Nursing – Injury/Disease

#31-H (ID) Effects of Treatment Court on Sobriety

mrm9 Nursing – Injury/Disease, Poster

STUDENT: Domenica Coleman

Effects of Treatment Court on Sobriety Poster

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Two thirds of the United States prison population are addicted to drugs or alcohol or both. More than half of those addicts will return to jail due to violations or new charges. While jail time is warranted in most charges against addicts, is it helping to treat the underlying issue? Another alternative to incarceration, is drug treatment courts (DTC). DTCs are a highly supervised, long term probation period offered to high risk individuals with substance use disorder and non-violent charges. This research presents a review of recent research literature to determine the effectiveness of substance abuse interventions used in the criminal justice system, including DTCs and prison. This research compares the advantages and disadvantages of DTCs to incarceration based on sobriety rates. Results suggest high rates of success within time spent in the DTC compared to prison which showed high rates of relapse, violation, and reoffence. However, little research was found to support long term sobriety after completion of the program.

#29-H (ID) Effectiveness of Structured Oral Care in Relation to Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults

mrm9 Nursing – Injury/Disease, Poster

STUDENT: Summer Czekaj

Effectiveness of Structured Oral Care in Relation to Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults Poster

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Hospital-acquired pneumonia is an infection of the lungs that occurs during a hospital stay and kill 50,000 U.S. people every year. This type of pneumonia can be very severe, and sometimes, it can be fatal. The teeth may serve as a reservoir for respiratory pathogen colonization and subsequent nosocomial pneumonia in patients. Oral care prevents the formation of bacterial plaque in the mouth. The purpose of this literature review is to determine if a link exists between a structured individualized oral care program and the frequency of hospital-acquired pneumonia in adults. This literature review examined four studies from 2016 to 2019 that supported oral care decreasing the frequency of hospital-acquired pneumonia. These studies were retrieved using the database CINAHL. Keywords included for the searches: oral care, hospital-acquired pneumonia, adult, dental care, and the United States. The limiters included participants must be older than eighteen and cannot be admitted to the hospital with preexisting respiratory illnesses. This review resulted that a structured oral care program can lower the frequency of hospital-acquired pneumonia.

#28-H (ID) Impact of Including a Vegetarian Diet with Standard Treatment on Cancer Remission Rates in Adults

mrm9 Nursing – Injury/Disease, Poster

STUDENT: Ashley Paranich

Impact of Including a Vegetarian Diet with Standard Treatment on Cancer Remission Rates in Adults Poster

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Impact of Vegetarian Diet on Cancer Remission
Background:By the year 2020, the suspected number of new cases of cancer are projected to increase by one million per year. There is research on the benefits of following specific diets that can help prevent disease, prolong life after disease, and even reverse the disease process in addition to other interventions. The implementation of a vegetarian diet along with other medical interventions could prove to be very useful in decreasing signs and symptoms of cancer, thus, speeding the rate at which a patient goes into remission, and ultimately decreasing the cost for patients with cancer.
Purpose:
The purpose of this research is to determine if excluding meat products from diet is of any benefit to the cancer patient along with standard treatment.
Methods:
After examining several articles from CINAHL and Google Scholar, four articles were chosen for relevancy and currency to be included in this research study. The keywords used to retrieve documents included a combination of: cancer, remission, native, vegetarian, plant-based, diet, and gut microbiome.
Results:
All four of the studies chosen showed possible evidence that vegetarian diets are a successful cancer therapy.
Conclusions:
Vegetarian diets can be helpful to patients suffering from cancer before diagnosis, while living with the disease, with or without other medical treatment, and after successful recovery. The diet can be followed to varying degrees, however there is evidence for success in cancer remission, possible prevention, also an increased chance of survival after remission.

#25-H (ID) Complimentary Alternative Therapy Versus Pharmaceutical Treatment in Persons Living with Irritable Bowel Disease and Their Overall Quality of Life

mrm9 Nursing – Injury/Disease, Poster

STUDENT: Jessica Simchak

Complimentary Alternative Therapy Versus Pharmaceutical Treatment in Persons Living with Irritable Bowel Disease and Their Overall Quality of Life Poster

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term used to define two conditions: Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. These illnesses cause severe inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. IBD comes with many negative symptoms such as pain, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anemia, etc. The main course of treatment for IBD is pharmacotherapy for symptom management with the goal of remission. Research has shown that pharmaceutical treatment used in IBD can cause patients to experience adverse effects in the body systems. The purpose of this literature review is to synthesize relevant literature related to the topic of treatments of IBD and the adverse effects associated with pharmaceutical therapy versus non-pharmacologic/complementary alternative medicine (CAM) treatments. The keywords used to retrieve information from the research databases includes: IBD, CAM treatment, Non-pharmacological treatment, IBD patients, adverse effects, remission, QOL, and pharmaceutical treatment. Over 200 articles were retrieved during this research process. The articles found to be most suitable for this literature review were cohort studies, randomized controlled studies, and systematic reviews. Non-pharmacologic/CAM treatments have proven effective in treating IBD by managing patient’s symptoms and putting them into a remission without negatively affecting the body systems. With a non-pharmacologic approach/CAM therapy IBD patients can control their disease without the negative effects of medications.

