The Correlation Between Comfort Level and Quality of Life in Female Patients With Urinary Incontinence: Structural Equation Modeling Approach.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop a model to determine the correlation between comfort level and quality of life in women with UI. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, descriptive correlational research design with causal modeling. SUBJECTS AND SETTING: The study was conducted in the urology outpatient clinic of a university hospital in the Central Anatolia region of Turkey. The sample comprised 233 women admitted to the outpatient clinic between December 2017 and May 2018. Participants had a mean age of 52.5 (SD = 13.9) years. METHODS: Data were collected using a researcher-designed Descriptive Characteristics Form, the Incontinence Quality of Life (I-QOL) form, the Urinary Incontinence and Frequency Comfort Questionnaire (UIFCQ), and the Short Form-36 (SF-36). Multivariate correlations were analyzed using structural equation modeling; an AMOS covariance-based structural equation model was developed. RESULTS: The correlational pathway between I-QOL, UIFCQ, and SF-36 was statistically significant. As a result of the confirmed model, I-QOL scores were moderately correlated with SF-36 scores (r = .65, P = .001) and highly correlated with UIFCQ scores (r = .76, P = .001). Mean UIFCQ scores were moderately correlated with SF-36 scores (r = .66, P = .001). The structural equation modeling resulted in a model with a good fit. CONCLUSIONS: The higher the comfort level, the higher the UI-specific and health-related quality of life. Risk factors related to UI should be monitored, and necessary training and counseling should be provided to eliminate this common problem.

Health Care Professionals' Attitudes Toward Patients with Chronic Pain: Scale Development Study.

BACKGROUND: One of the obstacles in chronic pain management is the attitude of healthcare professionals. Although literature reports that the negative attitudes of healthcare professionals such as stigmatizing their patients with chronic pain and applying inadequate treatment cause failure in chronic pain management, there is no scale to measure the attitudes of healthcare professionals towards patients with chronic pain. PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a scale for identifying healthcare professionals' attitudes towards patients with chronic pain. METHOD: We prepared a draft scale in the form of five-point Likert. We applied the draft scale to 379 voluntary healthcare professionals working in two hospitals in 2019. Internal consistency and testretest methods were employed to determine the reliability of the scale. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used for construct validity. FINDINGS: According to the EFA, the scale had two factors explaining 45.68 of the total variant. We labelled the first factor "sensitivity orientation" and the second factor was labelled "misconception orientation". Cronbach Alpha coefficients were 0.88 and 0.75 for the first and second factors respectively. Test-retest method reliability was r = 0.83 in the first factor and r = 0.75 in the second factor. The CFA showed that they were within the limits of acceptable fit values. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found that the scale for healthcare professionals' attitudes towards patients with chronic pain is a valid and reliable tool.

The relationship between emotional labor level and moral distress.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has implications for health professionals. AIM: The aim of this study was to explain the relationship between emotional labor levels and moral distress in health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique. RESEARCH DESIGN: A descriptive and cross-sectional study was adopted. PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT: Data were collected between 7 February and 7 March 2021. 302 health professionals who were not on leave (annual leave, sick leave, prenatal and postnatal leave, etc.) at the time of the research and who volunteered to participate in the research were included. Research data were collected using a "Personal Information Form," the "Emotional Labor Scale" and the "Moral Distress Thermometer." ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: The Ethics Committee approved the study (dated 07.01.2021 and numbered 2021/1-3). The participants were informed of the study aim and written consent was obtained before completing the survey. FINDINGS: In the present study, the mediator role of emotional labor in the effect of providing service to a patient with COVID-19 and having had COVID-19 on moral distress was examined in health professionals and it was found that there was a correlation between providing service to a patient with COVID-19 and moral distress regardless of whether or not emotional labor had a role in this relationship. CONCLUSION: In this study, the relationship between the level of emotional labor and moral distress in health professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic was evaluated with a structural equation model.

