bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studies of interactions between silane coupling agents and cellulose fibers with liquid and solid‐state NMR
Authors: Salon Marie‐Christine B. , Gerbaud Guillaume , Abdelmouleh M. , Bruzzese Cécile , Boufi Sami , Belgacem Mohamed N.
Published: April 2007

The hydrolysis of three alkoxy‐silane coupling agents, γ‐methacryloxypropyl trimethoxy silane (MPS), γ‐aminopropyl triethoxy silane (APS), and γ‐diethylenetriaminopropyl trimethoxy silane (TAS), was carried out in ethanol/water solutions (80/20 w/w) at different pH values and followed by 1H, 13C and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. Acidic media were found to stabilize the hydrolyzed forms. As expected, the formation of silanol groups was followed by their self‐condensation to generate oligomeric structures, yielding, ultimately, solid homopolycondensated structures, as analyzed by 29Si and 13C high‐resolution solid‐state NMR. Hydrolyzed MPS in acidic media was then successfully adsorbed onto a cellulose surface and the ensuing substrates submitted to thermal treatment at 110–120 °C under reduced pressure, in order to create covalent bonds between cellulose and the coupling agent. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of the malate‐aluminum(III) complex using 1H and 27Al NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Tashiro Mitsuru , Furihata Kazuo , Fujimoto Takashi , Machinami Tomoya , Yoshimura Etsuro
Published: April 2007

Structural elucidation of a malate‐aluminum(III) complex has been carried out using 1H and 27Al NMR spectroscopy. The 1H chemical shift perturbation clearly indicated the interaction between malate and Al(III) ion. The measurements of 27Al NMR and 1H13C HSQC spectra demonstrated that the major form of a complex comprised two equivalent malate ions and two unequivalent Al(III) ions. With this constraint, an equilibrium geometry of the complex was proposed by a semi‐empirical molecular orbital calculation. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A transmission line modelling (TLM) method for steady‐state convection–diffusion
Authors: Kennedy Alan , O'Connor William J.
Published: April 2007

This paper describes how the lossy transmission line modelling (TLM) method for diffusion can be extended to solve the convection–diffusion equation. The method is based on the correspondence between the convection–diffusion equation and the equation for the voltage on a lossy transmission line with properties varying exponentially over space. It is unconditionally stable and converges rapidly to highly accurate steady‐state solutions for a wide range of Peclet numbers from low to high. The method solves the non‐conservative form of the convection–diffusion equation but it is shown how it can be modified to solve the conservative form. Under transient conditions the TLM scheme exhibits significant numerical diffusion and numerical convection leading to poor accuracy, but both these errors go to zero as a solution approaches steady state. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of nonnutritive sucking on transcutaneous oxygen tension in noncrying, preterrn neonates
Authors: Burroughs Arlene K. , Asonye Udochukwu O. , Anderson‐Shanklin Gene C. , Vidyasagar Dhamapuri
Published: April 2007

The relationship between transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcpO2:) and sucking opportunities in noncrying, preterm neonates was investigated. Twenty‐six measurements of nonnutritive sucking and its relationship to tcpO2 were collected on 11 neonates who were monitored continuously for tcpO2. Of the 26, 10 sets of measurements were recorded on 6 neonates receiving assisted ventilation, and 16 were recorded on 4 neonates breathing room air. One neonate was measured one time on assisted ventilation and two times breathing room air. The design consisted of three 8‐minute time periods: pretreatment, treatment (sucking opportunities). and posttreatment. There was a significant relationship between the pretreatment‐treatment and treatment‐posttreatment tcpO2 levels (both at p < .01). These results suggest that sucking facilitates more adequate oxygenation in noncrying, preterm neonates.
Altering patients' responses to surgery: An extension and replication
Authors: Johnson Jean E. , Fuller Sarah S. , Endress M. Patricia , Rice Virginia H.
Published: April 2007

This study of 58 cholecystectomy and 57 herniorrhaphy patients was designed to determine the reliability of the effects of preoperative preparation on postoperative recovery that were observed in a previous study. The preoperative preparation consisted of information that focused on the typical subjective sensory experiences of surgical patients in combination with instruction in postoperative exercises. The effects of prehospital admission preparation, restatement postoperatively of preparatory information, and adding temporal orienting information to the preparatory information on postoperative course were also examined. The main results of the original study were replicated. In the cholecystectomy sample, the preoperative information intervention significantly reduced length of postoperative hospitalization and length of time posthospital discharge before patients ventured from home. Temporal orienting information reduced feelings of helplessness postoperatively in the cholecystectomy sample. Consistent with the original study, only trends for effects were observed in the herniorrhaphy sample.
Effects of thermal applications on the abdominal temperature of rats
Authors: Martinson Ida M. , Anderson Steven E.
Published: April 2007

