Pediatric Nursing Commons^™

Family And Child Development Education For Harrisonburg Adolescents, Mollie M. Moran, Jennifer E. Corser, Julia M. Glauber

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The pregnancy rate among 15- to 17-year-old women in Harrisonburg is double Virginia's state rate (Townsend, 2008). While meeting administers and guidance counselors of Harrisonburg High School we learned that Harrisonburg High School views this issue as one that cannot be addressed by teaching abstinence in their public school. They have found that because of cultural beliefs, abstinence is not an effective tool for preventing teenage pregnancy. Instead, HHS teaches their students about safe sexual practices and how to have a healthy pregnancy in the event they were to become pregnant. The high school offers a class called “Child and …

Effects Of Multimodal Fever Education On Parents Of Febrile Children, Teresa S. Parkhouse

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Insufficient knowledge regarding the physiology and appropriate management of fever in children often contributes to an increased parental anxiety, inappropriate antipyretic use, and overutilization of medical resources (Chang, Liu, & Huang, 2013; Crocetti, Moghbeli, & Serwint, 2001; Schmitt, 1980). Parental concerns regarding childhood fever can lead to an overuse of health care resources as febrile illness in children accounts for approximately 20% of emergency department visits, 30% of office visits, and over 50% of after-hour phone calls to private physicians (Zomorrodi & Attia, 2008). Research shows that multidimensional educational interventions are most effective in improving parental management of fever (Young …

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 …

Improving Vaccination Compliance Among Amish Children In Knox County, Ohio, Laura J. Segraves

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Children living in Amish communities in Ohio are under-immunized and under-immunized communities are reservoirs for preventable childhood diseases. A recent measles outbreak in central Ohio involved 9 counties and 377 cases of this vaccine-preventable disease. There were 5 hospitalizations related to this measles outbreak in Knox County. Vaccine-preventable illnesses contribute to pediatric morbidity and mortality and are cost prohibitive to individuals and society.

The purpose of this study was to identify real and perceived barriers to immunizations among Amish parents in Knox County, Ohio. The information obtained in this study will be disseminated to the Knox County Health Department …

The Effects Of An Evidence-Based Food Allergy Management Plan To Keep Children With Food Allergies Safe At School, Scarlet R. Spain

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

The prevalence of food allergies in children has increased 18% between 1997 and 2007 (CDC, 2013). Furthermore, 84% of food allergic children will experience a reaction at school (Powers, Bergren, & Finnegan, 2007). An exposure in a sensitive child may progress quickly into potentially life threatening symptoms and death if not treated. The purpose of this evidence based practice (EBP) project was to determine if implementation of a food allergy management policy in a school setting reduced overall incidence rates of food allergy reactions in school children and to examine compliance to policy guidelines. The project encompassed implementation of a …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder And Mindfulness Practice In Children And Adolescents: A Comprehensive Review Of Evidence-Based Research, Donna Nikander

Doctoral Projects

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common mental illness in the United States among male and female children and adolescents between the ages of 3 and 17. The emerging fields of neurobiology and neuroimaging have proposed a relationship between mindfulness meditation therapies—initially referred to as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and now simply known as mindfulness—and improvements in attention and self-regulation, two major problem areas for ADHD sufferers. Furthermore, recent studies suggest that mindfulness therapies may be effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD in children and adolescents. The purpose of this paper is to review, analyze and synthesize the …

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Home Visitation Is Associated With A Decrease In Home Care And Healthcare Utilization Errors In High Risk Infants, Rupalee Patel

Doctoral Projects

The Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System’s (SCVHHS) Babies Reaching Improved Development and Growth in their Environment (BRIDGE) program was developed in 2011 to optimize high risk infants' care transition from Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to home. In addition to hospital discharge teaching and public health nursing efforts, NICU infants need further in home support given their medical vulnerability after discharge. The objectives of the SCVHHS BRIDGE program are to provide caregiver interventions to minimize home care errors after NICU discharge and to optimize health care access and utilization across the transition of care. SCVHHS NICU infants at …

