Copyright (c) 2009 University of Pennsylvania All rights reserved. http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr Recent documents in Journal of Nursing Student Research en-us Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:12:11 PDT 3600 http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol2/iss1/3 http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol2/iss1/3 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:03:37 PDT Perinatal depression and increased stress levels may be more prevalent in same-sex female couples than heterosexually active couples. Several studies have illustrated that lesbians are at greater risk for heightened stress and anxiety around the time of pregnancy and family planning (Trettin, Moses-Kolko, & Wisner, 2005). Improved education for health care providers may lead to greater awareness ofhow to cater to alternative families. Simple changes like using gender-neutral pronouns such as "partner" or "significant other" instead of "father of the baby", "boyfriend", or "husband" can make a safer atmosphere for lesbian couples. Creating a comfortable environment for same-sex female couples can lead to disclosure of sexual orientation, which provides information for the health care provider on how to best serve that couple; this could ensure optimum care and decrease the risk of perinatal depression in this population. Yana Sigal http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol2/iss1/2 http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol2/iss1/2 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:47:55 PDT With fertility now possible at a later age, women find themselves at an increased risk for concurrent breast cancer diagnosis. Due to the teratogenic effects of most chemotherapeutic agents, difficult decisions must be made regarding the best outcomes for both mother and baby. Depending on the stage of their cancer, the gestational age of the fetus, and the timing of the diagnosis, women must choose between a therapeutic abortion, safer surgical modalities, a modified treatment plan beginning in the second or third trimester, or postponement of the treatment until the baby is born. Oncology and OB/GYN nurses need to be aware of these complex cases and offer advanced support and care to meet the needs of their patients. Mary Schmitt http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol2/iss1/1 http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol2/iss1/1 Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:42:33 PDT Postpartum depression is a national health priority. It affects nearly half ofall adolescent mothers. Postpartum depression can lead to developmental and psychological disabilities in both mother and child. This article reviews three previously completed studies to gather information about various risk factors for the development ofpostpartum depression. The article also proposes solutions to prevent depression that can be put into action by nurses across the United States. Risk factors identified from the studies include ethnicity, socioeconomic background, adolescent self-esteem and adolescent's feeling of competency in child care. In order to prevent postpartum depression, nurses must screen for risk factors and provide continuing education and about child care, self image, and available support and social services. Bridget A. Baginsky http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss2/5 http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss2/5 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 11:56:45 PDT The intrauterine device (IUD) is the most popular form of reversible contraception in the world. The United States, however, has extremely low usage rates due to negative beliefs about the safety of its use. This article explores the reason for these false beliefs and why they are only found within the litigious culture of the United States. It seeks to quash the rumors of the danger of infertility by refuting evidence from several studies, including an assessment of the actual risks of using an IUD. Grace R. Wilson http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss2/4 http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss2/4 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:52:25 PDT Background: Less than half of children and adults meet physical activity recommendations. Effective interventions are especially needed to improve physical activity in African American females because they report less physical activity than their Caucasian and male counterparts. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the Girls on the Go after-school program on the physical fitness of its participants. Methods: Half-mile run times for "Girls on the Go" participants were collected at the beginning of the program and three months later at the conclusion of the program. Only three participants were present for both runs. Results: Due to the small sample size, no statistical analysis was conducted, but there appears to be no significant differences between pre- and post-tests. Discussion: Possible explanations for the lack of change from pre- to post-test are discussed. The results of this study could be used to inform further research. Allison Ramsey-Lefevre http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss2/3 http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss2/3 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:45:38 PDT Through a review of journal articles and other literature, this paper highlights some of the challenges and rewards of designing, implementing, and interpreting quantitative measurements of the contribution by registered nurses to the quality of care in an inpatient setting. As performance measurement becomes the standard response to the rising demand for high-quality and low-cost