The results of thermal applications to the abdomens of restrained, unanesthetized rats are reported. A silicone envelope through which water at 0. 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50°C circulated was applied while skin surface, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, and colonic temperatures were measured. Pad applications at 0°C significantly lowered tissue temperature at all four locations measured. Pad applications at 10 and 20°C significantly lowered skin surface, subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal temperatures. Pad applications at 30°C significantly lowered skin surface and subcutaneous temperatures. Pad applications at 40 and 50°C significantly increased skin surface and subcutaneous temperatures, and applications at 50°C also increased intraperitoneal temperature. lntraperitoneal and colonic temperatures were insignificantly affected by pad applications of 30 and 40°C, and colonic temperatures were not significantly altered by any thermal application other than that at 0°C. The findings indicate that application of mild heat or cold (30–40°C) to the abdominal skin of the rat does not alter deep abdominal temperatures, indicating no deep vasomotor response to these thermal applications. The question can be raised whether these results suggest that a similar response may occur in humans.
The notion of a practice theory and the relationship of scientific and ethical knowledge to practice
Authors: Beckstrand Jan
Published: April 2007

By examining the relationship of scientific and ethical knowledge to practice, it can be shown that much of the knowledge required for practice is the knowledge of science and ethics. This brings the notion of the need for a practice theory in nursing into serious question since unique knowledge beyond that of science and ethics must be shown to be required in practice.
Fatigue in the patient with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Hart Laura K.
Published: April 2007

Three hundred thirty‐five multiple sclerosis patients and 30 healthy persons completed a questionnaire retrospectively about their fatigue experiences throughout a usual day. Using a Type I design (Lindquist, 1956) to analyze differences in daily fatigue feelings, five subject groups (four patient groups with different levels of mobility and one healthy control group) were compared. A significant difference in the degree of fatigue feelings felt by the groups was found. The patients with multiple sclerosis, regardless of mobility level, experienced more severe feelings of fatigue throughout the day than did the healthy subjects. Also, the less mobile groups experienced more severe levels of fatigue. No significant difference was noted in the patterns of the five groups' fatigue progression. No significant differences in types of fatigue symptoms were found between the subject groups. The following characteristics were more apparent in the patient groups than in the healthy subjects when fatigued: () disease symptoms appeared to be accentuated and () there were greater indications of emotional stress.
The need for a practice theory as indicated by the knowledge used in the conduct of practice
Authors: Beckstrand Jan
Published: April 2007

By examining the knowledge used in the conduct of practice, the knowledge required for practice can be shown to be completely reducible to science, ethics, and logic. Consequently, all notions of a practice theory in nursing are likely to represent some combination of these kinds of knowledge. As a result, no need for a practice theory exists.
Postpartum Perceptions of Touch Received During Labor
Authors: Penny Karen S.
Published: April 2007

An exploratory study using interviews of 150 postpartum women was done to determine their perceptions of the touch they received during labor. Data were analyzed for the subjects' overall perceptions of being touched during labor and for their positive and negative touch experiences. Significant differences in age, race, and marital status were found between subjects who perceived touch as negative and those who perceived touch as positive. Significant differences were also found between descriptions of positive and negative touch experiences with regard to who touched the subject, what part of the body was touched, and the effect of touch on the subject in coping with labor. Implications for nursing care are discussed.
The Use of Verbal and Tactile Comfort to Alleviate Distress in Young Hospitalized Children
Authors: Triplett June L. , Arneson Sara W.
Published: April 2007

This exploratory study was designed to observe distressed children's responses to verbal and tactile comfort measures. A convenience sample of 63 children between 3 days and 44 months old was drawn from a pediatric unit of a large midwestern hospital. On a random basis, one group of children received verbal, comfort measures for 5 minutes or until they quieted, whichever came first. At the end of 5 minutes, tactile comfort was added if the children were still distressed. The other group received simultaneous tactile‐verbal comfort from the beginning. One hundred interventions were carried out on the 63 children. Forty interventions were initially verbal and 60 were tactile‐verbal. Among the verbal group, 7 of the interventions were successful in quieting the children as compared to 53 successes of 60 interventions in the tactile‐verbal group. This was a highly significant difference. Verbal interventions were more successful for children over 1 year old and tactile comfort was least effective with children in the 13 to 18 month age group. No differences were noted in terms of sex, presence of equipment including restraints, diagnosis, and recency of last feeding.
Development of an Instrument to Measure Exercise of Self‐care Agency
Authors: Kearney Barbara Y. , Fleischer Barbara J.
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument to measure a person's exercise of self‐care agency. Reliability and validity were established. Content validity was established through a rating of each item of the questionnaire by five nursing experts practicing under the self‐care concept. The Adjective Check List and Rotter's Internal‐External Locus of Control of Reinforcement Scale were used in establishing construct validity. Subjects consisted of 84 associate degree nursing students and 153 psychology students. Results showed (a) a positive correlation of self‐confidence, achievement, and intraception with exercise of self‐care agency and (b) a negative correlation between abasement and exercise of self‐care agency. The test‐retest reliability was .77 for the nursing students; split‐half reliabilities were .80 and .81, respectively, for the first and second testings of the nursing students, and .77 for the psychology students.
Nurses' and Physicians' Performance on Clinical Simulation Test: Hypertension
Authors: McLaughlin Frank E. , Cesa Thomas , Johnson Harold , Lemons Mary , Anderson Sara , Larson Patricia , Gibson Josephine
Published: April 2007