#24-H(ID) The Relationship Between Consumption of Stimulant Beverages in Relation to Relapse Rates in Persons Recovering from Addiction

mrm9 Nursing – Injury/Disease, Poster

STUDENT: Gabrielle Percival

The Relationship Between Consumption of Stimulant Beverages in Relation to Relapse Rates in Persons Recovering from Addiction Poster

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

The rate of drug relapse was studied in adults recovering from drug addiction in relation to the consumption or lack thereof of stimulant-containing beverages. Stimulant-containing beverages that are discussed are mainly coffee, but also some instances of energy drink consumption. In total, four research studies were examined in depth and select parts were put into use with the specific research question of whether stimulant-containing beverages prevent or provoke drug relapse. These articles were found both on Google Scholar and in a general search in Penn State University Libraries, both without any filters and used a combination of the keywords: drug relapse, addiction, addicts, coffee, caffeine, stimulants, alcoholics, Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous. After a complete review, the use of stimulant-containing beverages does play a role in helping to prevent relapse in persons in recovery due to the reward pathway in the brain and by blocking negative affects. The stimulant-containing beverages, especially coffee, help block the brain receptors that crave mind altering substances such as drugs and alcohol. It was found that caffeine works on the reward pathway of the brain in a less severe way, but still provides the feeling of stimulant drugs. This finding is not yet widely known and could be of great assistance to the medical professionals, rehabilitation personnel, family members of those struggling with addiction and persons suffering from addiction themselves.

#23-H (ID) Impact of Mercaptopurine Versus Clofarabine on Five Year Survival Rates in Pediatric ALL Patients

mrm9 Nursing – Injury/Disease, Poster

STUDENT: Megan Auttonberry

Impact of Mercaptopurine Versus Clofarabine on Five Year Survival Rates in Pediatric ALL Patients Poster

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a cancer of white blood cells. In ALL, white blood cells are abnormally produced at a rapid pace and get into the bloodstream. Specific chemotherapy treatments in treating ALL need to be chosen carefully in order to positively impact survival rate in the pediatric population. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to determine if Mercaptopurine compared to Clofarabine is more effective in treating ALL to positively impact 5-year survival rates. Methods: A literature review was conducted to retrieve the most significant information that was relevant to the research purpose. In order to find the most relevant information, scholarly databases were searched for the most notable evidence. The key terms “Mercaptopurine”, “Clofarabine”, “children”, “side effects”, “survival rate”, “leukemia”, and “acute lymphocytic leukemia” were utilized. A limiter 10 years was applied. Results: Four articles of contrasting evidence were reviewed. The studies all entailed pros and cons of both Mercaptopurine and Clofarabine. Research showed Clofarabine as a promising effective treatment for leukemia. Both medications are usually used in combination with other medications to treat leukemia. Conclusions: There was not enough evidence to determine if Mercaptopurine is more effective in treating ALL than Clofarabine. Most of the studies that were found dealt with these drugs in combination with other chemotherapy drugs. There was no study comparing Mercaptopurine to Clofarabine without combination medications involved. Therefore, an accurate determination of drug effectiveness could not be made.

#21-H (ID) Distinguishing the Risk Factors of Esophageal Cancer: Silent Reflux and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

mrm9 Nursing – Injury/Disease, Poster

STUDENT:Stacey Pusti

Distinguishing the Risk Factors of Esophageal Cancer: Silent Reflux and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Poster

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is detectable from the symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation. Silent GERD is not as easily detectable with 11.6-45.3% of patients with erosion. Overtime, the continuous erosion of the protective barriers of the esophagus eventually lead to Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal cancer. Thus, there is need to identify the signs and symptoms of silent GERD early to decrease the mortality rates of esophageal cancer.
Purpose
To analyze the literature for best practices for patients suffering with GERD and silent GERD.
Methods
A literature review was conducted searching for the highest level of evidence surrounding those suffering from GERD or silent GERD. Databases related to the health sciences were searched to locate possible scholarly evidence. This included Penn State University Libraries, PubMed, and ProQuest Nursing and Allied Health Database. The search terms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, silent acid reflux, esophageal cancer mortality, GERD and economical, and hospitalized GERD patients were utilized. Inclusion criteria consisted of peer reviewed journals published between 2010-2020. Exclusion criteria consisted of children with GERD or silent GERD, and adult patients not suffering with GERD or silent GERD.
Results
Upon completion of the literature review, 15 articles were retrieved and reviewed for their relevancy to this project. Of the 15 articles, 11 were retained because of their applicability to the research purpose.
Conclusions
It is imperative for health care workers and patients to be aware of silent GERD and do regular diagnostic testing when the patient is at risk to avoid life threatening repercussions.

