Maternal, Child Health and Neonatal Nursing Commons^™

Effects Of Kangaroo Care On Procedural Pain In Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review, Alyssa M. Pagni, Sophia Kellar, Mary Rood

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Approximately 64,000 preterm infants are born annually in the United States. With preterm infants enduring between 10-16 painful procedures daily, it is important for nurses to use interventions that effectively decrease pain. Procedural pain in premature infants may result in short-term and long-term negative physical, cognitive, and emotional effects. Kangaroo care is the act of holding an infant making skin on skin contact. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify, review, and critically appraise the evidence from studies examining the effect of Kangaroo Care on procedural pain in premature infants. Literature was searched in university databases and Google …

A Study Of Skin-To-Skin Care During Cesarean Birth: A Mother's Experience, Kristen Bertrand

Summer Community of Scholars Posters (RCEU and HCR Combined Programs)

No abstract provided.

Opioid Abuse In Pregnancy: A Systematic Review, Emily Sebunia, Colleen Fearon

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Prenatal opioid abuse is a serious public health concern and linked with numerous health consequences for both mothers and children. Despite research describing negative outcomes of drug use during pregnancy, it is still a prevalent problem in the United States, with researchers finding that women are at highest risk for substance abuse during their reproductive years. Opioid abuse during pregnancy is common, including opioids such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, and heroin. Use of these drugs results in both short and long term side effects for the mother and child. Therefore, the prevalence of this problem should not be underestimated. …

An Evaluation Of An Innovative Weight Management Program In A Primary Care Setting, Susan Peak

DNP Projects

Background- Kentucky ranks third in the nation for childhood overweight and obesity. . Consumption of high dietary fat, excessive use of electronics, low levels of physical activity and consumption of sugar filled drinks are modifiable behaviors believed to be the biggest culprits behind these statistics.

Purpose- The purpose of this evaluation was to assess the implementation of the 5-2-1-0 plan in the management of childhood overweight or obesity within an urban primary care clinic.

Methods- After initiation of the program by the clinic focused interviews with the primary care providers were conducted to evaluate barriers and benefits to …

Effect Of A Parent Empowerment Program On Length Of Stay And Parental Stress In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Holly L. Nieves

DNP Projects

PURPOSE: Research surrounding topics in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit have long been focused on mortality and morbidity of this population. However, consideration of the parent-infant relationship and subsequently adverse outcomes that could be formed during the intensive care stay should be examined. Parent empowerment programs in the NICU have been shown to decrease length of stay, parental stress, and depression. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the COPE for HOPE parent empowerment program on length of stay, parental stress, maternal depression, and parent satisfaction in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with parents of infants …

Exploring Barriers And Consequences Related To Nurses Reporting Child Abuse, Asmita Devkota

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: Child abuse is a pervasive and serious problem in the United States. Over 3 million children are the victims of some kind of physical assault by adults. Due to their prolonged contact with children and opportunity to report, nurses should be trained to accurately assess, identify, and manage cases of child abuse. The purpose of this study was to examine student’s experiences with Child Protective Services, and explore their confidence and attitudes related to identifying and reporting child abuse. Factors associated with non-reporting were identified.

Methodology: This was an exploratory, descriptive study. Students enrolled in the online …

Associations Between Pre-Pregnancy Weight Status And/Or Gestational Weight Gain And Obesity In Older Children, Marisa P. Hammond

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Childhood obesity is a global health concern that puts children at risk for developing serious health complications. With increasing rates worldwide, it is important to determine how to decrease its prevalence and promote prevention in future generations. Emerging evidence indicating that pre-pregnancy weight status and/or gestational weight gain (GWG) may be linked with overweight/obesity in children. Much of this body of research focused on weight status of offspring at birth and at preschool age. The purpose of this study is to: (1) analyze the research findings regarding obesity in children 5 to 18 years and their mother’s pre-pregnancy weight status …

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

Senior Honors Theses

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

The Meaning Of Giving Birth: Voices Of Hmong Women Living In Vietnam, Cheryl A. Corbett, Lynn Clark Callister, Jamie Peterson Gettys, Jacob R. Hickman

Faculty Publications

Increasing knowledge about the sociocultural context of birth is essential to promote culturally sensitive nursing care. This qualitative study provides an ethnographic view of the perspectives of birthing of Hmong mothers living in the highlands of Vietnam. Unique cultural beliefs exist in Hmong culture about the spiritual and physical wold as well as ritual practices associated with childbearing. This includes variations of ancestor worship, reincarnation, and healing practices by shamans. Traditionally, Hmong families take an active role in childbirth with birth frequently occurring in the home. Situated within a large collaborative anthropology project, a convenience sample of 8 Hmong women, …

Influence Of Contextual Factors And Self Efficacy On Self- Management In Parents Of Children With Cystic Fibrosis, Erin B. Booth

Theses and Dissertations

Cystic Fibrosis, a life threatening autosomal recessive genetic disease, is characterized by a defective gene resulting in the production of thick mucus that obstructs the lungs and pancreas. CF requires intensive management performed at the home. An initial pilot study was performed to describe knowledge of CF related diabetes (CFRD) in adults with CF. The findings of this study, which demonstrated that adults with CF lacked sufficient knowledge about CFRD confirmed the need to explore additional factors of self-management guided by a theoretical framework. The second study presented in this dissertation used the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory (IFSMT) to …

