Nursing Commons^™

The Lived Experiences Of Children Who Have A Sibling With A Chronic Disability, Holly Willardson, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Between 5-31% of children in the United States will experience a chronic condition in their lifetime, a number which can only be expected to climb with the advances of medical technology that allow these children to live longer. Because of this rise in US children with chronic conditions or disabilities, research has examined the effects the condition has on the family unit. In the past, many studies on families raising children with disabilities/chronic conditions have drawn data from parents (mostly mothers), teachers, and clinicians, but little research has been gathered from the perspective of the sibling.

Barriers To Overcoming Malnutrition In Tucumán, Argentina, Trista Jones, Dr. Erin Maughan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the 1990s Argentina was considered one of the ten richest countries in the world; in 2002, Argentina underwent a severe governmental crisis that resulted in monetary inflation and high levels of unemployment (Arie, 2002). The economy has made it difficult for many to afford basic essentials like food. This political and economic instability has been considered a key component to the now prevalent problem of malnutrition in Argentine children, especially of the rural provinces. Estimates of up to two million children in the country suffer from malnutrition (Arie, 2002). Government and Humanitarian aid organizations provide some meals to children …

Nutrition Among Pre- And Post-Natal Argentine Mothers, Camber Cooper, Dr. Erin Maughan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Tucumán is the poorest province in the country of Argentina, made worse by recent economic turmoil. Maternal nutrition is not only important for her own health, but it is also crucial to her developing fetus, both before and during pregnancy, as all nutrients the infant receives during this time come solely from the mother (Lowdermilk & Perry, 2004). Considering the importance of maternal nutrition, reports of malnutrition in Argentina cause particular concern for pregnant and nursing women. According to Argentina’s National Institute of Censuses and Statistics (n.d.), infant mortality across the country in 2002 was 16.8 per 1,000 live births, …

A Comparison Of Growth Rates In Premature Infants In Tucamàn, Argentina And The United States: A Secondary Data Analysis, Emily Sear, Joann Abegglen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Extrauterine growth, or growth outside the womb following birth, is a serious challenge and concern in premature neonates. Preterm infants have low birth weights simply because they have not reached full growth and development at the time of birth.

Decreasing Student Nurse Anxity Through Mentored Learning, Denise Mann

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Anxiety is persistent feeling throughout the nursing school experience for the majority of students. Kleehammer, Hart and Keck conducted an anxiety study in which they found that nursing students face high levels of anxiety especially concerning “the initial clinical experience on a unit and fear of making mistakes” (1990).

Hispanic Labor Childbearing Women: Improving Perinatal Outcomes, Cambria Jones, Dr. Lynn Callister

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In recent years there has been a surge in the influx of Hispanic immigrants to the United States. With this influx of immigrants pushing beyond the border states into more central United States, healthcare providers have been presented with the challenge of how to adequately meet the needs of Hispanic immigrants.

Women And Their Nurses’ Perceptions Of The Birthing Experience And Factors That Influence Change In Birth Preference, Jennifer L. Hamilton, Troy Carlton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nurses provide essential care and support during labor and the lack of such support has been equated with decreased patient satisfaction. Satisfaction of laboring women has been found to be important because women most commonly will make future health care decisions for their families. The intent of this study was two parts. 1. To identify factors which influence women to change their birth preference and 2.To identify how nurses’ personal bias and perceptions of the birth experience influence a women change in their birth preference.

Implementing Pediatric Stimulator Experience: Student Satisfaction, Elizabeth Laney, Dr. Patricia Ravert

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to implement the pediatric simulator into the Nursing Pediatrics course and then assess student satisfaction. This included learning about how to run the patient simulator, finding study cases related to clinical situations, and working with teachers to plan lab time. The goal was to understand how the simulator improves student education and prepares them for the work force.

Emergency Department Demographic Study, Jennifer K. Taylor, Russ Wilshaw, Rn, Ms, Cen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Emergency Departments provide health care to individuals twenty-four hours a day. To better meet the needs of consumers it is necessary to understand the main population groups utilizing emergency departments. This can be accomplished through demographic studies of various emergency departments. The research project I was involved with studied the clients of American Fork Emergency Room in Utah.

Using Nursing Knowledge To Improve Health Literacy, Michele K. Savin, Msn, Nnp-Bc

College of Nursing Faculty Papers & Presentations

Health Literacy: an ability to obtain and understand written, oral, and numerical health information, which allows people to make appropriate healthcare decisions for themselves and their family members.

The Problem:

*Low Health Literacy affects up to twenty percent of the adult population in the US and is not correlated with highest education achieved.

*Hospitals and healthcare professionals are increasingly being held accountable to create systems of care that address this issue with every patient encounter.

*AHRQ talks about implementing Universal Literacy Precautions.

Pneumonia Pathway Effects On Hospital Readmission Rates, Maribeth Kelly, Msn, Rn, Pccn, Raymond Malloy, Mha, Rrt, Brian Glynn, Bs, Rrt

Department of Nursing papers and presentations

Purpose

There are inconsistencies in treating inpatients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) and providing adequate post

discharge follow-up contributing to significant hospital readmission rates and increased health care costs. Our null hypothesis for this study was that the use of a pneumonia care pathway will have a significant effect on hospital readmission rates.

