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N S Creason

Publications and source records attributed to N S Creason.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1991

Nurses' perception of the phenomenon confusion in elderly hospitalized patients.

The purpose of this descriptive study was to identify nurses' perception of signs, symptoms, assessment and reversibility of confusion in elderly hospitalized patients. The convenience sample consisted of 10 registered nurses working in an acute care setting. Data were collected using an open-ended interview guide and analyzed via qualitative analysis. The results showed that all of the subjects found behaviours indicative of disorientation, memory impairment, altered awareness of own situation and safety needs, aggressive behaviour, and altered ability to interact were components of confusion. Altered awareness of own situation, disorientation and altered ability to interact were found to be critical indicators of confusion. No consistent means to assess the presence and level of confusion was identified. The assessment of causes of confusion was primarily physical in nature with some psycho-social factors included. Confusion was considered reversible if it had an acute onset and a physiological cause. Replication of the study is recommended using a larger sample of nurses in a variety of settings, to more clearly define and delineate categories of mental functioning and develop assessment tools.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Sleep in old age: focus on gender differences.

A meta-analysis was conducted on 27 studies addressing gender differences on 31 indices of sleeping behavior of persons 58 years of age and older. All pertinent, original research articles published in the United States in the last decade were included. New findings were compared with summaries from earlier studies to complete a picture of current knowledge. Effect sizes were calculated for 23 variables related to sleep continuity, architecture, and pathology; and effect sizes were averaged across studies. Gender difference effect sizes were small to moderate, with men tending to show more objective changes from the patterns of healthy youthful sleep. Results underscore the importance of health providers having an understanding of gender and age in relation to sleep. Findings suggest the need to protect the lighter, more fragile sleep of the elderly; to encourage regularity in sleep patterns; and to use sleep-inducing medications with caution.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Prompted voiding therapy for urinary incontinence in aged female nursing home residents.

A study of 85 incontinent female nursing home residents explored the effects of two nursing interventions (prompted voiding and socialization) on incontinence. Findings indicate that a controlled prompted voiding programme is useful in decreasing incontinent episodes. Positive effects of prompted voiding were noted over a 5-week experimental period. It is suggested that nursing homes incorporate prompted voiding into their care. Nursing homes adopting this protocol should be encouraged to keep data that will contribute further to knowledge in this area. Recommendations for additional research are made.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Medications of elderly institutionalized incontinent females.

The purpose of the study was to explore drug use of elderly incontinent female nursing home residents, to identify potential drug--drug interactions, and to identify the number and categories of drugs taken having the potential to cause urinary incontinence. The medication administration records of 84 female residents were examined. The drugs were categorized by therapeutic classification as designated by the American Hospital Formulary Service. Potential drug--drug interactions were identified using The Hansten Drug Interaction Knowledge Base Program, a microcomputer version of Hansten's (1985) book Drug Interactions. Data were computer-coded and analysed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). A total of 454 drugs was taken by the 84 subjects, with an overall average of 5.40 drugs per person. The most frequently taken drugs were gastrointestinal drugs, central nervous system agents, electrolytic, caloric, and water balance drugs, and cardiovascular drugs. Fifty per cent (n = 42) of the subjects were identified as having 119 potential drug-drug interactions. Seventy per cent (n = 59) of the subjects were taking a drug having the potential to cause urinary incontinence. Suggestions for future research are presented.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Bacteriuria and urinary incontinence in aged female nursing home residents.

Although urinary incontinence (UI) is identified as a symptom of urinary tract infection (UTI), the incontinent elderly frequently are not treated for UTI unless clinically significant manifestations are present. The purpose of this research was to identify variables that may be associated with bacteriuria in the female person who is already known to be incontinent. A sample of 65 incontinent female nursing home residents was divided into three groups: (1) those with negative urine screens; (2) those with a bacterial count of over 100,000 per ml of urine; and (3) those with a bacterial count of below 100,000 per ml urine. Variables examined were: (1) physical symptoms; (2) physical examination findings; (3) mental status; and (4) functional abilities. Significant group differences were found regarding awareness of the urge to void and ability to hold urine. A near significance finding suggested that the higher the level of cognitive function the less likely the presence of UTI. There was some evidence to suggest the higher the level of independence the less likely the presence of UTI. Recommendations for nursing practice and future nursing research are made.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1986

Nurse administered oral hygiene: is there a scientific basis?

The concept of nurse administered oral hygiene is developed in a summary of selected nursing, medical and dental literature. The purpose of the review is to identify implications for nursing practice and research. The significance of oral hygiene to nursing is presented from physiologic, pathophysiologic, psychosocial, epidemiologic and economic perspectives. Tools, chemicals and frequency for nurse administered oral hygiene are discussed in relation to dental theory and relevant nursing research is critically reviewed. The therapeutic value of common commercial products, such as the foamstick and the lemon and glycerol swab, is not established in the literature. Methodological issues, implications for practice and suggestions for future research are presented.

Citrus↗
PubMed1985

Validating the nursing diagnosis of impaired physical mobility.

The lack of research-based literature and of research models for validating nursing diagnoses results in some ambiguity in research efforts. Research must, however, move forward if there is to be progress in differentiating nursing and medical diagnostic models and use of nursing diagnoses to improve communication among nurses. Operational definitions of nursing diagnosis terminology are essential to continue work in validating nursing diagnoses, particularly in the clinical setting. The diagnosis impaired physical mobility was found to be an appropriate diagnosis for rehabilitation patients. Continued study and refinement of etiologies and defining characteristics is needed.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Self-care practices of women with urinary incontinence--a preliminary study.

The purpose of this preliminary study was twofold: (a) to explore self-care practices of 10 noninstitutionalized women who experience urinary incontinence (UI) and (b) to evaluate two instruments, the Urinary Incontinence Interview Guide and the Self-Care Responses Questionnaire. Data analysis was accomplished by data reduction and tabulation and comparison of responses from both instruments. Data are presented in a descriptive format. The most frequently reported self-care practices included regular toileting, alteration of fluid intake, exercises, weight reduction, seeking medical treatment, and protection to contain the problem. Half of the women reported embarrassment and all reported some negative feelings about UI. Recommendations are made in relation to both instruments for future use with UI research.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of admission nursing diagnoses.

Despite the interest and research in nursing diagnosis, few studies have examined the incidence and quality of the diagnoses. Specifically, a lack of knowledge exists regarding what nursing diagnoses are formulated on a patient's admission to the hospital. Data from the charts of 33 adult orthopedic patients were evaluated for the type, frequency, and quality of admission nursing diagnoses. Of the 106 nursing diagnoses written, approximately two-thirds were on the accepted list of the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA) at the time of the study (1988). Alteration in comfort was the most prevalent diagnostic label. The quality of the diagnoses was evaluated using Ziegler's (1984) tool. Only one diagnosis, potential alteration in skin integrity related to bedrest, met all 12 criteria. Nurses showed more difficulty in correctly identifying the etiology component than the response component of the diagnostic statement. Factors that affect the quality of nursing diagnoses and the need for tool refinement are discussed, and research recommendations are made.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mental status and functional abilities: change in institutionalized elderly women.

A study of 40 institutionalized elderly women was undertaken to determine if changes occurred in mental status and functional abilities over the course of 1 year. Although a number of studies examine factors that impact on successful adaptation in persons admitted to long-term care facilities, the longitudinal changes on functional abilities and mental status have not been addressed. These variables were examined in relation to the concept of self-care, which has been applied to the elderly only recently. Findings indicate a decline in mental status and an increase in functional dependency. Nursing implications and questions that merit further study in the area of self-care are presented.

Activities of Daily Living↗