Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Nursing Journal - 2010; 17(2)

De�erli Okurlar�m�za

Prof.Dr. Fethiye ERD�L — 2010-06-01

Quality of Life and Affecting Factors of Quality of Life of Burn Patients

Ar. G�r. Zahide TUNA, Prof. Dr. Cengiz �ET�N — 2010-06-01

This study has been performed descriptively and correlational to investigate the effects of the experienced burn trauma to patients' quality of life (QOL). Study sample was composed of 88 patients admitted to five different institutions with burn trauma. As data collecting tools, ‘survey form', and “burn specific health scale” of which validation and reliability study was performed by researchers were used. According to statistical analysis; differences between the sex and QOL was not significant (p>0.05), whereas the relationship between burn depth, burned surface area and QOL was significant (p< 0.05). According to the results derived from the study, burn trauma, no matter how much well treated, causes reductions in QOL individually. Thus fields which deal with burns as health and industry should behave dynamically to protect individuals from burns. “Burn specific health scale”, adopted for our country conditions, is reliable and valid to quantify the QOL of burn patients.

The Use of Protective Measures by Nurses who Prepare and Administer Chemotherapeutic Drugs and Factors these Measures Affecting

Prof. Dr. Nermin OLGUN, Hem�. H�sniye ��M�EK — 2010-06-01

Aim: This cross-sectional descriptive study which has taken place between May-October 2009, has been conducted to determine the adequacy of safety measures taken by nurses and the factors that prevent sufficient protection against chemotherapeutic applications. Method: Sample group consisted of 130 nurses employed in three public and five university hospitals who administer chemotherapy and have agreed to participate in this study. Data were collected through questionnaire which consisted of questions regarding demographic variables, protective measures used during various activities with cytotoxic drugs, and factors preventing the use of protective measures. Result: As a result of nurses it was identified that nurses did not take protective measures during preparation and administration of chemotherapeutic drugs, and waste disposals. Most often protective measures taken by nurses during the use of chemotherapeutic drugs was the use of gloves. Nurses did not receive regular training about the safe use of chemotherapeutic agents, those who received training protected themselves much better. Shortage of materials and workload were main factors that influence the use of protective measures. Conclusion: Health care institutions should conform to the standards of safe use of antineoplastic drugs, which has been proposed by the Ministry of Health and Association of Oncology Nurses.

The Influence of Sleep Habits and Sleep Problems on Some School Functions of Elementary School 2^nd Level Students

2010-06-01

Aim: This study was carried out to with the aim to evaluate the influence of sleep habits and sleep problems on some school functions of elementary school 2nd level students. Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 students attending to primary 2nd level of a school in �ankaya district of Ankara. A questionnaire form prepared by researchers was used for data collection. Data were collected in classroom environment based on self-reporting of students between 14 -16 April 2008. Means, percentages and logistic regression (backward method) analysis were used in evaluation of the data. Results: In the study, sleeping after 10:00 pm and waking-up before from 08.00 am, not making the decision about sleeping time, dissatisfaction about sleeping time, getting support for waking up, having difficulties in falling asleep, feeling sleepiness during daytime, noises at the bed room because of television etc., were identified as risk factors affecting the school functions adversely.along with various demographic variables, such as gender and having to go to courses. Conclusion: At the end of the study, it was determined that sleeping habits of students and sleeping room have negative features, students have sleep problems and these conditions have negative effects on school functions.

Opinions of Patients on Physical Environmental Features of Intensive Care Units

Bil. Uzm. Hem�. G�zin Yasemin TUN�AY, Do�. Dr. H�lya U�AR — 2010-06-01

The features of the physical environment at intensive care unit may cause to stress, and patients may experience problems such as sensual variations, sleep deprivation, and disorientations to time and place. Identification of the physical environment features causing discomfort in patients is essential for preventing such problems. This study was carried out descriptively to identify the opinions of patients about the physical environment features of the intensive care unit. The population of this study consisted 603 patients hospitalized at coronary, general surgery and internal medicine wards of a University Adults Hospital, and sampling included 154 patients hospitalized at least three days at intensive care units, who were able to communicate, and whose health status was relatively stabil. Out of this sample, interviews could be conducted with 106 patients. Thus, the response rate was 68,8%. The results indicated that 37,7% of patients had sleep deprivations, 18,9% had difficulties in distinguishing between day and night times. With regard to the physical environment features, 69,8% of patients grieved from being bed-ridden in the intensive care unit, 62,3% was suffering from the lack of leisure time activity materials such as TV's, radios and etc, and 35.8% had feelings of discomfort because of limited access to visitors, 34,0% for testifying other patients' suffering in pain and having their conditions getting worse, gradually over time and finally a 32,1% was uncomfortable for being at an alien environment. The study highlighted that patients hospitalized in general surgery and internal medicine intensive care units and patients with severe health problems felt more discomfort from the physical environment features.