The purposes of this study were to determine whether nurse practitioners with a master's degree (NPM), nurse practitioners with a certificate (NPC), and public health nurses (PHN) perform as proficiently as family practice physicians (FPP) in assessing and managing essential hypertension and whether the four groups use a psychosocial or pathophysiological model in providing care. Subjects included 30 FPPs, 30 NPMs, 33 NPCs, and 40 PHNs. A clinical simulation test required subjects to collect data, identify problems, interpret tests, and formulate care plans. Criterion test performance was established by eight expert nurses and physicians. Physicians and nurse practitioners were equally proficient, and public health nurses were significantly less proficient on only 3 of 11 test sections. Sharpest contrasts were in test interpretation, with FPPs clearly more expert. FPPs practice style was less psychosocial but not more pathophysiological than that of the nurse practitioners. The study suggests that, except for nurses greater use of a psychosocial model, expanded role nurses and physicians perform similarly in assessing and managing hypertension and that, with slightly more training, PHNs could perform comparably.
Social support and adaptation to chronic illness: The case of maintenance hemodialysis
Authors: Dimond Margaret
Published: April 2007

The findings reported in the literature on the relationship between social support and adaptation to illness are ambiguous and, in some cases, contradictory. The present study sought to examine the relationship among support factors, medical status, and adaptation to chronic illness in 36 hemodialysis patients. Social support was measured on three dimensions: family environment (family cohesion and family expressiveness), level of spouse support, and presence of a confidant. Adaptation was assessed in terms of morale and changes in social functioning since the onset of dialysis. Data collection was done through unstructured interviews, mailed questionnaires, observation, and review of medical records. Correlation coefficients showed a positive association between the measures of social support and morale and a negative correlation among family cohesion, presence of a confidant, and changes in social functioning.
Nursing judgment in selection of patient classification variables
Authors: Trivedi Vandankumar M.
Published: April 2007

This article presents research performed to identify those patient classification variables that are most relevant for differentiating various patient categories. The nursing care time needed by patients in different categories was measured by judgment of head nurses. The data for this research were collected over a period of 2 weeks during day and afternoon shifts on a busy surgical ward in a 300‐bed suburban acute‐care general hospital. The data included an extensive list of auditable patient status items, as well as head nurse judgments. Statistical analysis of the data indicated that only a fe patient classification variables are necessary to be included in classification instruments. The study also revealed that different sets of classification variables are essential for different nursing shifts on the same unit.
Anxiety levels and concerns among pregnant women
Authors: Glazer Greer
Published: April 2007

Since maternal anxiety has been implicated as one variable in the etiology of maternal and fetal complications, this study was done to identify specific concerns and anxiety levels among pregnant women. One hundred pregnant women, 48 private and 52 clinic patients, completed the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale, a concerns questionnaire, and an information sheet. Twenty‐nine specific concerns were identified by 50% or more of the pregnant women. Major concerns identified were “if your baby will be healthy and normal” (94%) and “your baby's condition at birth” (93%). The number of expressed concerns showed a statistically significant correlation with anxiety level (rs = .5678; p = .001), with clinic patients having significantly higher anxiety levels than private patients.
Identifying talented health administration students: A look at academic criteria
Authors: Quatrano Louis A.
Published: April 2007

The objective of this study was to examine the relationships of undergraduate academic and admission test performance with graduate academic performance. Results could aid in selecting health services administration students in the future. The sample included 139 students (40 women and 99 men) entering seven health services administration programs during the fall of 1975 and graduating during the spring and summer of 1977. Participating programs were located in the Midwest, Northeast, South, and West Coast. Independent variables included undergraduate academic performance and admission test scores, while the dependent variable was graduate academic performance and admission test scores, while the dependent variable was graduate academic performance. Correlation analyses revealed that: (a) the verbal and quantitative subtest scores of the GRE were related to most aspects of graduate academic performance for men but only to selected aspects for women, (b) performance on the MAT was related to women's graduate academic performance in quantitative courses, and (c) men's and women's composite undergraduate grade point average was not related to composite graduate grade point average. These findings suggest that some of the standardized tests presently employed as admission screening devices should be used judiciously.
Women's roles and illness episodes: A prospective study
Authors: Woods Nancy Fugate
Published: April 2007