Delayed Umbilical Cord Clamping: A State Of The Science, Landynn E. Ouellette

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

The purpose of this paper is to explore the state of the science related to delayed versus early umbilical cord clamping. This interprofessional change in practice and protocol needs to take place within obstetric practice, which can be made up of obstetricians, midwives, nurse practitioners, and nurses. Patients must be educated by their providers so that they can better understand the care being performed. A search of the literature published through PubMed was conducted using the key phrases delayed umbilical cord clamping (DUCC), benefits of delayed cord clamping, and umbilical cord protocols. The search yielded 133 titles, which was limited …

Lactation Clinic: Improving Patient Lactation Support, Iana Johnson

Master's Projects and Capstones

Despite the numerous health benefits and recommendations that breastfeeding is the optimal method for nourishing infants, many still choose other ways to feed their babies during the first year of life. This project considers the initiation and future implementation of a Lactation Clinic as an additional patient support service provided in the inpatient and outpatient settings. A Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) was conducted in an effort to evaluate and eliminate “what could go wrong” before such an establishment becomes operational. The Risk Priority Numbers (RPNs) from the analysis reveal the lack of use (RPN 50) and streamlining (RPN …

The Use Of Electroacupuncture For Cervical Ripening In Pregnant Women, Becky A. Nauta

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare cervical ripening outcomes, based on Bishop scoring methodology, of pregnant women receiving usual care treatment (UC) with those receiving electroacupuncture plus UC. A sample of 36 pregnant women completing their 39^th week of gestation was randomized into one of the two groups. The women in the UC group continued to meet with their provider on a weekly basis until delivery. The women in the electroacupuncture plus usual care group met with their provider on a weekly basis and also received electroacupuncture treatments: three in the 39th gestational week and two in …

Birthing Center Versus Hospitalized Birth, Nicolette Larsen

CrissCross

There are many risks and benefits of giving birth at a birthing center versus a hospital. Determining the location of birth is an important decision, as women in the world today have many options of where to have their child. Hospitals and birthing centers are two places where medical professionals provide prenatal, labor and delivery, and postpartum care for the mother and fetus during this memorable time. While hospital nurses and physicians provide advanced medical care, birthing centers focus on holistic care of the family unit emphasizing mental, spiritual, and physical health. Doctors often perform cesarean sections (C-sections) for non-medical …

Reducing Annual Emergency Department Visits Through Improved Asthma Discharge Teaching, Alvin R. Walters

Master's Projects and Capstones

Asthma is the most common pediatric condition in the United States, and a child's home environment plays an impactful role in the triggering of asthma exacerbations (Harper et al., 2015). Current emergency department (ED) ideology focuses on symptoms management, with little time spent on education, and virtually no attention paid to the home environment. Evidence shows that programs which incorporate home environmental assessments into asthma patient education produce a reduction in annual ED visits, fewer missed school days, decreased use of rescue medications, and improvements in quality of life (Gruber K.J., et al, 2016, Hollenbach J.P. & Cloutier M.M., 2015, …

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

Senior Honors Theses

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

Socio-Demographics And Exclusive Breastfeeding In The Medicaid/Women Infant And Children (Wic) Population In Spartanburg County, April D. Miller

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Breast milk is recognized as the optimal source of nutrition for infants because of its unique nutritional and immunological characteristics. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of an infant’s life. "Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF)" is defined as no other food or drink except breast milk for the first six months of life. Despite its countless benefits to children and mothers, the continuation rates of exclusive breastfeeding are low in the United States, especially in the Medicaid/Women Infant and Children population. It is vital to understand how multiple factors affect breastfeeding practices in order to …

Parturient Safety: Proper Positioning Education Prior To Neuraxial Anesthesia, Christina Joy Young

Doctoral Projects

In the United States, 61% of parturient patients elect neuraxial anesthesia for labor pain (Koyyalamudi et al., 2016). The incidence of postdural puncture headache is estimated up to 81% following accidental dural puncture-especially in pregnant women receiving elective epidurals (Ragab & Facharzt, 2014). Although the combined rates of complications for spinal and epidural anesthesia are low (2.78%) (American Society Anesthesiologists, 2014), patient safety is extremely important and should be addressed by the overall healthcare system. The purpose of this project assessed a willingness to change which focused on the CRNAs incorporation of proper positioning education prior to neuraxial anesthesia into …

Reducing Hypotension In Elective Cesarean Section Patients With Administration Of Ondansetron Prior To Spinal Anesthesia: A Retrospective Chart Analysis, Linsey Erin Phipps

Doctoral Projects

The birth of a child is one of the most memorable moments in a woman’s life, and many women undergo an elective cesarean section, requiring spinal anesthesia. At this time, the patient and the unborn child’s well-being become the anesthetist’s main focus. The ultimate goal of anesthesia providers is to provide the safest care to the patient. Spinal anesthesia has many benefits, but has a common side effect of hypotension, which can also result in nausea. Hypotension, dangerous to mother and child, is often treated with vasopressors, but can also cause nausea, which is treated by the administration of ondansetron. …

Intergenerational Hispanic Perceptions Of Childhood Obesity, Janelle Weiss

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: Childhood obesity is on the rise in the United States especially among minority families. This study investigates how Hispanic parents perceive their child's weight based on years of acculturation, education level, age, child’s gender and 1^st or 2^nd generation status.

Objective: To assess if there are differences in perception between more acculturated Hispanic immigrants and their less acculturated counterparts.

Methods: Data were collected using the Child's Body Image Scale. Participants were asked to arrange the images based on a series of questions inquiring about their perception of their child and health in general. BMI's were then …