Napnap Position Statement On Immunizations, Lacey M. Eden

Faculty Publications

The National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) fully supports timely and complete immunization of all infants, children, adolescents, and adults to maximize the health and well-being of all people. Routine childhood immunizations prevent approximately 2.5 million deaths every year (World Health Organization, 2012). Maintaining the highest immunization rates possible is essential to prevent outbreaks of vaccine preventable diseases across the nation (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2013). The CDC recommends that all children, adolescents, and adults be immunized to protect children who are most vulnerable to serious illness and death (CDC, 2014). In concert with the American …

I'Ve Been Diagnosed: A Champion! Crohn's & Colitis Family Day, Samantha M. Goldberg

Honors College Theses

This Honors thesis outlines the creation of “I’ve Been Diagnosed: A Champion! Crohn’s & Colitis Family Day”—an experience designed to provide Southeast Georgia children and families affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) an opportunity to enhance community involvement and build a support network through therapeutic recreation, team-based activities, education, and a positive family-centered environment. Following the nursing process focusing on the community as the patient, this paper is organized by assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, and evaluation. A literature review was conducted and interviews with a medical professional and a patient were completed. Specific interventions were planned using the nursing process …

Maine's Breastfeeding Gap: How Initiation And Duration Differ By Socioeconomic Status, Zoe Miller

Thinking Matters Symposium Archive

The preventive health benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and children are widely recognized. Leading health authorities recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.

Though breastfeeding rates in the United States have been increasing for the past decade, significant disparities continue across race and socioeconomic status.

The Benefits Of Breastfeeding, Helen L. Byers

Senior Honors Theses

It is important to educate women of childbearing age, their families, and society of the benefits that breastfeeding has over bottle-feeding and formula-feeding. The benefits of breastfeeding are in three main categories. First, the developmental, physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits of the baby will be discussed. Then the physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits for the mother will be talked about along with possible contraindications or difficulties. Finally, the financial benefits of breastfeeding over feeding an infant from the bottle will be discussed as it relates to the family and government. The goal is to persuade that breastfeeding is a superior …

An Assessment Of Knowledge And Attitude Towards Stock Epinephrine Among Kentucky School Nurses, Brandi M. Duran

DNP Projects

This cross-sectional, pre-post intervention study was designed to gather information on Kentucky School Nurses attitude and knowledge toward non-prescribed epinephrine auto injectors in Kentucky Schools. All 500 members of the Kentucky Schools Nurses Association received a link to the pretest, educational intervention and posttest via email. Of those, 75 nurses responded and 72 were eligible to participate in the study. The data was analyzed through a paired t-test using SPSS. The results showed an increase in level of comfort with epinephrine, although it was not statistically significant. There was a statistical significance between the pretest and posttest when school nurses …

Outpatient Medication Error Improvement, Savannah M. Klinginsmith

Master's Projects and Capstones

Patient Safety Initiative -Improving Medication Administration (Outpatient Care)

SPECIFIC AIM: We aim to Improve the medication administration process and involve all staff within 6 months

In the microsystem consisting of 14 family practice and urgent care clinics, there is not a standard process based on evidence based practices for medication administration. With and estimated of 400-600 medications (immunizations included) being administered per day, without a standard of care protocol, the risk for medication errors is evident.

Objectives and changes anticipated based on implementation of the project is to engage staff in support for improving medication administration standard of care based …

Microbial Exposure And Asthma: Applying Strachan’S Hygiene Hypothesis To Nursing Practice, Elisabeth M. Campbell

Senior Honors Theses

The incidence of asthma has risen significantly in recent decades. Asthma is a complex disease process affected by multiple factors including environmental exposure, genetics, epigenetics, and lifestyle. In 1989, the hygiene hypothesis was proposed based on Strachan’s findings suggesting increased exposure to microbes may have protective benefits against allergic rhinitis and eczema. Since that time, research in this arena has exploded as investigators seek to establish a causal link between increased microbial exposure and decreased incidence of allergic disease. The aim of this literature review is to synthesize the current research regarding Strachan’s hygiene hypothesis and identify the nursing implications …

Examining General Versus Condition-Specific Health Related Quality Of Life Across Weight Categories In An Adolescent Sample, Autumn G. Dalton

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Approximately 34% of adolescents are overweight or obese which can be accompanied by physical, psychosocial, and economic consequences. Increasingly, pediatric overweight/obesity research has focused on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) as a health outcome. This study examined differences in HRQoL across weight categories in adolescents, specifically, the sensitivity of using a general versus condition-specific measure. Further, the influence of gender was explored.