Effect of Storytelling Technique on the Attitudes of Nursing Students Toward Death.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of the storytelling technique on the attitudes of nursing students toward death as a mixed research design. The study sample consisted of 94 senior students attending the nursing department of a university in Turkey. Quantitative data were collected by using the introductory characteristics form and the Death Attitude Profile-Revised, while qualitative data were collected through focus group interviews with the semistructured interview form. The data were analyzed according to number, percentage, Wilcoxon test, paired samples ttest, and descriptive analysis method. The mean Death Attitude Profile-Revised Scale score of the students before receiving the relevant education was 4.17 ± 0.21. This score increased to 4.25 ± 0.24 after the students received the education and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p < .05). In the qualitative section of the study, the data obtained from the attitudes of the students toward death were coded, and four themes were determined. The qualitative data obtained from the focus group interviews with the participating students were presented under four themes: the contribution of the storytelling technique to learning, the effect of the storytelling technique on the attitude toward death, thoughts about the storytelling technique, and contribution of the course to knowledge, skills and attitude in giving care to the dying patient. As a result of the study, explaining the subject of death with the storytelling technique was determined to positively affect the attitudes of the students toward death.

The Challenges of Nurses Who Care for COVID-19 Patients: A Qualitative Study.

This study, which had a qualitative research design, was conducted to identify the challenges experienced by nurses who care for patients diagnosed with COVID-19. The nurses providing one-to-one care to patients diagnosed with COVID-19 in various hospitals in Turkey constituted the population of this study. The maximum variation sampling method was used to determine the sample in the research. In the sample selection, the provinces and hospitals were selected by drawing lots. The sample of the study consisted of 15 nurses who worked in different hospitals in different regions of Turkey, performed one-to-one care of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 between March and April 2020, volunteered to participate in the study, and agreed to be interviewed by the researcher. SRQR guidelines were followed in reporting the study. As a result of the study, 7 difficulties, or 7 themes, were identified. These themes include anxiety and fear of being infected, change in the family order, performing patient care with fear, perception of stigma in society, questioning the nurse's place within the health system, difficulty working with personal protective equipment, and physical damage caused by equipment.

Effects of local heat application before intravenous catheter insertion in chemotherapy patients.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To characterise the effects of local heat application on the ease of subsequent intravenous catheter insertion. BACKGROUND: Intravenous catheter insertion is a challenging procedure for both nurses and chemotherapy patients. The local application of heat to the area before intravenous catheter insertion may decrease these difficulties by increasing venous distension and visibility. DESIGN: This study was an open label experimental study involving intervention and control groups. METHODS: Patients receiving chemotherapy were divided into intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups. For patients in the intervention group, a digital moist heating pad was applied to the arm prepared for catheter insertion for 10 minutes in addition to routine care. No additional preparation procedure beyond routine care was performed for control patients. Data were collected using a data collection form and evaluated using chi square, Fisher's exact chi square, Student's t, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon and Pearson correlation tests. RESULTS: Local application of heat decreased patients' pain (p = 0·011), increased the rate of successful catheter placement at first attempt (p = 0·004), decreased the catheterisation procedure time (p = 0·001) and decreased nurse-perceived difficulty during catheter placement (p = 0·001). CONCLUSIONS: Local application of heat before the catheterisation procedure is suggested for patients receiving chemotherapy, particularly in cases where visibility of the veins is poor and intravenous catheter insertion is difficult. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Local application of heat results in vasodilation, and thus intravenous catheter insertion becomes easier. Our findings have important implications for nurses who care for chemotherapy patients. The inclusion of local heat application before catheterisation as a preparation step is suitable to be implemented by nurses in other hospitals and clinics where chemotherapy is provided.

A descriptive study on complementary and alternative medicine use in 0 to 1-year-old infants and nurses' awareness and recommendation for complementary and alternative medicine.

This study aimed to determine complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) recommended by midwives and nurses and used by mothers on their 0 to 1-year-old infants. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The sample of the study consisted of 65 midwives and mothers of 349 infants registered at these health-care centres. The frequency of CAM use on a regular basis by mothers participating in the study on their infants was 24.6%, whereas the frequency of CAM use for a while was 41.3%. Of the mothers using CAM, 81.5-98.5% stated that the method they were employing was useful. The mothers used CAM on their infants, and the midwives and nurses recommended CAM use. However, the midwives and nurses themselves should be first trained to be able to inform individuals/mothers about CAM. Evidence-based studies on CAM are needed.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of the web-based chronic pain management training program developed for nursing students: Triple-blind randomized controlled trial.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based chronic pain management training program developed for nursing students. BACKGROUND: Web-based training is effective in increasing the knowledge and attitude levels of nursing students. In the literature, data on the effectiveness of web-based education on chronic pain management education of nursing students are limited. DESIGN: This was a triple-blind randomized controlled trial conducted between May and June 2022. METHODS: The study was conducted with 66 fourth-year students enrolled in the Nursing Department of a state university in a province of Türkiye.. The students were divided into two groups: intervention (n=33) and control (n=33). A dedicated website was developed for chronic pain management training, incorporating video modules, end-of-video evaluation questions and data collection tests, all of which were made available on this platform. The personal information form, chronic pain management knowledge test, Healthcare Professionals' Attitudes toward Patients with Chronic Pain and Chronic Pain Management Training Program Evaluation Form were the data collection tools. In the implementation phase of the study, the pre-test was first applied to the control group via the website and the post-test was applied two weeks later. After the intervention group completed the pre-test, the intervention group was given web-based chronic pain management training for two weeks and the post-test was applied at the end of the training and the data collection was completed. RESULTS: After web-based training chronic pain management, the chronic pain management knowledge score of the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). The intervention group had significantly higher scores in sensitivity and misconception orientation, sub-dimensions of the attitude scale towards patients with chronic pain, compared with the control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the web-based educational intervention positively increased students' knowledge of chronic pain management and attitudes towards patients with chronic pain. It shows that web-based education is effective in chronic pain management education.

