Transitioning Florida NPs to opioid prescribing.

Prior to statutory changes in prescriptive authority for controlled substances, this study examined the knowledge gaps and prescribing limitations of Florida advanced registered nurse practitioners regarding opioids. Study results revealed statistically significant knowledge gaps in the areas of federal and state guidelines; opioid classes and proper doses; risk assessment skills; monitoring of treatment; and confidence in dealing with challenges of opioid prescribing.

Predicting depressive symptoms and self-care in patients with heart failure.

Objective: To examine relationships among heart failure (HF) physical symptoms, social support, social problem-solving, depressive symptoms, and self-care behaviors in outpatients with HF.

Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from 201 outpatients. Structural equation modeling was used in this preliminary analysis to examine the relationships among the study variables.

Factors associated with depressive symptoms in patients with heart failure.

Home healthcare clinicians commonly provide care for individuals with heart failure (HF). Certain factors may influence the development of depressive symptoms in those with HF. This cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational pilot study (N = 50) examined interrelationships among HF symptoms, social support (actual and perceived), social problem-solving, and depressive symptoms.

Basal-bolus insulin therapy and glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a review of the literature.

Purpose: To present an integrative review related to basal-bolus insulin therapy and glycemic control in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Data Sources: A search of the Cochrane, Medline (first search and PubMed), and CINAHL electronic databases was conducted from 2004 through 2011 using the search terms "basal-bolus insulin therapy, sliding scale insulin, glycemic control, and adult."

Conclusions: Comparisons were made of glycemic control, safety, adverse events, body weight, and insulin dose showing basal-bolus insulin therapy to be at least equal, if not superior to sliding scale insulin for the patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

A study of the relationship of nursing interventions and cognitions to the physiologic outcomes of care in a simulated task environment.

This study, based on the Expert Performance Approach, examined the clinical nursing performance of participants who were introduced into a simulated task environment requiring them to administer care to a client experiencing an exacerbation of Congestive Heart Failure. This was undertaken to identify cognitive and physiologic variables that differentiate performance levels among participants. Data on participant actions and verbal reports were coded to characterize their relationship with physiologic responses of the Human Patient Simulator.

A faith-based screening/education program for diabetes, CVD, and stroke in rural African Americans.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a faith-based health screening/education program to ultimately reduce risk factors for diabetes (DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and stroke (CVA) in a southern, rural, African-American population. Over 120 parishioners from four rural African-American churches attended health education/screening programs offered as a part of their Bible Study. The majority of participants were female, married, with a mean age of 45 years.

Self-perception in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The purpose of this study was to compare self-perceptions of children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with those of children not diagnosed with ADHD. Seventy-seven children aged 8-12 years composed the two groups-38 participants with ADHD and 39 control participants without ADHD. The children completed the Self-Perception Profile for Children Questionnaire designed to measure self-perceptions in school-aged children.

Comparative analysis of body mass index, consumption of fruits and vegetables, smoking, and physical activity among Florida residents.

The purpose of this study was to compare body mass index (BMI), consumption of fruits and vegetables, smoking, and physical activity in residents of the 7 Florida counties with the highest reported BMI to residents of the 7 Florida counties with the lowest reported BMI utilizing 2002 data from the Florida Department of Health Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Results showed that survey respondents in counties with the lowest mean BMI consumed significantly more fruits and vegetables, compared to respondents in counties with the highest BMI. A positive relation between mean BMI and consumption of fruits and vegetables remained when controlled for physical activity, but not for smoking.

Colon cancer screening in African American women.

African American women are more likely to die of colorectal cancer than are women of any other racial or ethic group. Early diagnosis depends on routine examination and screening. However, studies have shown that African American women are not utilizing available screening tools.

The relationship of perceived benefits and barriers to reported exercise behaviors in college undergraduates.

This study examines current exercise habits and perceived benefits and barriers to exercise in a sample of 147 undergraduate university students. It found a significant relationship between perceived benefits and barriers to exercise and current exercise habits. Benefits most often associated with regular exercise habits relate to physical performance and appearance.

The extent, nature, and precipitating factors of nurse assault among three groups of registered nurses in a regional medical center.

Introduction: This study investigated nurse perceptions of the incidence and nature of verbal and physical assault or abuse by patients and their family members or visitors.

Methods: A survey was given to ED, ICU, and general floor nurses in a 770-bed acute care north Florida medical center.

Results: The response rate was 68.