Data were extracted from Wave 2 of Team Up for Healthy Living, a school-based obesity prevention program targeting adolescents in Southern Appalachia. Participants (N = 918; 50% Female; 93% Caucasian; 90% 9^th graders) completed …

Pilot Study: Avoiding Readmissions Of Heart Failure Patients Across Transitions Of Care, Analiza Baldonado

Doctoral Projects

Background: A major problem facing the U.S. healthcare system is avoidable hospital readmissions. Patients with Heart Failure (HF) face variety of barriers to health care and are at higher risk for readmissions. To address this problem, evidence-based interventions focused on safe transition from hospital to home are needed.

Methods: A quality improvement pilot project was implemented to evaluate the feasibility of evidence based interventions in preventing avoidable readmissions. The project setting was in a 900 bed health care system. The descriptive statistical methods were means and frequencies. The Transition Coordinator (TC) enrolled a convenience sample of 30 participants. The evidence …

The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative, Kathryn E. Brackett

Senior Honors Theses

Abstract

The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a worldwide movement started by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that is aimed at providing hospitals with a certification that guarantees the best possible patient-centered care for mothers and infants. It focuses on breastfeeding as optimal infant nutrition, and implements strategies to encourage and support mothers to breastfeed their infants exclusively for six months after birth. The Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding are a set of 10 simple, easy to understand guidelines developed by WHO and UNICEF for implementing this initiative in the hospital setting and …

South Carolina School Nurses' Knowledge, Opinions, Perceptions, And Practice Measures Regarding Childhood Obesity, Logan Camp

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Childhood obesity has become a significant national health issue due to rising incidences and associated chronic medical conditions. School nurses across the United States of America are in prime positions to address childhood obesity as they have access to large numbers of children and adolescents in school settings. A review of current literature demonstrated that school nurses were overall knowledgeable concerning childhood obesity, but encountered numerous barriers in enacting weight-related assessments and treatment programs. The purpose of this research study was to determine the knowledge, opinions, perceptions, and practice measures of South Carolina school nurses regarding childhood obesity. The "School …

Role Of The "Tobacco Free Teens" Mobile Application In Adolescent Smoking, Juawanna L. Schuller

DNP Projects

Adolescent tobacco use rates have plateaued. Tobacco use education is not mandatory in all states, yet schools remain a good opportunity to reach this population. School nurses should be able to identify components of effective tobacco use prevention education programs and learn to overcome barriers to implementation of these programs. The "Tobacco Free Teens" mobile application is a novel tool that may decrease adolescent tobacco use rates. A pilot study found that the Tobacco Free Teens mobile application was satisfactory to most participants but appealed to girls more than boys. Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of this …

Evaluation Of The Childhood Blood Lead Screening Component Of The Southern Nevada Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, Melissa Breunig, Shawn Gerstenberger

Interdisciplinary Research Scholarship Day

The objective of this paper is to highlight the progress of the lead poisoning prevention program in Southern Nevada. Specifically, we present blood lead screening results for Clark County, Nevada from 2006 through 2011, and review the progress towards recommendations made by Rothweiler et al. for Nevada in 2007.7

Elementary School Based Health Centers As Providers Of School Entry Health Exams: Do They Meet The Standards?, Roberta Bavin

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The health of today's children is crucial for the future of our society. There are many children without access to healthcare in these turbulent economic times; times that are increasingly uncertain as society maneuvers its way through the maze of healthcare reform. School based health centers (SBHCs) provide a safety net for children needing basic healthcare who are otherwise underserved. School entry health examinations (SEHE) are legal requirements in many states, and are a proven method for identifying health conditions early enough in a child's life that they can be corrected. Treating identified health conditions facilitates academic success for children, …

Colorful Perspectives: Caring For Sick Children In Pune, India, Rachael Butterfield

Inquiry Journal 2011

No abstract provided.