As more women enter the labor force, their roles proliferate. The purpose of this study was to determine whether proliferation of roles would have a deleterious effect on women's health. A group of 96 women completed a family health diary for 3 weeks which included an estimate of stress level typical of the family on each day, the measures taken by the family to maintain health, an estimate of how each family member felt, whether or not behavior restriction was necessary, and any symptoms or complaints. An illness episode was considered to be any continued sequence of days during which health complaints were recorded in the health diary. The mean number of illness episodes for the 3‐week diary‐keeping period was 3.23 (SD = 1.50). Role proliferation did not correlate with the number of illness episodes (Spearman's rho = ‐.115, p <.132). The variables that best explained the variance in the number of illness episodes were number of children and role reinforcement, both of which had modest negative effects on number of illness episodes; together they explained 11.3% of the variance. It was concluded that the number of episodes of illness women experience is a function of the compatibility of a woman's other roles with being ill and with the support available to her for performing her roles.
Perceived choice, social interaction, and dimensions of morale of residents in a home for the aged
Authors: Pohl Joanne M. , Fuller Sarah S.
Published: April 2007

In a study of 50 residents in a home for the aged, the relationships of health at relocation, choice in relocation, income, perceived choice within an institutional environment, and social interaction to four indices of morale were examined in hierarchical multiple regression designs. The theoretical concept of decisional control (i.e., perceived choice) guided the investigation. Significant multivariate effects were found for all dimensions of morale: agitation, attitude toward own aging, lonely dissatisfaction, and a combined morale index. Choice within the institution and social interaction were the major contributors to these significant multivariate relationships, but income was also influential in analysis of the attitudinal and combined morale indices for a subsample. Retrospective measures of health at relocation and choice in relocation were unstable in their contributions to overall mutivariate relationships. Relationships of age, recency of loss of a significant other, and length of residency to morale were explored and found not to be significant. Results are discussed against the background of theoretical expectations, and avenues for future research are identified.
Father to infant attachment: Effects of early contact and characteristics of the infant
Authors: Jones Colette
Published: April 2007

Fifty‐one father‐infant dyads were studied at 24–72 hours of age and at 1 month to determine the effects of early contact, sex, and irritability of the infant on fathers' perceptions and behaviors. Irritability was measured by a factor of four items from the Brazelton Neonatal Assessment Scale administered at 24–72 hours. Fathers who held their infants in the first hour of life demonstrated more nonverbal behavior toward their infants during an observation at 1 month than those who did not have this early contact. Fathers interacted more verbally with girls than with boys at 1 month. A sex and irritability interaction effect was found in fathers' perceptions of high‐irritability boys and low‐irritability girls. Fathers also reported more frequent care‐taking of high‐irritability infants of both sexes than of low‐irribitablity infants.
Influencing adherence among hypertensives
Authors: Swain Mary Ann , Steckel Susan B.
Published: April 2007

In the treatment of hypertension, problems of nonadherence and consequent poor blood pressure control are particularly severe. Alternative intervention strategies were compared to explore means of improving adherence and lowering blood pressures. In a 3 × 4 repeated measures analysis of variance design, 115 patients were randomly selected and randomly assigned to one of three treatment modalities (routine clinic care, patient education, and contingency contracting) and were followed over four clinic visits. Subjects' knowledge about hypertension and its management, adherence to requests for regular medical follow‐up, and blood pressure levels were measured. Patient education was not effective in lowering blood pressures; it produced an untoward outcome, a dropout rate higher than that for patients receiving only routine clinic care. However, contingency contracting was an effective intervention strategy for improving patient knowledge, F (1,59) = 51.32, p<.0001; adherence to requests for regular medical care, Max L (2) = 25.9, p<.0001; and decreasing diastolic blood pressures, F (2,49) = 3.39, p<.05.
Job satisfaction of staff registered nurses in primary and team nursing delivery systems
Authors: Carlsen Ruth H. , Malley James D.
Published: April 2007

Job satisfaction for nurses in team and primary nursing delivery systems as measured by a human needs questionnaire was studied. Staff‐level registered nurses from 27 units in a large research hospital completed a 22‐item questionnaire. Each item measured present and desired job satisfaction and the importance of the item to the respondent. Data from 115 primary‐system nurses and 65 team‐system nurses were analyzed by Kruskal‐Wallis tests of significance and chi‐square contingency tables. Overall, primary‐system nurses reported greater job satisfaction than team‐system nurses. The primary system offered more opportunity for accountability and fulfilling higher level needs. Neither system provided sufficient opportunities for self‐fulfillment, decision‐making, or independent judgment. The identified weakness of the primary system was the unmet need for supervision. Of all the nurses in this study, 75% were dissatisfied with the prestige accorded to them.
A Strategy for Surveying Nursing Practice in Institutional Settings
Authors: Kirchhoff Karin T. , Kviz Frederick J.
Published: April 2007