#20-H (ID) Medical Marijuana VS. Opioids In Treating Chronic Pain

mrm9 Nursing – Injury/Disease, Poster

STUDENT: Stephen Wegener

Medical Marijuana VS. Opioids In Treating Chronic Pain

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Chronic pain is something that an individual has to live with every day of their lives and makes it hard to function. We thought, opioids were going to be the end to chronic pain and be the curing medication. After these medications had been on the market people began to realize a need for a higher dose to get that same effect. The purpose of this paper is to obtain applicable literature to the topic of looking at the difference in pain scale ratings in adult patients with chronic pain being treated with medical marijuana in place of opioids. With intentions to describe an evidence based practice that will be accepted by healthcare workers treating those with chronic pain. CINALH database was used to search the keywords of chronic pain or persistent pain or long-term pain and medical marijuana that provided four results. Two articles were able to be used, “Benefits and Adverse Effects of Cannabis Use Among Adults with Persistent Pain” and “Frequency of Cannabis and Illicit Opioid Use Among People Who Use Drugs and Report Chronic Pain.” Another search was conducted on CINALH using the keywords of: causes of chronic pain voiding forty-five results. One article was able to use in this study, “Drug Dependence in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Retrospective Study.” One final search was conducted on CINAHL using the keywords of: side effects, opioids or opiates or pain meds, chronic pain. This provided four-hundred-fifty-two results giving us one article that will be used in this study. “Medical Cannabis Use is Associated with Decreased Opiate Medication Use in Retrospective Cross- Sectional Survey of Patients with Chronic Pain.” These articles each provided evidence that the patients that use medical marijuana have decreased pain levels and are able to perform their activity levels. Also, showing a drastic decrease in the opioid usage across the country since medical marijuana cards have been issued.

#16-H(ID) The Impact of Holistic and Pharmacological Treatment on Resolution of Chronic Symptoms in Adults with Lyme Disease

mrm9 Nursing – Injury/Disease, Poster

STUDENT: Britney Reinhart

The Impact of Holistic and Pharmacological Treatment on Resolution of Chronic Symptoms in Adults with Lyme Disease Poster

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported each year to the CDC by state health departments in the US (“Data and Surveillance,” 2019). Therefore, the purpose of this literature review is to determine the impact of holistic treatment compared to pharmacological treatment on the resolution of chronic symptoms in adults with Lyme disease. A literature review was conducted in order to obtain the most pertinent and newest information associated with the impact treatment of chronic of Lyme disease. The keywords utilized in the search for articles included: Lyme disease, treatment, chronic symptoms, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and massage. PubMed was the only database that provided specific informative articles on various treatment for Lyme disease. Four articles met the criteria of pertinence and prevalence while showing evidence of the impact of holistic treatment compared to pharmacological treatment on the resolution of chronic symptoms in adults with Lyme disease. Overall, Lyme disease can be a very life-threatening and changing diagnosis with many options to adapt and treat the chronic symptoms that follow this disease. The treatment of Lyme disease through pharmacological or holistic treatment is still being evaluated today.

#15-H(ID) Veterans with PTSD and Insomnia and the Impacts on Mental Illness

mrm9 Nursing – Injury/Disease, Poster

STUDENT: Nathaniel Bradley

Veterans with PTSD and Insomnia and the Impacts on Mental Illness Poster

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Mental illness is a very serious disorder impacting many people in society today, especially veterans. Many contributing factors play into the progression of mental illness. Post traumatic stress disorder and insomnia are two of many factors that can cause mental illness. Within the U.S. population alone there are approximately 18.8 million, which is composed of 7.6 percent living veterans. Every day approximately 20 to 21 veterans commit suicide (The NCSL Blog, 2020). These illnesses may put the body in harm and aid in the progression of mental illness due to chronic stress and factors these two illnesses have. The purpose of this literature review is to look into whether or not PTSD and insomnia may cause mental illness to progress. Penn State Libraries database was used with key words of: PTSD, insomnia, mental illness. It was then narrowed to journal articles within the years 2010-2020. Mental illness is an under looked disease that many people have without knowing such. To be able to understand the significance of PTSD and insomnia and the toll that may cause to the human body may help understand ways to help and improve veterans that deal with these complications on a daily basis.