The effect of interactive learning method on nursing students' learning of movement requirement: A randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Interactive learning is one of the active learning methods used to develop students' knowledge and skills. OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to determine the effect of the interactive learning method with questions prepared according to Bloom's taxonomy on nursing students' learning of the need for movement. DESIGN: It is a randomized controlled study conducted in May 2023. PARTICIPANTS: This study was conducted with 134 first-year nursing students taking the Fundamentals of Nursing course. The students were randomly divided into control (n = 67) and experimental (n = 67). METHOD: The data was collected by using a form delineating descriptive characteristics, a test assessing the necessity of movement knowledge, an analysis of a specific case study, and an assessment form for gathering student opinions on interactive learning. The queries within the data collection form were tailored to align with Bloom's taxonomy. Following the theoretical instruction, each student participated in the mobility needs knowledge test and case analysis (pre-test). The instructional session for the control group involved conventional lecture-style teaching supplemented with a question-and-answer format, while the experimental group received instruction through an interactive learning approach. One week subsequent to this, all students retook the mobility needs knowledge test and case analysis (post-test). Subsequently, feedback regarding the interactive learning method was solicited from the students. RESULTS: The knowledge test revealed a statistically significant difference, with the control group exhibiting a higher median comprehension score in the post-test compared to the experimental group (p < 0.05). Regarding the case analysis, statistical analysis demonstrated that the experimental group surpassed the control group in median scores for comprehension, synthesis, and total scores, with a significant difference (p < 0.05). Additionally, most students expressed favorable opinions toward the interactive learning approach. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that studies on interactive learning be repeated in different subjects in nursing education. CLINICALTRIALS: gov ID:NCT05868278.

Validity and reliability study in undergraduate healthcare students towards the solution of a neglected problem in working life: Attitude scale towards patients with chronic pain.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is the type of pain that healthcare professionals frequently encounter. Health care students' attitudes towards pain management are not sufficient and this negatively affects their chronic pain management. When students cannot manage the chronic pain they will experience professional burnout, depersonalization, and a decrease in compassion and empathy in patient care. Therefore, the first step in improving health care students' attitudes towards patients with chronic pain is to determine their attitudes. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to test the validity and reliability of the Scale for Healthcare Professionals' Attitudes towards Patients with Chronic Pain (HCPAPCP Scale) in healthcare students. METHOD: This quantitative study was conducted with 205 health care students in January-February 2022. Data were collected online with Personal Information Form and the HCPAPCP Scale. To determine the reliability of the scale, internal consistency and test-retest, and for construct validity, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed. RESULTS: The results of the exploratory factor analysis showed that the two-factor scale consisting of 18 items, the factor structure, and the distribution of factors in items were the same as the findings of the original scale. The Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was 0.88 for the first factor and 0.74 for the second factor. Test-retest reliability was 0.60. In confirmatory factor analysis, the model had a good and acceptable fit. CONCLUSION: We found that the HCPAPCP Scale was valid and reliable in healthcare students.

The effect of simulation on auscultation skills, self-confidence and anxiety levels in nursing students: A randomized controlled trial.

