Hacettepe University Faculty of Health Sciences Nursing Journal - 2009; 16(1)

De�erli Okurlar�m�za

Prof.Dr. Fethiye ERD�L — 2009-01-01

Evaluation of Fatigue in Individuals with Arthritis

Yrd.Do�.Dr. Ayla �NSAL — 2009-01-01

Background: Complaints of fatigue are common almost all chronic illnesses, especially prevalent in pain disorders such as fibromyalgia syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. Objective: This study was conducted for the purpose of determining fatigue in individuals with arthritis. Method: Data had obtained from 250 arthritis patients at Physiotherapy and Immunology policlinics and clinics of Atat�rk University Hospital in Turkey between May and July 2005. As the data gathering tools, a questionnaire form and Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue (VAS-F) were used. Results: Internal consistency for VAS-F was good for arthritis individuals. Cronbach's alpha of fatigue subscale was 0.87 and energy subscale was 0.84. Statistically significant differences were found between fatigue and energy subscales and socio-demographic variables. These differences were identified between the VAS-F point averages and female, older, widowed, literate, more income, carrying on with special exercise programs. Conclusion: Fatigue levels of individuals with arthritis was found to be high. This study had determined socio-demographic variables associated with the fatigue.

Examination of a Family Centered Care Practice at the Children's Units of a University Hospital

Ar�. G�r. Handan BOZTEPE, Prof. Dr. Hicran �AVU�O�LU — 2009-01-01

This study was conducted for descriptive purpose to determine the care at pediatric units of a university hospital in terms of family centered care practice. Demographic data forms, interview questionnaires consist of open and close ended questions were used in the study. The study performed on 81 mothers. Chi-square tests have been used for statistical evaluation of the collected data. Descriptive values have been given in numbers and percentages. It has been identified that mothers primarily undertook the physical care of their children in hospital and therefore they were not able to meet their own needs. It has been determined that most of the mothers undertook the administration of medicine and often gave the medicines that were taken orally. It has been also observed that mothers were not given sufficient information on the care of their children and that they did not participate in the decisions concerning with their children. Furthermore it has been determined that mothers could not ask questions to and share their concerns with the nurses either because they were busy or unwilling to answer the questions of the mothers. In parallel with the outcomes from the study, establishing family centred care policies by hospital administration and sharing the philosophy of family centred care with families during hospitalization were suggested.

The Effects of Home Care Services on the Complications of Early Discharged Newborns

��r. G�r. Dr. G�lten I�IK KO�, Prof. Dr. Kafiye ERO�LU — 2009-01-01

Early postpartum discharge means hospital discharge of mothers within 24 hours after vaginal delivery or 48 hours after caesarean section. In recent years the comprehension of early discharge of mother and newborn after an uncomplicated delivery has been accepted. However, the newborn are at increased risk of various problems during the first week after early hospital discharge and throughout the postpartum period. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of the developed home care services model for the early discharged newborns. The sample size of this study consisted of 50 intervention and 50 control groups, in total of 100 infants who were matched one by one according to their maternal - age, education, family type, parity and the prenatal care – status. The researcher got acquainted with the mothers and the infants at the delivery and postnatal care service of the hospital. Both of the groups had been visited during the postpartum second, seventh, fifteenth days and sixth week in total 4 times at their homes. The data were analysed through percentage and relative risk calculations, Chi – square test, Fisher Chi – square test and the importance of the difference between two averages tests. In the control group 82.0% and in the intervention group 58.0% of the infants did not experience any problems during the postnatal six week period. The average weight gain of the infants in the control group was lower compared to the infants in the intervention group. The infants in the control group had more problems like physiologic jaundice, infections of eyes, and they readmitted more to the hospital compared to the infants in the intervention group. Even though the newborn do not experience any problems during the hospital stay, they are at risk for various problems in the first six week of postpartum period. For this reason, the mothers who could not have the possibility to get sufficient education and counselling at the hospital should be followed at home and being informed on infant care and her needs. Thus the development of complications could be prevented or early diagnosed and appropriate treatment could be offered.

The Levels of Critical Thinking of Students in School of Health

��r.G�r. Selma ATAY, Ebru EK�M, Sezen G�KKAYA, Emine SA�IM — 2009-01-01

This study has been conducted as descriptive to investigate the critical thinking level of students at school of health. The population of the study comprised all of the nursing and midwifery students at the School of Health in �anakkale Onsekiz Mart University during the education -teaching year of 2007-2008 (N=285). The sample includes 250 voluntary students who could be accessed. Data of the study was collected by using a form including sociodemographic characteristics and California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI). Data were analyzed through using the t-test for independent samples and one-way ANOVA. According to the findings of this study, it was determined that the mean score of the CCTDI were found as 198.31, which is accepted as low level critical thinking skills. There was no statistically significant differences between the mean scores of students according to their grades (F=1.875, p>0.05). There was also no statistically significant difference between the total mean scores of nursing and midwifery students. Critical thinking mean scores of students joining to social activities were identified higher than other students. (t= 2.578, p<0.05). In line with these results, teaching methods and strategies that will improve critical thinking skills of nursing and midwifery students and creating opportunities for activities are suggested.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a First Aid Training Course on Drivers

2009-01-01

Introduction: Natural disasters such as earthquake and erosion, war and accidents have been causing disabilities and death of so many people as well as leaving people homeless. First aid training has an important place in preparation of the community to the emergency situation. Methods: The research was performed to assess the effectiveness of first aid training program for service drivers. Drivers were trained based on a first aid book which was prepared by the researchers, and they were shown how to practice if they need. Data were collected by using pre-test questionnaire, post-test questionnaire and observation form. The collected data were evaluated by percentage, repeated measurements of oneway ANOVA, paired-samples T test, pearson correlation coefficient, and fisher's exact chi-square test. Results: As a result of this research it was determined that the level of knowledge of service drivers on first aid was increased in posttest. After first aid education, the majority of the drivers received perfect point or near to perfect point in the evaluation of their first aid practices. Conclusion: Based on these results, wide-spreading of the first aid education programs to whole sections of the community with collaboration of the various associations and foundation and constant and practical of this program and nurses that are taking an effective role in first aid training were suggested.

Care of Elderly Clients Before and After Urostomy

Do�.Dr. Sevilay �ENOL �EL�K — 2009-01-01

Cystectomy is among surgical treatments of bladder and prostate cancer which occurs more frequently at old age period. Care of the elderly persons with urostomy after cystectomy should be given in light of physiological changes occuring at old age period; physical, psychological and social needs of her/him and chronic diseases and stoma having the elderly person. This article has taken in hand care of the elderly persons before and after the urostomy.

Evaluation Criterion in Neutropenic Patient and Nursing Care

Hem�. Huri Seval G�NDEREN, Sevgisun KAPUCU — 2009-01-01

Neutropenia is the most important side-effect of chemotherapy and a status which increase mortality rate and requires emergency intervention. The nurses giving care for neutropenic patient should plan care of this patient after the evaluation of patient's status. Thus, quality of patient life increases and the cost and period of hospitalization can be decreased. This paper is included evaluation criterion for neutropenia in neutropenia patient and nursing care.