Background: Kidney stones are a common, painful disorder that can affect as many as one of 11 people in the United States (Goldfarb & Arowojolu, 2013). The gold standard for diagnosing kidney stones is currently computed tomography (CT). However, because CT scans emit radiation during the exam, they could be causing more harm than good. According to recent research, ultrasound may be used to diagnose kidney stones with close to similar accuracy and reliability. Ultrasounds are also safer and more cost effective for patients and the healthcare system. Purpose: The purpose of this project is to describe nurse practitioners (NPs) use of ultrasound to diagnose kidney stones in the emergency department (ED). The information from this project was compared with the recent literature and used to develop an evidence-based practice recommendation for diagnosing suspected kidney stones in the ED. Methods: A 15-item survey was mailed to emergency department NPs across the United States. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the quantitative results. One open-ended question was also posed, and findings were grouped by commonalities of clinical experiences. Results: Analysis of survey responses indicates that all of the respondents use CT scan to diagnose kidney stones. However, the majority of the respondents also feel that ultrasound could be used in the ED to diagnose kidney stones. The results also demonstrate that even though there is no nationally or internationally accepted standardized guideline for diagnosing kidney stones in the ED, many EDs across the country are instituting their own protocols.

Terminally ill patients often have difficult choices at the end-of-life, and electing to receive hospice services is one of them. Hospice has been linked to improved quality of life and death and is accessible to terminally ill patients. Despite the accessibility, African American patients often make the decision to forgo hospice services. The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore perceptions and beliefs of nurse practitioners (NPs) regarding the lack of utilization of hospice for African American patients and the feasibility of NPs for initial referral for terminally ill African American patients. The research questions addressed whether an NP's perception, beliefs, and past experiences with hospice influence their decision to refer terminally ill African American patients to hospice. This project was guided by the theory of planned behavior to identify perceptions and beliefs of NPs about referrals for African American patients as well as knowledge to develop an awareness education program. Data were collected using a modified online survey administered to 8 NPs who practiced in Georgia or were members of a NPs' Facebook social group. Descriptive statistics demonstrated that the 8 NPs viewed hospice as a valuable service and cost-effective. Microsoft Excel was used to manage qualitative content, which demonstrated that NPs felt education was important for increasing African American patients' use of hospice. The implementation of an awareness education program can benefit NPs by educating them on the possible connection between their beliefs and perceptions about African American terminally ill patients and their decision to refer African American patients to hospice. Additionally, this project has the potential to improve end-of-life care.

No description available.

No description available.

Yau, Ching Ying. / Thesis (D.Nurs.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2013. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 180-194). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese; appendixes includes Chinese.

The purpose of this study was two-fold: to identify role functions and characteristics perceived as important to Advanced Nurse Practitioners (ANPs) in Texas, and to identify differences in perceived importance of role functions and characteristics of ANPs according to gender, educational preparation, practice setting, and whether the practitioner entered practice before or after the current rules and regulations for ANP practice were adopted. Two questionnaires and a demographic data form were mailed to 300 ANPs in primary health care in Texas, with 152 responding. Data from the questionnaire, "Characteristics of the Advanced Nurse Practitioner," were analyzed using independent group t-tests. The findings indicated that the characteristics "person-oriented," "perceptive," and "skilled in problem-solving" were the most valued by the practitioners, while aggressive" was the least valued. Independent group t-tests were used to analyze data from the instrument, "Advanced Nurse Practitioner Functions." The results of this analysis were not significant. The Chi square test was used to further examine data from this questionnaire to determine if the responses differed from chance. With the exception of four items, all of the responses differed significantly from chance. The responses "extremely important or important" were selected significantly more frequently that any of the other options. Not appropriate," was selected significantly more often than could be expected by chance for two functions: suturing minor lacerations and performing incision and drainage of wounds. Fourteen functions were examined further using frequency, percentage of responses, and the Chi square test to determine if there were differences in responses between groups. There were significant differences in responses between ANPs in nurse-managed settings and those in physician-managed settings on four functions: ordering diagnostic tests, prescribing medications in consultation with a physician, suturing minor lacerations, and performing incision and drainage of wounds. Practice setting and educational preparation were the variables which had the greatest impact on perceived importance of the characteristics and functions to ANP practice.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1995. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1995.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.