hospital care, the nursing profession has powerful incentives to develop and utilize nursing-sensitive quality indicators. Through the use of pilot studies, research, education, and practice can be applied towards developing nursing-sensitive quality indicators and measurement methodology. In this way, nurse researchers can work hand in hand with government agencies and hospital administrators to test and refine new approaches to measuring nursing contribution to patient health outcomes (some of which may be adapted from other disciplines) that will then be assessed thoroughly in other settings to determine their applicability on a wider scale. Elaine Hoi http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss2/2 http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss2/2 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:40:32 PDT Purpose: To evaluate the current evidence on quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes for survivors of pediatric bone cancer in the lower extremities and to ascertain whether limb-sparing surgery does indeed bestow an advantage to these survivors. Methods: A thorough search of the literature was conducted. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) published in the last 10 years in English, (b) focused upon patients diagnosed when they were < 25 years of age, and (c) focused on QOL and functional outcomes in pediatric bone cancer patients who underwent either limb-sparing surgery or amputation in their course of treatment. Results: Sixteen articles were found that fulfilled all inclusion criteria. No significant differences in QOL outcomes were found. However some differences were found in functional outcomes when pediatric bone cancer survivors were compared by tumor site. Survivors with more proximal tumors had better functional outcomes with limb-sparing sparing surgery than their counterparts with amputation. Conclusions: Future nursing research should focus on interventions to improve short and long term QOL in these patients, as no studies were found that addressed potential interventions. Susan J. Paul http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss2/1 http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss2/1 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:34:27 PDT Sterilization of mentally handicapped individuals occurs today despite little consensus in the medical community as to when sterilization is appropriate (Zurawin & Paransky, 2003). In addition, each state has different laws regarding sterilization of the mentally handicapped. Thus, nurses and nurse practitioners must navigate the complex social issues and legal uncertainties related to sterilization of the mentally handicapped. The purpose of this paper is to answer the following question: What is the current social climate associated with sterilization of mentally handicapped individuals? Heather Begun http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss1/5 http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss1/5 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:22:36 PST Ageism is defined as the intentional and/or subconscious discrimination against elderly people. Despite the prevalence of ageism, nurses are able to offset prejudice against the elderly and improve the quality of health care for older patients by educating patients, families, and health care providers about the effects of ageism and by advocating for the delivery of unbiased care. In order to discuss the extent to which ageism affects the quality of health care and nursing practice, this paper reviews the published literature pertaining to ageism. Elderly cancer patients are even more affected by ageist attitudes and beliefs, and as a result experience poorer health outcomes. Future research should continue to explore the effects that ageism has on the health of the elderly so that changes to nursing practice and health care policy can be made, thereby providing all patients with high-quality health care. Chelsea L. Simkins http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss1/4 http://repository.upenn.edu/josnr/vol1/iss1/4 Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:19:09 PST Objective. To examine the current evidence on the use of family therapy as a treatment for obesity in children and adolescents.Research Design and Methods. CINAHL, Medline, PubMed, PsycInfo, and the Cochrane Library were searched for studies containing keywords: family therapy and weight loss and family therapy and obesity. Articles were limited to primary research articles from 1990 to the present pertaining specifically to children and/or adolescents.Results. Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria. All articles found family therapy to be an effective means of treating obesity in children and adolescents as demonstrated through significant reductions in overweight measuring variables following treatment. However, the behavioral and educational components of family therapy varied among studies. Additionally the designs of most studies were poor and failed to control for important variables. Therefore, focusing on the specific variables of family therapy, parental weight loss, adherence, maintenance, and additions to family therapy allowed for accurate conclusions to be drawn.Conclusions. Although family therapy is shown to be a successful treatment for obesity in children and adolescents, no specific method of treatment proves to be better than the others. Future research needs to build upon current knowledge of family therapy by including control groups receiving alternate treatments or standards of care. Despite the need for more research, the success of family therapy in existing studies suggests that health care providers should utilize families in the treatment of pediatric obesity. Laura A. Crumpler