AIM: This study evaluated the effect of simulation on auscultation skills, self-confidence and anxiety levels. BACKGROUND: Auscultation is an essential topic in nursing education and patient care. Simulation is efficacious in improving auscultation skills and self-confidence and reducing anxiety levels. It is a valuable educational approach whose effects should be evaluated and disseminated in the context of auscultation. DESIGN: This study had a randomised controlled trial design. METHODS: The study was conducted with second-year nursing students enrolled at a university in Turkey. One group of students studied auscultation of heart, lung and bowel sounds with a simulated patient (n = 28), the second group with a high fidelity simulator (n = 30) and the third group with traditional education (n = 28). Data were collected using a demographic information form, auscultation control list and Nursing Anxiety and Self-Confidence with Clinical Decision Making Scale. The students' psychomotor auscultation skills, self-confidence and anxiety levels were evaluated. Data on auscultation skills were assessed after the intervention, while data on self-confidence and anxiety levels were collected at baseline, after the intervention and after clinical practices throughout the academic year. RESULTS: Anxiety and self-confidence levels showed statistically significant differences in intragroup evaluation. The self-confidence levels of the groups working with simulation did not change much in the follow-up test conducted after the end of clinical practices. The mean skill scores in the auscultation control list showed a statistically significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation and traditional approaches are effective in learning auscultation skills. However, the positive effects of simulation, particularly in enhancing students' self-confidence and reducing anxiety levels, appear to be more permanent and impactful than traditional education. Therefore, it is recommended that simulation be prioritized for teaching auscultation skills.

The impact of a web-based mind map learning technique on students' nursing knowledge of the nursing process.

OBJECTIVE: This research aims to investigate the effects of web-based mind map learning techniques in the nursing process on students' ability to investigate the nursing diagnosis, descriptive characteristics, and the etiological and risk factors. DESIGN: In this experimental study, 91 nursing students enrolled in a state university in a city in Turkey in the 2020-2021 academic year were included. METHODS: Data were collected using a test for determining the level of knowledge about the nursing diagnosis and the factors affecting the diagnosis, case sample, and care plan. In the teaching of the nursing process, the experimental group students (n = 42) experienced the web-based mind map learning technique, while the control group students (n = 49) experienced the lecture and question-answer teaching methods. FINDINGS: The mean scores of the experimental group in terms of reaching the nursing diagnosis, descriptive characteristics, and the etiological and risk factors were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). The findings showed that the experimental group scored significantly higher than the control group in making accurate diagnoses (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The web-based mind map learning technique used in teaching the nursing process favorably affected the students' ability to determine the nursing diagnosis, descriptive characteristics, and etiological and risk factors. The findings suggest that the web-based mind map learning technique should be used in teaching the nursing process. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Active learning in nursing process teaching should be promoted using different teaching techniques. Teaching the nursing process with different teaching techniques has the potential to to increase the knowledge and skills of students and thus improve the quality of nursing care.

The effects of virtual gaming simulation on nursing students' diagnosis, goal setting, and diagnosis prioritization: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Virtual gaming simulation is a 2D computer game used to enhance the knowledge and skills of nursing students. OBJECTIVES: This research was conducted to investigate the effects of virtual gaming simulation on the nursing diagnosis, goal setting and diagnosis prioritization of first-year nursing students. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial conducted between March and April 2022. PARTICIPANTS: In this study, 102 first-year nursing students registered in Fundamentals of Nursing-II were included. The students were divided at random into two groups: control (n = 51) and intervention (n = 51). METHOD: Data were collected using the descriptive characteristics form, nursing diagnosis, goal setting, diagnosis prioritization form, virtual evaluation simulation and virtual gaming simulation evaluation form. Didactic training in the nursing process was provided to all students in the classroom simultaneously. The day following the didactic training, the training scenario was explained to the control group in the classroom. On the same day, a simulation of the virtual training scenario developed for the intervention group was played in the computer lab. One week later, the control group completed the nursing diagnosis, goal setting and diagnosis prioritization form prepared for the evaluation scenario in the classroom and the intervention group played the virtual evaluation simulation that was developed based on the same case on the same day in the computer lab. Then, students' opinions regarding virtual gaming simulation were obtained. RESULTS: The findings showed that the mean scores of nursing diagnosis and goal-setting knowledge of the intervention group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference between the groups regarding the mean scores of diagnosis prioritization knowledge (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Virtual gaming simulation increased the mean scores of nursing diagnosis and goal-setting knowledge of the students. Most of the students stated positive statements related to virtual gaming simulations.