Two major obstacles encountered when surverying nursing practice in institutional settings are obtaining a representative sample and collecting an adequate number of observations at a reasonable cost. Past efforts to deal with these problems are reviewed briefly, and results are reported from a two‐stage mail survey of a national sample of critical‐care nurses. The first stage involved attempts to procure a list of staff nurses from head nurses of critical‐care units at 240 randomly selected institutions. An 86% response rate was obtained. The second stage involved mailing questionnaires were obtained from 87%. Little evidence of bias due to administrative selection and/or volunteerism was found in the lists of staff nurses. An analysis of membership in professional nursing organizations indicates that more than one half of the nurses who responded to this survey would not have been included had the sample been selected from organizational membership lists.
Distress Reduction and the Effects of Preparatory Teaching Films and Patient Control
Authors: Padilla Geraldine V. , Grant Marcia M. , Rains Bertha L. , Hansen Barbara C. , Bergstrom Nancy , Wong Hilda L. , Hanson Robert , Kubo Winifred
Published: April 2007

Fifty patients undergoing nasogastric intubation for gastric analysis participated in an experiment comparing the distress‐reducing effects of four different types of information about an unpleasant procedure. Filmstrips depicted the procedure only; the procedure with common distressful sensations; the procedure with coping behavior; and the procedure with coping behaviors to relieve common distressful sensations. Patients were also tested on their preference for control. Distress was measured by self‐ratings on a 10‐item Nasogastric Intubation Checklist. Pain, discomfort, and anxiety pre‐, during, and postmanipulation‐intubation were measured on a visual scale. Willingness to repeat the procedure was measured on a four‐point scale. The study showed that: (a) Procedure with sensory and coping behavior information was effective in decreasing discomfort, pain, and anxiety for control and no‐control preference subjects during and after the procedure, but was most effective in reducing intubation distress for subjects preferring no control. (b) Sensory information led to greater willingness to repeat the procedure. (c) Perceived control had little effect on distress reduction.
Construct validity of an empathy instrument
Authors: Monica Elaine L. La
Published: April 2007

The purpose of the study was to determine the construct validity of the Empathy Construct Rating Scale (ECRS), developed as part of a larger investigation. Two procedures were used: (a) Campbell and Fiske's (1959) multitrait–multimethod approach and (b) factor analysis. The results suggest that the ECRS is a valid and a reliable instrument for measuring empathy. It was shown to have high internal consistency, content validity, and discriminant validity. Results of the factor analysis placed the rating scale in the primary factor, sharing that factor with no other measured trait. The results further suggest that empathy cannot be divided meaningfully into subscales; empathy exists as a whole and all elements must be present in the relationship for it to exist.
The relationship between life change events, social supports, and dysmenorrhea
Authors: Jordan Jean , Meckler Janet R.
Published: April 2007

A survey of 156 female undergraduate nursing students was conducted to determine the relationship between life change events and dysmenorrhea and the mediating effect of social supports on this relationship. Data were collected using the Anderson College Schedule of Recent Experience (subjects estimated personal readjustment to life changes), the Moos Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, and a social support index constructed by the authors. Correlations were obtained separately for high and low social support groups; these ranged from .19 to .62 and were significant (p<.05) for both groups. Presence or absence of a confidant was the most discriminating social support dimension (r = .32 for those with a confidant and .62 for those without). For subjects using oral contraceptives there was no relationship between life change and dysmenorrhea, while users of other contraceptives showed a significant positive relationship (p<.05). Life change and social supports together accounted for only 16% of the variance in menstrual distress scores. Methodological difficulties in using the life change and social support tools were identified.
The nurse as a sex object in motion pictures, 1930 to 1980
Authors: Kalisch Beatrice J. , Kalisch Philip A. , McHugh Mary L.
Published: April 2007

