of peer support can cause a feeling of isolation and frustration for advanced practice nurses.

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to discover the lived experience of nurse practitioners with peer support. Four nurse practitioners described their experiences. These descriptions were analyzed for meaning using the Girogi method.

Four common themes emerged: support throughout the educational process, professional support, support from family and friends and frustration. The description of peer support was unique according to level of experience, practice setting and …

Quality Of Life Of The Hemodialysis Patient, Tammy Bronson

Masters Theses

There are over 250,000 people currently afflicted with end-stage renal disease and the number is rising every year. Although kidney transplant is the treatment of choice, lack of viable organs limits this option. Hemodialysis is the most common treatment modality for end stage renal disease. Quality of care is continuously monitored by physicians, nurses and dietitians, however there is also the need to examine the quality of life of the hemodialysis patient. This study replicated the works of Ferrans and Powers (1993).

Overall quality of life and four sub-scales (health and functioning, social and economic, psychological/spiritual, and family) were evaluated …

Parental Grief Responses To Perinatal Loss, Lisa M. Peacock

Masters Theses

An exploratory, descriptive design was used to examine parental grief and coping responses to perinatal loss. Florence Selder's Life Transition Theory (1989) was used as the conceptual fiamework. A survey approach was used for data collection. This included basic demographic questions, the Perinatal Bereavement Scale and the Jalowiec Coping Scale. A convenience sample was obtained, consisting of 24 women and 6 men in northern Michigan communities who had experienced a perinatal loss at some time in the past. Data were collected by an anonymous mailed survey. The results of the study revealed that all parents in this sample did exhibit …