The effect of virtual game simulation on students' perception of nursing diagnosis and clinical practice: Post-test only randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The virtual game simulation was prepared for nursing diagnosis and goal setting. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of virtual game simulation on nursing students' perception of nursing diagnosis and clinical practice. DESIGN: This study is a post-test randomized controlled trial only. METHODS: The study was conducted with 92 s-year students enrolled in the Nursing Department of a state university in a province of Turkey. Data were collected using the Descriptive Characteristics Form, Perceptions of Nursing Diagnoses Survey, and the Form for Evaluating the Effect of Virtual Game Simulation on Clinical Practice. Virtual game simulations, which are prepared for determining nursing diagnosis and creating goals, are offered to the use of first-year students after the theoretical education of the nursing process. In order to evaluate the effect of virtual game simulations on the perception of nursing diagnosis and clinical practice, second-year students who played the game voluntarily were included in the experimental group, and those who did not play were included in the control group. Students in the control (n = 46) and experimental (n = 46) groups completed the data collection tools prepared online via Google Forms. The relationship between the grouped variants was tested by Chi-Square (χ2) analysis. Mann-Whitney U-test was used because the data did not show normal distribution. RESULTS: It was found that the mean score of the control group was significantly higher than the experimental group in the sub-dimension of the delineation and promotion of the nursing profession and in the total score of the Perceptions of Nursing Diagnoses Survey (PNDS) (p < 0.05). The students in the experimental group made positive statements about the effect of the virtual game simulation on clinical practice, such as, "I can determine nursing diagnoses correctly", "I can create the right target for the patient", and "I understand how to record the data I collect from the patient". The negative statements of the students were as follows: "I have difficulty in collecting data from the patient", "I have difficulty in interviewing the patient" and "I cannot be sure that I have determined all the nursing diagnoses for my patient". CONCLUSIONS: Virtual game simulation was found to be effective in students' perception of nursing diagnosis. It was noted that most of the students expressed positive views regarding the impact of virtual game simulations on clinical practice. It is recommended to use virtual game simulation to support formal education in teaching the nursing process.

The effect of flipped learning on blood pressure knowledge and self-directed learning skills of first-year nursing students: A randomized controlled trial.

AIM: This study investigated the effect of flipped learning on first-year nursing students' blood pressure knowledge levels and self-directed learning skills. BACKGROUND: Flipped learning is an innovative approach that helps nursing students learn about blood pressure and how to measure how to measure blood pressure accurately. Flipped learning also promotes active and student-centered learning settings and encourages nursing students to develop self-directed skills. DESIGN: This study adopted a pretest-posttest open-label randomized controlled trial. METHOD: The sample consisted of 94 first-year nursing students randomized into experimental (n = 48) and control groups (n = 46). The experimental group participants were trained using the flipped learning model. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Blood Pressure Knowledge Test (BPKT) and the Self-Directed Learning Skills Scale (SDLSS). RESULTS: There was no significant difference in pretest BPKT scores between the experimental and control groups. However, there was a significant difference in posttest BPKT scores between the experimental and control groups (p = 0.011). Moreover, there was a significant difference between the experimental group's mean pretest, posttest and follow-up SDLSS scores (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: The experimental group had a significantly higher mean posttest BPKT score than the pretest score. They had significantly higher mean posttest SDLSS total and "self-monitoring," "motivation," and "self-confidence" subscale scores than the pretest score.

Gluteal muscle and subcutaneous tissue thicknesses in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Nurses often administer intramuscular injections at the gluteal site. This study aimed to determine gluteal muscle and subcutaneous tissue thicknesses in adults. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis. The databases Turkish Medline, Ulakbim, National Thesis Center, Cochrane, Web of Science, Science Direct, PubMed, CINAHL Plus with Full text (EBSCO host), OVID and SCOPUS were screened using the keywords 'intramuscular injection', 'subcutaneous tissue thickness', 'muscle tissue thickness' and 'needle length' between April and May 2021. The studies were evaluated with ultrasound. This study was reported according to the PRISMA recommendations. Results: Six studies met the eligibility criteria. The total sample size was 734 (women: 432, men: 302). The V method revealed that the ventrogluteal site had a muscle and subcutaneous tissue thickness of 38.071 ± 2.119 and 19.927 ± 2.493 mm, respectively. The geometric method revealed that the ventrogluteal site had a muscle and subcutaneous tissue thickness of 35.989 ± 4.190 and 19.661 ± 3.992 mm, respectively. The geometric method also revealed that the dorsogluteal site had a thickness of 42.560 ± 8.840 mm. According to the V method, females had thicker subcutaneous tissue at the ventrogluteal site than males (Q = 5.37, df = 1, p = 0.0204). Body mass index did not affect the subcutaneous tissue thicknesses at the ventrogluteal site. Conclusion: The results show that gluteal muscle, subcutaneous and total tissue thicknesses vary across injection sites.