A Study of Validity and Reliability of Nursing Dilemma Test and Nurses' Level of Ethical Decision-Making

Yard. Do�. Dr. Birg�l CER�T — 2010-06-01

Objectives: The aim of this study was to adapt in Turkish version a Nursing Dilemma Test and determine the nurses' level of ethical decision making. Methods: The data of this study were obtained from 50 nurses. The Nursing Dilemma Test, which was developed by Crisham was used as an instrument for data collection. Data were analysed using Pearson correlations and descriptive statistics. Results: Cronbach's α coefficient was .59 for the nursing principled thinking and .50 for practical considerations. The nursing principled thinking mean score of nurses was above average (52.72 � 6.57), while the practical consideration mean score was nearly at the level of average (17.54 � 4.13). Most of the nurses (74%) were familiar to ethical dilemmas in nursing practice. Conclusion: Although the reliability of ‘The Nursing Dilemma Test' was found to be very low, it can be used as a tool to measure the level of nurses' ethical decision making in Turkey after an evaluation of its psychometric properties.

Determination of the Beliefs Towards to Mental Illness in Nursing Students in Baskent University

2010-06-01

Aim: Investigation of the beliefs of nursing students in a university towards mental diseases. Method: In this descriptive study, 174 nursing students participated. Data collection tool consisted of 2 parts. The first section, which consisted of 13 questions about the sociodemographic characteristics have been developed by researchers based on the relevant literature. In the second part, which included 21 questions, The Mental Disease Belief Scale (MDBS) was used. Results: The age of 164 (94.3%) students ranged between 20 to 25 years and 166 (95.4%) of participants were female. It was identified that the students scored 45.597�16.196 from The Beliefs toward Mental Illness subscale whereas they scored 19,.695�6.439 from the dangerous subscale, 24.454�10.058 and 1.448�1.945 from the poor social and interpersonal skills and incurability subscales respectively. Conclusion: According to the Beliefs towards Mental Illness Scale, nursing students had positive beliefs towards mental illness.

The Concept of Caring and Its' Moral Component

Do�. Dr. Leyla D�N� — 2010-06-01

This article explicated the concept of caring from an analytic and moral point of view, and discussed the uniqueness of caring in nursing by drawing on various definitions and conceptualizations about nursing care. Conceptually caring, in particular nursing care is inferred to be a phenomenon, which has a moral dimension, and attention is paid to the importance of awareness of affective component of nursing and nurses' moral responsibilities. It is emphasized that nursing care includes professional understanding, knowledge and skills, however, that the most distinctive peculiarity is the relationship between nurse-patient, which is considered as the waist bone of nursing care. It is concluded that caring can not be unique in and special to nursing if the waist bone is damaged or broken, but caring without nursing care could be unprofessional.

Quality Use of Analgesics in Surgical Patients

Yard.Do�. Dr. Saide FAYDALI — 2010-06-01

Pain in surgical patients occurs both due to disease requiring surgical intervention and tissue damage during surgery in patient hospitalized in surgical clinics. The most widely used form of treatment is pharmacological treatment to eliminate surgical patient's pain. In Turkey, analgesics are the most widely used drugs among the first five group drug, as well as all over the world. When used correctly medications can prevent problems that threats human life and health, whereas incorrect use of drugs may result in advers events including death. The concept of quality use of drug has become important due to advers events regarding drugs and the increasing cost. Nurses have an important role in the quality use of analgesics. Assessment of pain, determination of the need for analgesics, administration of analgesics to the patient according to the doctor's order and evaluation of the result of the application are among the responsibilities of nurses. In this article, pain in surgical patients, analgesics, principles of quality use of analgesics and nurse's role and responsibilities for analgesics practice are discussed. This article is thought to contribute to nurses about quality use of analgesics at the surgical patients.

Oral Care in Patients Receiving Mechanical Ventilator

Ar. G�r. Dr. H�sna �ZVEREN — 2010-06-01

In patients receiving mechanical ventilation; drugs, endotracheal tube, which requires the mouth to remain continuously open, use of plasters for fastening the tube, lack of oral liquid and food consumption cause to lose integrity of the mouth and surrounding tissues and changes the flora of the mouth. Providing and maintaining oral hygiene of patients receiving mechanical ventilation is vital in preventing oral problems and ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) due to mechanical ventilation, changes in oral mucosa and poor oral care originated In this article, the importance of oral care and special considerations for maintaining and protection of oral mucosa in patients on mechanical ventilation are discussed.