STUDENT: Kailey Gearhart

PROJECT ADVISOR: Annette Blasi-Strubeck

ABSTRACT

In the past, research regarding healthcare experiences has largely involved and focused on cisgender clients, leading to a lack of research on the healthcare experiences of transgender individuals. A scholarly literature review was conducted, and six articles were selected for further review. These peer-reviewed articles have identified multiple social barriers to healthcare for transgender individuals, health disparities in the transgender population, and some potential solutions to healthcare issues that transgender clients experience. Some social barriers identified included underlying cisnormativity and transphobia of healthcare providers and healthcare systems, mistreatment or disrespect within the healthcare system, and a lack of consistent and correct identification of transgender clients from admission to discharge. The articles identified healthcare disparities in the transgender community such as an increased risk of mental illness, less access to culturally competent care, and less correct knowledge on routine health screenings. In order to improve the overall health of transgender individuals, it is important to create a healthcare system that is inclusive, educated, and supportive of the transgender community. This can be achieved through including transgender content in prelicensure education for students who are entering the healthcare field through identifying and talking about transgender concerns, fears, and experiences within the current healthcare system, continuing education seminars, workshops, and in-services for current healthcare providers, and providing opportunities for mentorship and professional education on culturally competent care for transgender clients.

STUDENT: Paige Patton

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Hospice care is for patients terminally ill which offers available care 24 hours a day. These patients have been deemed by a physician to have six months or less life expectancy. Different from most medical care, the goal of hospice is to provide comfort and relief of symptoms. Examples of common diagnoses that patients may have who are eligible for hospice care include but are not limited to cancer, organ failure, and dementia. Pain is an issue at end-of -life Therefore, systematic guidelines are needed to improve the quality of end-of-life care for hospice patients to be monitored and followed through effectively by registered nurses regardless of personal belief. The purpose of this literature review is to determine the effectiveness of nurse led teaching interventions regarding pain management on attitudes of registered nurses caring for patients at the end of life. The database, PubMed yielded articles used. Articles used were mixed method systemic reviews and systemic reviews. In conclusion with more education to registered nurses to use the nonverbal pain scales and medication ordered by physician when indicated without incorporation of personal belief for these patients we can have more satisfied pain management among all end-of-life care nationwide.

STUDENT: Samantha Davis

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Coronary artery disease (CAD) continues to be the number one killer among adults in the United States. CAD leads to several complications, including major cardiac events such as myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmia, coronary artery bypass graft, and stent placement. Cardiac patients often suffer with depression after suffering from a cardiac event. Studies have shown that a diagnosis of depression impacts overall functional health, outcomes, and quality of life. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to investigate whether counseling services can decrease the rate of depression experienced by cardiac patients. Methods: A literature review was conducted to retrieve the most relevant information pertaining to the topic. CINAHL, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases were accessed and searched to obtain relevant data. Four articles were selected to be part of the research study. All four articles are quantitative studies, including randomized control trials (RCT), systematic reviews and one meta-analysis. All the articles were filtered from 2010 to present time (2020). Keywords that were utilized included “depression” and “cardiology” and “quality of life”. Results: The four articles yielded similar results. Each of the articles supported the idea that intervening in the patient’s mental health status after experiencing a cardiac event created better outcomes than when no intervention was implemented. Conclusions: Counseling services, mental health follow-up, and therapy can assist in improving quality of life and decrease the rate of depression in patients that are recovering from a cardiac event.

STUDENT: Dana Beecroft

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, is a chronic neurodegenerative disease of the brain. It is an irreversible process that damages memory and thinking skills. Research has shown that music therapy in individuals with Alzheimer’s can have a positive effect on their behavior. Research was found using CINAHL and key words such as: Dementia, Alzheimer’s, music therapy, and behavioral issues. Thirty six hits came up and five were chosen to be used. The purpose of this literature review is to review research related to the topic and explain how it can be implemented in settings. It describes how music therapy is able to help someone with Alzheimer’s disease for the use of their families, caretakers, and nursing home facilities. The interventions focused on monitoring individuals moods before, during, and after music therapy sessions. Different interventions tried different forms of music therapy or tried to enhance different parts of cognitive behavior. This research has shown that although more research needs to be done before healthcare providers start recommending this, music therapy can have a positive effect on behavior in individuals who have Alzheimer’s.