Effect of a Vein Imaging Device and of Fist Clenching on Determination of an Appropriate Vein and on Catheter Placement Time in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: As the vein structure gets damaged in patients receiving chemotherapy treatment, placement of peripheral intravenous catheter becomes difficult. To increase the success of peripheral intravenous catheter placement, a vein imaging device and fist clenching can be used. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of using a vein imaging device or fist clenching on the determination of an appropriate vein and successful catheter placement time in adult patients receiving chemotherapy. METHODS: One hundred thirty-five patients receiving chemotherapy were randomly assigned to either the vascular imaging device group (n = 45), the fist clenching group (n = 45), or the control group (n = 45). In the vascular imaging group, a vascular imaging device was used to determine the appropriate vein; in the fist clenching group, the patients were asked to open and close their palms to determine the appropriate vein; and in the control group, no interventions except for the process steps were applied and the same nurse carried out the catheter insertion. RESULTS: The durations of determining the appropriate vein and successful peripheral intravenous catheter insertion were shorter in the device group at a significant level (P < .05) compared with the control group. The satisfaction levels of the patients and the nurse were higher in the device group at a significant level (P < .05) compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: The vascular imaging device was effective in determining the proper vein and in successful intravenous catheter insertion time in patients who were receiving chemotherapy. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The use of vein imaging device will have positive results for patients and nurses.

Effect of Acupressure and Abdominal Massage on Constipation in Patients with Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Study.

This study was a randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of acupressure and abdominal massage on constipation development for patients with TKA. The patients were randomly assigned to each group: control group (n = 31), acupressure group (n = 30), and abdominal massage group (n = 30). The finding showed that the severity of constipation and straining stool consistency of the groups in which acupressure and abdominal massage was applied are significantly better than the control group (p < .05). When the first defecation times of the groups are analyzed, it is seen that the patients to whom acupressure and abdominal massage are applied defecate significantly earlier than the control group (p < .05). It has been concluded that safe non-invasive acupressure and abdominal massage that can be easily applied by health professions, healthy individuals, and patients is effective on patients with total knee arthroplasty for the prevention of constipation.

Effect of Fist Clenching on Vein Visibility and Palpability: An Observational Descriptive Study.

No information exists on the minimum number of times that fist clenching should be performed to increase vein visibility and palpability. In this study, the researchers aimed to determine the average number and duration of fist clenching to increase vein visibility and palpability before peripheral intravenous catheter insertion. This observational study included 207 healthy individuals. Participants meeting the inclusion criteria were asked to perform fist clenching. The number and duration of fist clenches performed to increase dorsal metacarpal vein and cephalic vein grade were determined. The participants carried out fist clenching 7.57 ± 4.26 times for the first increase and 22.16 ± 7.93 times for the second increase in dorsal metacarpal vein grade. Fist clenching was carried out 10.05 ± 7.30 times for the first increase and 21.30 ± 7.86 times for the second increase in cephalic vein visibility. A statistically significant, weak, but positive relationship was observed between the duration of fist clenching and the change in dorsal metacarpal vein grade and anxiety level ( r = 0.194, P < .005). However, the relationship was negative between room temperature and the duration of fist clenching in dorsal metacarpal vein grade ( r = -0.207, P = .003). This inexpensive and simple technique should be performed in specified numbers before catheter insertion.

The Effect of Preoperative Video Based Pain Training on Postoperative Pain and Analgesic Use in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Non-randomized Control Group Intervention Study.

This non-randomized control group intervention study was conducted to determine the effect of preoperative video based pain training on postoperative pain and analgesic use in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. During the study, the patients in the control (n = 40) received routine care and the patients in the intervention group (n = 40) received video based pain training. It was determined that the mean postoperative pain scores of the intervention group were significantly lower and their pain management was better compared to the control group (p < .05). The intervention group was found to use significantly less paracetamol on operation day compared to the control group (p < .05). The intervention group was determined to benefit from non-pharmacological methods more than the control group did (p < .05). Providing video based pain training to patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty is recommended since it reduces postoperative pain levels and increases the use of non-pharmacological pain control methods.