Nursing research
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Persons with increased intracranial pressure (ICP) from all causes are subject to periods of markedly increased pressure. Research since the initial clinical studies in the early 1960s has focused primarily on characteristics of ICP variations in specific pathologies and on mechanisms basic to increases in ICP rather than on the relationship between basic patient-care activities, such as moving the patient in bed, and variations in ICP. Therefore, nine patients with pressure-controlled ventriculostomy drainage systems were observed continuously for up to 24 hours to determine whate, if any, patient-nurse activities were associated with transient of sustained increased ICP. ⋯ The difference between predicted and actual incidence of VFD was statistically significant (p less than .001) for all eight patients. Although each patient displayed individual patterns of specific activity associated with VFD, turning in bed and conversation about the patient's condition were consistent among the sample. Coughing, chewing use of bedpan, and restless movemenss were consistently associated with VFD in patients.
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A descriptive comparative study examined not only the relationship between stressful life events and mental-illness and -wellness behaviors but also the coping methods used by individuals exhibiting each behavior. Data collection included the use of the Holmes and Rahe Social Readjustment Rating Scale and an 18-item coping scale administered to experimental and control samples. The experimental group consisted of 30 psychiatric inpatients in three general hospitals who were oriented in three spheres. ⋯ Sex and age differences were noted. A significant association was found between high stress scores and short-term coping methods for subjects in both groups. The concept of change as it relates to stress and its effect on health is an important consideration for health care professionals whose goals are health maintenance and illness prevention.
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To determine if there are admission criteria that predict success in graduate nursing education, an investigation was conducted of 193 graduates who had successfully completed the masters nursing program at a private eastern university. Admission criteria and other variables chosen were nursing, nonnursing, and cumulative undergraduate grade point averages (GPAs); verbal, quantitative, and combined Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores; age at entrance; number of years intervening between attainment of the bachelors and completion of the masters degree; and, number of years intervening between the basic nursing education and the completion of the masters degree. Each variable was correlated with masters GPA for degree of association. ⋯ Weak associations were found between verbal, quantitative, and total GRE scores and the masters GPA, with two exceptions: for psychiatric and community health subgroups there were moderate degrees of association between verbal GRE scores and the masters GPA. Age was not an effective criterion for predicting degree of success in the program. Both measures of intervening years were found to be weakly associated with the masters GPA.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Pediatric surgical patients' and parents' stress responses and adjustment as a function of psychologic preparation and stress-point nursing care.
The purpose of this study was to test the hypotheses that children who receive systematic psychologic preparation and continued supportive care, in contrast to those who do not, would show less upset behavior and more cooperation in the hospital and fewer post-hospital adjustment problems and that their parents would be less anxious and more satisfied with information and care received. Eighty children scheduled for minor surgery and their parents were randomly assigned to experimental and control conditions. ⋯ Significant differences between experimental and control children and parents on ratings of upset behavior, cooperation with procedures, pulse before and after painful procedures, resistance to induction, time to first voiding, posthospital adjustment, and parental anxiety and satisfaction with information and care consistently supported the hypotheses. Results were also analyzed in relation to the age and sex of the children and whether parents roomed with the children.