A content analysis of 191 motion pictures featuring 211 nurses as significant characters was conducted to determine the nature and extent of the motion picture industry's depiction of the nurse as a sex object and to identify changes in that portrayal from 1930 to 1980. Seventy‐three percent of the nurse roles characterized nurses as sex objects. The frequency and intensity of stereotypes of nurses as sex objects rose significantly during the 1960s and 1970s (p < .0001). Exploitation of the nurse as a sex object was more common in the larger nurse roles. However, in films with a strong emphasis on professional nursing in either the story or in character development, sexual stereotyping of nurses was uncommon. It was concluded that the image of the nurse as a professional care giver was incompatible with that of the nurse as sex object, and that the motion picture industry has opted primarily to present the latter image. The extremely negative sexual stereotype of nursing promulgated during the past 20 years is cause for concern. Actions that the nursing profession can employ to counter the unfavorable portrayal of nurses in 1980s motion pictures are suggested.
Stressful life events and illness onset: A review of crucial variables
Authors: Hyman Ruth Bernstein , Woog Pierre
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this paper is to stimulate more systematic research into the link between stress and illness, by proposing a model summarizing the variables previously related to illness onset and suggesting an improved methodology for measurement of life events. Despite the long‐recognized role of factors other than the presence of a disease agent in the etiology of illness, only a weak, though statistically significant, link between stressful life events and illness onset has been supported thus far. The somewhat disappointing results of previous stress research may be due to problems in measurement of both life stress and illness and/or inadequate conceptualization of a model incorporating the multitude of variables significant to illness onset.
Factors influencing knowledge, attitudes, and compliance of hypertensive patients
Authors: Powers Marjorie J. , Wooldridge Powhatan J.
Published: April 2007

Using a factorial design, four aspects of an educational program for 160 hypertensive patients were manipulated: number of meetings, patient responsibility and participation, directiveness of the intervention, and emphasis on negative consequences of uncontrolled hypertension. Validity checks on the manipulations included content analysis of the nurse‐patient interaction and interview‐based measures of the patient's responsibility, participation, and awareness of dangers. Outcome variables included repeated measures of patient knowledge, assessment by the nurse of patient attainment of identified goals, and reduction of the patient's mean arterial blood pressure. High indirect interventions tended to lead to higher goal attainment, particularly in the psychosocial area. Emphasis on negative consequences tended to promote learning for patients with long standing diagnoses, but to retard learning for recently diagnosed patients. Additional meetings and emphasis on patient responsibility were not helpful alone, but in combination they tended to lead to greater learning. Although as a whole, patients in the program tended to reduce their blood pressures, there were no statistically significant main effects or interaction effects of the educational approach variables on blood pressure reduction.
Development of the self‐concept of nurse in nursing students
Authors: George Tamara Bloom
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this descriptive, cross‐sectional study was to determine if components of nursing students' self‐concepts change as they progress through their educational program. The subjects were 132 generic nursing students enrolled in the baccalaureate nursing program at a small midwestern college; they were stratified by grade level (sophomore, junior, and senior). Chi‐square analysis of responses to the Twenty Statements Test indicate no significant difference in self‐concept by levels as measured by the number of consensual and subconsensual responses, and no significant difference by levels in the number of primary nursing references. The preponderance of subconsensual over consensual responses at all three grade levels was an unexpected finding that has implications for nursing education.
Validation of two experimental nursing approaches using content analysis
Authors: Powers Marjorie J. , Murphy Suzanne P. , Wooldridge Powhatan J.
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this study was to analyze and compare the recorded content of two experimental nursing interventions used in a hypertensive‐education program. One intervention was characterized as deliberative or high indirect, the other as task‐centered or low indirect. A total of 4, 149 nurse‐patient interaction units was derived from 62 typed interview transcripts, equally representative of both approaches. Two trained coders categorized the interactions, based upon recurring themes of the teaching content; 24 distinct topical categories were identified. Intercoder agreement above chance for all 4, 149 interaction units was k = .68, with confidence limits of 99% .03, p < .0001. A space‐time unit for quantifying the relative amounts of time spent on the various categories also was developed, and analyses were conducted for space‐time units as well as interaction units. The main findings showed no definable differences in the frequency of categories or the amounts of time spent in their discussion in the two approaches. These results were contrasted to results obtained when the validity of the nursing approaches was tested previously, and differences between the two interventions in attaining social and health goals were interpreted in light of the findings of the content analysis.
An analysis of the impact of authorship on the image of the nurse presented in novels
Authors: Kalisch Beatrice J. , Kalisch Philip A.
Published: April 2007

Content analysis of 201 novels published from 1843 to 1980 with important nurse characters was used to identify variables associated with nurse, physician, and non‐health care provider authorship and the quality of the resultant image of nurses and nursing. Nurse authors were more likely to depict nurses as contributing to patients and other persons, being commended, using autonomous judgment, taking greater satisfaction in their career, exhibiting drive, and being engaged in the performance of nursing care activities. They also portrayed novel nurses as more nurturant, empathic, powerful, and intelligent, and as valuing service to others and scholarliness to a greater extent than other authors. Of all authors, physicians presented the most negative nurse images; they were the least likely to endow nurse characters with positive personality and behavior traits. On the other hand, physicians were the most likely to show nurses valuing and being engaged in sexual activities. The fact that nurse authors, who were more prominent during the first 60 years of this century, have given way to a dominance of physician authors during the past 20 years demands intervention by the nursing profession in encouraging nurses to become more active in this form of artistic popularization of scientific ideas and professional health care roles.
Stresses and coping strategies of neonatal intensive care unit nurses
Authors: Jacobson Sharol F.
Published: April 2007