First Place in Category #1 – Nursing Health & Aging

STUDENT: Liliana Kettenburg

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Background
Dementia is a progressive syndrome characterized by profound loss of cognitive function; this syndrome has a devastating impact on both the lives of the afflicted and their families. No medical cure currently exists, creating the need to identify preventative measures (World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). One proposed possibility includes the implementation of a healthy lifestyle and inclusion of specific dietary nutrients.

Purpose
The purpose of this research is to determine the impact of a diet high in omega-3 on the risk for the development of dementia in adults.

Methods
A literature review was performed to uncover relevant information related to the effects of omega-3 on the development of dementia. The databases utilized included the Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) and the Cochrane Library. The key terms of omega-3 fatty acids, dementia, cognition, and memory were employed. Limiters applied to the conducted searches included linked full text, English language, and a publication date ranging from 2010 to 2020.

Results
Five articles were determined to be pertinent to the topic. Similar results were revealed in each study, concluding that omega-3 increases cognitive functioning in adults, therefore decreasing their overall dementia risk.

Conclusions
Dementia is increasing in incidence due to the lack of a medical cure. It is crucial to prevent its onset before it develops via a healthy lifestyle, particularly by including omega-3 fatty acids in one’s diet. Adults consuming a diet high in omega-3 can effectively maintain cognitive function as they age, decrease their dementia risk, and potentially avoid the costs associated with such an impactful condition as dementia.

STUDENT: Rachael Salvaterra

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Dementia is a debilitating disease with no cure that affects millions of people and their loved ones across the world. Behavioral changes are a common side effect that follows in this disease process. Without many pharmaceutical options available, health care providers often prescribe atypical antipsychotic drugs that are not approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for dementia-related psychosis. Research has shown that the use of long-term atypical antipsychotic drugs has several adverse effects in patients 65 years or greater; therefore, a gradual dose reduction is implemented to decrease these reactions. However, some patients can be tapered off these medications successfully while others show an increase in symptoms of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The purpose of this paper is to compare the impact of gradual dose reductions of antipsychotic drugs on elderly dementia patients with BPSD versus patients with no dose change. A review of literature was conducted to find the most relevant up-to-date research available. Various research was retrieved from several databases to find the most significant evidence. Key terms used in the search included “dementia,” “behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia,” and “antipsychotics”. Numerous articles of various degrees of evidence were reviewed and there is no clear consensus as to the best treatment for tapering antipsychotic medications in this population in regards to BPSD symptoms. New rigorous research is needed to provide a better alternative for a growing number of people battling dementia and the BPSD that comes along with this disease.

Second Place in Category #1 – Nursing Health & Aging

STUDENTS: Lucy Adams, Angel Hunting, Kaléi Kowalchik

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Elder abuse is a single or repeated act and/or lack of appropriate action occurring in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which leads to harm of a person over 60 years of age. It is estimated that at least 11% of the over 60 population has experienced some form of elder abuse. Elder abuse includes physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and verbal and non-verbal abuse. Because of dependence on caregivers and lack of knowledge on the warning signs, it is suspected that elder abuse goes frequently undetected. Medical professionals are in a unique opportunity to detect and report elder abuse as they are often the first to examine elderly people after an act of abuse has occurred. In order to address potential barriers to elder abuse detection and best practices in detection, a literature review was conducted using the scholarly databases CINAHL and PubMed. From the literature, potential barriers to detection included the similarities between abuse signs and normal patterns of aging, victims not coming forward about abuse because of dependence on family members or caregivers, a lack of healthcare personnel training, and inefficiency of mandated reporting laws. Best practices in detection included obtaining a full medical history, discussing potential abuse alone with the patient, understanding the warning signs of elder abuse, and using a detailed medical assessment. Health care professionals can use this information to better understand elder abuse so it can be detected and reported more frequently