Effects Of Pharmacotherapy On Children With Autism And Their Families, Kelli Arnesen, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Autism spectrum disorders have been diagnosed more than ever before in children, and a cure is yet to be found. Until a cure is discovered, families must depend on health care professionals to aid in the management of autism, which includes pharmacological measures. The medications used to treat autism are only used to treat the symptoms of autism; they do not treat the disorder itself (Tuchman 2003). There are a wide variety of pharmacotherapies used to treat autism. The goal of my project was to determine commonly used medications to treat some of the common symptoms of autism and how …

Support Of Laboring Mothers In Argentina, Melissa Pickett, Dr. Lynn C. Callister

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The College of Nursing expects students to provide care for patients globally in other cultures as well as patients in our own country. Learning how to meet the mothers’ needs from Argentina will inform health care professionals how to provide the best care to mothers whose newborns are in the NICU. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to gain understanding of the experiences of Argentine mothers who gave birth to newborns who were receiving care in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Mean Oxygen Saturation In Well Neonates At 4498 Feet, Laura Hess, Dr. Patricia Ravert

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Oxygen saturation is an important indicator of the overall health of a newborn, so important that it is considered a vital sign. The normal limit for oxygen saturation (SpO2) in babies born at lower altitudes is 90-100%. Anything less than 90% is considered a sign that the infant is not receiving enough oxygen. At this time, the mean oxygen saturation level of well neonates born at higher altitudes (above 4498 ft) is not known. Infants who have SpO2 measurements of less than 92% without symptoms of respiratory distress may be treated with oxygen and infants may even go home with …

Description Of Low-Birth Weight Neonates Height, Weight, And Occipital Frontal Circumference Measurements In Utah, Alene Duersch Cutler, Dr. Debra Mills

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In previous studies, it has been shown that some aspects of growth differ among children who are below considered normal birth weight when compared to children of average birth weight. It is noted that for healthcare providers to apply helpful interventions, more understanding of the actual definition of growth in premature infants needs to be gained. The better providers understand this growth, more appropriate interventions can be identified to help aid these children as they continue to grow and develop. Parents/guardians of severely premature infants can also be advised of possible growth deficits that may occur in the future and …

Effectiveness Of Hospital Procedures For Insuring The Uninsured In The Salt Lake Area, Holly Barnett, Dr, Erin Maughan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Utah currently offers several government-funded insurance programs to help insure its residents who would otherwise go without. Despite the implementation of these programs, 18.9% of adults and 10% of children live in Utah without medical insurance (MSNBC Interactive, Utah Department of Health). This group of uninsured adults and children are at greater risk for delayed care, resulting in an increased likelihood for advanced illness and, therefore, decreased health (Ayanian et al, 2000). For this reason, it is important to identify those Utah residents not covered under a medical insurance policy and connect them with the proper programs. The hospital is …

Assessing Hand Washing Techniques Among Nurses In Ecuador, Cora Yoose, Dr. Ana Birkhead

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Healthcare-associated infection (HAI) is described as infection acquired in a hospital or healthcare setting. HAI is a problem in the health care setting that can be drastically curtailed by the implementation of proper hand hygiene practice. Increased cost of care for patients and the increased incidence of death are associated with HAI. Hand washing is the single most important measure to prevent transmission of infection. Indeed, hand hygiene is a very simple and cost effective way to prevent HAI.

Understanding Factors That Influence Quality Of Life In Young Adults With Chronic Pain, Sarah Hocking, Dr. Jane Lassetter

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Chronic pain is a prevalent condition among adults of all ages. It has been estimated that between a quarter and a third of older adults experience chronic pain (Donald & Foy, 2004). The chronic pain experience of older adults has been the subject of much research (Schofield, Ryan, & Clarke, 2006; Hopman-Rock, Kraaimaat, & Billsma, 1997). Less research exists on the chronic pain experience of young adults with chronic pain, although young adults represent a significant number of chronic pain sufferers.

Perceptions Of Parents Raising A Child With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Megan Hallam, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of my study was to examine gender differences in mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions of raising a child with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Set in the intermountain west, the study used a qualitative descriptive approach to analyze 13 parent interviews conducted over the telephone (7 mothers and 6 fathers), which were transcribed verbatim and analyzed for themes using appropriate qualitative methodology. I created a script for the questionnaire consisting of seven main questions with additional probe questions I could use to glean more information from the interviews. After I transcribed the interviews, I grouped the answers to each question …

The Experiences Of Fathers Raising A Child Who Has A Disability, Michelle Groesbeck, Dr. Barbara Mandleco

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The presence of a child with a chronic disability is often considered a major stressor, imposing profound effects on families. Currently, between 5-31% of children in the United States are afflicted with chronic disability; a trend that is deeply impacting families and society as expanding technology increases life expectancy for these children1. A number of studies have focused on families raising a child with a disability, but minimal information has been obtained about fathers and their experiences. The purpose of this project was to gain information about challenges and concerns fathers have along with resources they have utilized in raising …