The purposes of this study were to investigate the nature of the psychological stresses experienced by neonatal intensive care unit nurses and to describe the coping strategies they reported using to alleviate them. Sixty nurses from eight hospitals participated. Ten categories of stressful experiences were identified. A coping scale using short‐story problem situations as stimuli was constructed. Factor analysis of the mean ratings of 13 coping strategies produced three factors: Cognitive Processing, Using Personal Skills, and Escape. Analysis of variance using these ratings and stress levels of the stories showed a significant main effect for stress level and a significant interaction between coping factors and stress levels. No significant differences in coping strategies were found by hospital or by the nurse variables of tenure (length of time) in the unit, education, or experience.
Correlates of caregiving satisfaction: Prerequisites to elder home care
Authors: Worcester Martha Iles , Quayhagen Mary P.
Published: April 2007

In this comparative study, a path analytic model was used to identify variables predictive of satisfaction in providing care to elderly family members, and to determine differences in the predictor variables between past and present caregivers as potential precipitators of institutionalization. Nineteen current caregivers and 29 past caregivers were recruited from health agencies in a rural area. Demographic predictors of caregiving satisfaction included age and sex of the client and age of the caregiver; psychological problems of the client influenced caregiver satisfaction. Measures of situational stress (medical, psychological, environmental) revealed that the past caregivers had higher psychological and environmental stress and less life satisfaction than current caregivers. Additional analysis revealed that the most common pattern of nursing home admission was hospitalization of the client for physical illness, with subsequent physician‐recommended nursing home placement. Areas of identified need for preventing premature relinquishing of the caregiving role are discussed.
Effects of thermal applications on the abdominal temperature of dogs
Authors: Martinson Ida M. , Anderson Steven E.
Published: April 2007

The results of thermal applications to the abdomens of unrestrained, unanesthetized dogs are reported. A silicone rubber envelope through which water circulated at 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40°, or 50°C was applied. Skin surface, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intestinal, and colonic temperatures were measured after 90 minutes. Pad applications at 0°, 10°, 20°, and 30°C significantly lowered skin surface and subcutaneous temperatures, while pad applications at 40° and 50°C significantly increased subcutaneous and skin surface temperatures. None of the pad applications had a significant effect on intraperitoneal, intestinal, or colonic temperatures. The findings indicate that a wide range of thermal applications to the abdominal skin of the dog do not alter deep abdominal temperatures.
Factors Related to the Early Phase of Rehabilitation Following Aortocoronary Bypass Surgery
Authors: O'Connor Annette M.
Published: April 2007

Physical and psychosocial functioning of 30 male patients prior to and 3 months following aortocoronary bypass surgery were compared. Relationships between rehabilitation outcome and selected physical, psychosocial, and health care system variables were examined. Although patients' perceptions of their health improved after surgery, there was little improvement in physical and psychosocial functioning, and vocational functioning declined. When the outcome variables were regressed on their possible explanatory variables, the variance in exercise tolerance and energy expenditure on household activities remained unexplained. Energy expenditure on postoperative leisure activities was related to fear of injury. Preoperative psychosocial functioning, depression, and postoperative perception of health explained postoperative psychosocial functioning. Postoperative perception of health depended on the number of bypass grafts and spouse's/family's fear of patients' injury.
Quality of Life Index for Patients with Cancer
Authors: Padilla Geraldine V. , Presant Cary , Grant Marcia M. , Metter Gerald , Lipsett James , Heide Frances
Published: April 2007

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument for measuring the quality of life of cancer patients. Quality of life was measured with 14 linear analogue scale items concerning general physical condition, normal activities, and personal attitudes on general quality of life. The tool was tested with four subject groups: oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy (43) or radiation therapy (39), oncology inpatients receiving chemotherapy (48), and nonpatient volunteers (48). Test‐retest reliability coefficients for these samples ranged from r = .11 to .97, with 52 of the 56 possible r's > .60, p < .01; internal consistency was .88, p < .01. Construct and discriminant validity were indicated, white concurrent validity between quality of life scores and physician estimates of Karnofsky ratings, prognosis, and quality of life were poor.
Development of Scales to Measure Beliefs of Diabetic Patients
Authors: Given Charles W. , Given Barbara A. , Gallin Rita S. , Condon John W.
Published: April 2007

In this article health belief concepts are identified and previous attempts to construct scales for measuring these concepts are critiqued. Using an initial sample of 156 diabetic patients, factor analytic techniques were used to develop measures of the basic concepts of the Health Belief Model. The derived scales from this sample were cross‐validated on a second sample of 92 diabetic patients. The scales were tested for unidimensionality, internal and external consistency, and stability across both samples. The application of these scales to nursing research and practice are discussed.
How Lamaze‐Prepared Expectant Parents Select Obstetricians
Authors: Brien Monica , Haverfield Nancy , Shanteau James
Published: April 2007