Parental Perception Of Childhood Obesity And The School's Role On Prevention And Interventions In Childhood Obesity, Monique Jones

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Childhood obesity is a major health crisis that is becoming an epidemic among children and adolescents. Interventions must begin early and focus on prevention strategies to achieve the goal of increasing quality years of life for today's children and families. Parents with children in a local after school Boys & Girls club were surveyed regarding their perception of childhood obesity, the causes of childhood obesity, and the school's role in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity. More than 90% of the participants identified inactivity, poor eating behavior, eating too much, and lack of money to buy nutritious foods as …

Improving Immunization Rates In The Clinic And In The Community, Karlen E. (Beth) Luthy, Arlene M. Sperhac, Sandra A. Faux, Joseph K. Miner

Faculty Publications

Over the past decade, the United States haas had tremendous success in achieving very high immunization compliance rates among children, sometimes as high as 91%. However, despite progress toward controlling the spread of communicable disease through immunizations, more than 2.1 million children nationwide are not adequately immunized. Even among US children who are adequately immunized, only about half of them actually received their immunization on time.

Nursing Students Knowledge Of Factors Influencing Parent Satisfaction Of Pediatric Nursing Care, Carol L. Smith

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Professional Pediatric Registered Nurses and parents of sick children share a common goal of returning the sick child to health. To the Pediatric Registered Nurse the means to achieving the goal of returning the child to wellness involves their knowledge of signs and symptoms of disease processes and their abilities to quickly respond to warning signs of impending illness. The knowledge and abilities of the Pediatric Registered Nurse is important to the parent of the ill child however to the parent there are many other elements of care delivery that can assist the Pediatric Registered Nurse and parent in achieving …

Parental Hesitation As A Factor In Delayed Childhood Immunization, Karlen E. (Beth) Luthy, Renea L. Beckstrand, Neil E. Peterson

Faculty Publications

Introduction: One reason for lower immunization rates is that some parents hesitate to have their children immunized. A hesitancy questionnaire was developed to identify reasons parents hesitate in having their children immunized.

Methods: The hesitancy questionnaire was distributed from local pediatric and family practice offices and from the area's county health department. To be eligible, participants needed to be present in the clinic with a child needing a minimum of one immunization that was at least 6 months overdue.

Results: When questioned why their child was overdue for immunizations, the most common response was that participants were confused about the …

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of An Anaphylaxis Training Program For Unlicensed Assistive Personnel, Jean A. Litarowsky

Master's Projects

This study evaluated a training program designed to prepare unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) in high school settings to recognize and respond effectively to an anaphylactic emergency. Subjects included 53 adults employed by a high school district in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. A training model was developed based on Bandura's theory of sources of self-efficacy. Knowledge and perceived self-efficacy of participants were measured before and after the training program to determine if a theory-based anaphylaxis recognition and epinephrine auto-injector training program would increase participants' knowledge and self-efficacy in responding to an anaphylactic emergency. Paired t-tests revealed significant improvement …

Coping And Social Support For Parents Of Children With Autism, Edith H. Luther

Master's Projects

The increased incidence of autism in children impacts families, educators, and health professionals. A descriptive survey design was used to obtain responses from parents of autistic children in public schools. Data collection instruments included The Social Support Index, SSI (McCubbin, Patterson, and Glynn, 1982), and The Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale, F-COPES (McCubbin, Olson, and Larsen, 1981 ). The majority of parents of autistic children perceived that they had support within their families and communities. One half of the families identified serious stressors in addition to autism. Acquiring social support and reframing were the coping strategies used most frequently. …

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of The "Youth Leadership" Class In The Prevention Of Adolescent Depression, Jacqueline Oria

Master's Projects

Depression in adolescence is a common and potentially life-threatening health problem. Depending upon the severity of symptoms, anywhere from 2% to 40% of teenagers are affected with depression (Sadler, 1993). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of prevention strategies on decreasing the rate of depression in adolescents. It is hoped that a class addressing specific skills identified as having an impact on adolescent depression will affect the youth participating in the program.

Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of A Health Education Program For Classroom Assistants, Patricia A. Robinson

Master's Projects

Classroom Instructional Assistants are being used more frequently to provide care for medically fragile children who are mainstreamed into the regular education setting. The purpose of this evaluative study was to develop a beginning health curriculum that could be provided as an inservice program for classroom Instructional Assistants. Content for the inservice consisted of handwashing, medication administration, asthma, and seizures. This study used a pretest and posttest design to look at the effectiveness of the educational inservice. There were 17 participants, 16 of whom completed the pretest and posttest. A pretest was administered prior to the inservice followed by a …