One form of consumer involvement in the health‐care process pertains to the selection of a physician. Expectant parents enrolled in prepared childbirth classes were asked to evaluate, individually, the importance of issues associated with selecting an obstetrician, both before and after childbirth. The data indicated that the ability of the obstetrician to communicate effectively with patients was the most important factor; of little importance were factors related to the obstetrician's personal characteristics (e.g., age, sex) and professional training. Although the husband/wife rankings showed a high degree of similarity, some differences were observed: husbands had a greater concern for the wife's treatment by medical personnel, while wives had a greater concern for the husband's involvement in the childbirth process. The obstetrician's office nursing staff was more important than such factors as recommendations, fees, and medical experience. Given the young and involved nature of the sample, these results may represent a future trend in health‐care consumers.
Clinical Evaluation of Student Performance: The Effects of Criteria on Accuracy and Reliability
Authors: Bondy Kathleen N.
Published: April 2007

Faculty from four baccalaureate nursing programs participated in testing the accuracy and reliability of faculty evaluation of student performance as seen on a videotape. Three videotapes each portrayed a nursing student performing an ordinary nursing activity at five different levels of competency. The study design included three fixed factors (use of criteria, faculty experience, and type of student activity) and a trial factor with repeated measures (the five levels of performance). The experimental group (n = 27) used a 5‐point scale with criteria for rating the level of performance while the control group (n = 33) used the same scale without criteria. A computed score and an estimated score were collected from each subject for each level of performance. The experimental group that used the scale with criteria gave more accurate computed and estimated evaluation scores than the control group. Faculty experience was not a significant factor in accuracy, but type of student activity was significant with the highest scores given to affective behaviors and the lowest scores given to psychomotor behaviors. There were no significant interactions between the three fixed factors.
A Framework for Research on Aversive Physical Aspects of the Environment
Authors: Topf Margaret
Published: April 2007

A theoretical framework for organizing research on the health effects from aversive physical aspects of the environment is specified. The nurse's role in preparing individuals to control aversive environmental stimuli and the effects of this on reactivity and health are detailed. The framework is substantiated by using the impact of hospital noise upon recovery as an example. Supportive theoretical and research literature are presented for the relationships hypothesized in the framework.
Measuring Informational Intervention for Chemotherapy Knowledge and Self‐Care Behavior
Authors: Dodd Marylin J.
Published: April 2007

Little is known about how cancer patients manage the side effects of chemotherapy, so 48 cancer patients in chemotherapy were randomized into four groups to determine their self‐care behaviors. The first group received drug information only; the second group received information on side‐effect management techniques (SEMT); the third group received combined drug and SEMT information; the fourth group were controls. Pre‐ and postintervention scores on chemotherapy knowledge, self‐care behavior, and general affective state were evaluated by analysis of covariance. Patients who received drug information alone or in combination with other information had higher chemotherapy knowledge scores. Patients who received SEMT information alone or in combination with other information performed more self‐care behaviors. Although an additive effect of combined information was noted, i.e., patients who received both types of information showed improved chemotherapy knowledge and self‐care behaviors, the combined information did not produce a significantly improved affective state.
Health Problems Encountered by Nurse Practitioners and Physicians in General Medicine Clinics
Authors: Chen Shu‐Pi C. , Barkauskas Violet H. , Chen Edwin H.
Published: April 2007

Distribution of health problems encountered by nurse practitioners and physicians in general/adult medicine clinics was studied. Proportional samples by clinics were selected from a total of 13,039 patient visits made to four clinics during an 18‐week period in 1978. A Patient Encounter Form was used as the instrument and the ICD‐9‐CM as the coding system. Results showed that (a) 25.1% of the 13,039 patient visits were made to the nurse practitioners and 74.9% to the physicians, (b) 23 frequently reported health problems constituted more than 50% of all health problems seen by both provider groups, and (c) health problems with V codes constituted less than 30% of all health problems seen by both provider groups. Many similarities in health problems seen by nurse practitioners and physicians may indicate that nurse practitioners in the general/adult medicine specialty are used more to substitute for physicians in managing selected health problems than to complement medical practice.
Paraplegic Body‐Support Pressure on Convoluted Foam, Waterbed, and Standard Mattresses
Authors: Wells Patricia , Geden Elizabeth
Published: April 2007

Comparisons were made between body‐support pressures obtained when 15 male paraplegics laid on waterbed, foam, and standard mattresses. The variables examined were mattress, bone prominence, and time. The major findings were that the waterbed, in comparisons with the other mattresses, yielded significantly lower occipital, scapular, and sacral pressures at 5, 20, and 35 minutes.