The Determination of Patient Learning Needs After Day Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the care perception and learning needs of patients undergoing day surgery. DESIGN: A descriptive and cross-sectional model was used. METHODS: The study was conducted with 234 patients who underwent day surgery in a general surgery clinic of a university hospital. Data were collected using a sociodemographic characteristics form, the Patient Perception of Hospital Experience with Nursing Scale (PPHEN) and the Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS). FINDINGS: The PPHEN mean score was 67.99 ± 11.98 and the PLNS total score was 211.15 ± 38.49. The subscales showed that the highest scores were 38.47 ± 6.93 for activities of life, while the lowest score was 20.60 ± 4.23 for feelings related to condition. There was a statistically significant negative correlation in the PPHEN and PLNS subscales in terms of medications, activities of living, treatment, and complications. There was no statistically significant relationship between the demographic data of the patients (age, gender, and educational status). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that patients had high information needs and greater concerns, particularly about "activities of life." Nurses should be aware of the importance of identifying high learning needs to increase the level of satisfaction with nursing care in day surgery patients.

Translation and validation of the ELPO for Turkish population: Risk assessment scale for the development of pressure injuries due to surgical positioning.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was conducted to translate the ELPO risk assessment scale for the development of pressure injuries due to surgical positioning to Turkish and to test its validity and reliability in the Turkish Population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data were collected using the patient identification form, the risk assessment scale for the prevention of injuries due to surgical positioning, and the Braden Scale. This scale consisted of a total of seven items, each of which contained five sub-items. It is rated between 1 and 5 in the Likert type. The total score of the scale ranges between 7 and 35. The risk of developing pressure injuries increases in patients as the score increases. RESULTS: A total of 184 patients were included in the study sample. The mean age of the group was 55.96 ± 17.90, and the content validity index was 0.944. The sensitivity of the test was 60%, the specificity was 66%, and the accuracy was 66%. There was a negative, weak, statistically significant correlation between the total scores of the risk assessment scale for the prevention of injuries due to surgical positioning and the Braden scale. The mean total score of the scale was 18.45 ± 2.96 (12-26) and 35.9% (n = 66) of the group were at high risk. CONCLUSIONS: The ELPO, which includes the risks specific to patients during surgery, can be used as an assessment scale for the development of pressure injury due to surgical positioning for Turkish population.

Assessment of the risk of pressure ulcer during the perioperative period: Adaptation of the Munro scale to Turkish.

AIM OF THE STUDY: This study was conducted to adapt the Munro Pressure Ulcer Risk Assessment Scale (Munro Scale) to Turkish and to test its validity and reliability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the methodological study, the data were collected using the patient identification form, the Braden Scale, and the Munro Scale. A total of 188 patients were diagnosed for the risk of preoperative and intraoperative pressure ulcer, and then re-evaluated in the recovery room and in their bed. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 81 (43.1%) males and 107 (56.9%) females with a mean age of 51.98 ± 16.87. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin sampling adequacy test was 0.588 and the Bartlett's test was 430.471. The results of goodness of fit indices were not as expected value in the confirmatory factor analysis. In the exploratory factor analysis, it was determined that the factor loadings of the Munro Scale varied between 0.336 and 0.873 and explained 62% of the total variance. In the parallel-form method performed for the reliability of the scale, it was observed that there was a weak and negative correlation between the total scores of the Munro Scale and Braden Scales before the surgery and a negative and moderate correlation between the total scores after the surgery. The total Cronbach's alpha value was found to be 0.504. In the reliability analysis of the scale, interrater correlation coefficients were found to be 0.865-0.998. CONCLUSIONS: The Munro Scale can be used to assess the risk of pressure injuries in perioperative patients and may help nurses to identify high-risk patients.

Cultural Beliefs of Turkish Women for Breast Cancer and Screening.

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is an important health problem and early diagnosis is important in its treatment. Women's approach and cultural beliefs are effective in ensuring early diagnosis. This study examined psychometric properties of the Ferrans Cultural Beliefs Scale and assessed cultural beliefs on breast cancer and screening programs among Turkish women. METHOD: The study was performed in a descriptive and cross-sectional design with 420 women using the Ferrans Cultural Beliefs Scale that is considered reliable and valid in Turkey. RESULTS: The mean total score of the Ferrans Cultural Beliefs Scale was 3.24 ± 3.16. The highest "yes" responses were for the statement "If breast cancer is treated correctly, it can be cured" (n = 387, 92.1%). DISCUSSION: This study, which is the first in Turkey, highlights the importance of measuring the effects of Turkish healthy women's cultural beliefs in breast cancer and screening for early diagnosis. Determining women's cultural beliefs will make known the attitudes and behaviors toward breast cancer, so that the nurse will provide sensitive and effective nursing care, develop nursing knowledge, and integrate this knowledge with clinical practice.

Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Quality of Life After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate healthy lifestyle behaviors and the quality of life of obese individuals in 3-12 months after sleeve gastrectomy. The study is a descriptive design and was conducted at the obesity surgery outpatient clinic of a government hospital between May and December 2017. The study sample included 172 patients agreeing to participate. Data were gathered with a questionnaire composed of questions about sociodemographic features, the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II), and the WHO Quality of Life BREF-TR (WHOQOL-BREF-TR). The total HPLP II score was above average; participants had the highest and lowest scores for the subscales spiritual growth and physical activity, respectively. The total score for the WHOQOL-BREF-TR was above average. The highest and lowest scores were obtained for the subscales psychological health and social relations, respectively. There was a significant correlation between the scores for HPLP II and its subscales and the scores for WHOQOL-BREF-TR. Promotion of health and a healthy lifestyle need to be an integral part of health services provided for patients after sleeve gastrectomy.

Awareness of health sciences students about colorectal cancer risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: This descriptive study was conducted in order to determine the risk factors, symptoms and awareness of health sciences students with regards to colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: This study included 1,028 health science students from two different universities. Data for this study were collected via a questionnaire form that included questions about CRC risk factors, protective approaches and symptoms. Frequencies, percentages and averages of the data were assessed with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: The most frequent risk factors of the students (mean age: 21.25 years) were smoking (90.5%), excessive alcohol consumption (87.4%), family history of cancer (84.2%) and obesity (82.6%), while the most common protective approaches were smoking cessation, avoiding alcohol, regular physical activity and a low-fat diet. There was a significant difference in the CRC awareness of students in terms of gender, the department and grade level at which they were studying, and having a family history of cancer. CONCLUSION: Results of this study revealed that students had a sufficient awareness about risk factors and what they could do to diminish their risk, but their knowledge about CRC symptoms was less than expected. We believe that health sciences students should be given more education on CRC symptoms.

Anxiety and pain in surgically treated breast cancer patients.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of anxiety and pain in women with breast cancer. Patients who had been treated with modified radical mastectomy or breast conserving surgery were included. Data were gathered using the state-trait anxiety inventory and the visual analog scale. The pain levels and analgesic consumption of the patients were evaluated after surgery. The study sample consisted of 150 women. The mean age of the participants was 50.54±10.02. Most of the patients (58%) received breast conserving surgery. The mean state anxiety score was 44.74±11.91, and the mean trait anxiety score was 48.78±9.48 before surgery. The mean pain level on the first day following surgery was 3.26±1.91 and analgesic consumption was 2.98±1.08. There was no correlation between patient pain and anxiety levels. There was very slightly positive correlation between trait anxiety and total analgesic consumption. Assessing the levels of anxiety in breast cancer patients before surgery may contribute to the determination of postoperative pain.

Quality of life in women with breast cancer and the use of complementary and alternative medicine.

The aim of this study was to evaluate quality of life and complementary and alternative medicine use among patients with breast cancer in Turkey. The sample consists of women who had modified undergone radical mastectomy or breast conserving surgery. Data were collected using a questionnaire addressing personal/medical characteristics use of complementary and alternative medicine and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to measure quality of life. A majority of subjects underwent modified radical mastectomy procedures. The social and physical mean scores were the highest and role physical and role emotional mean score were the lowest. The most common complementary and alternative methods were praying, exercise, and herbs use. In conclusion, women with breast cancer have a moderate level of quality of life, and that they use complementary and alternative methods widely.

Breast, cervix and colorectal cancer knowledge among nurses in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in Turkey. Nurses are essential providers of preventive care for patients, especially breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening as part of routine preventive practice. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge of these cancers among nurses in Karabuk State Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed from April 1 to July 30, 2013. The study sample consisted of 226 nurses working in Karabuk State Hospital. RESULTS: Mean age of the nurses was 32.07 ± 8.39. 62.4% of nurses practiced breast self examination when they remembered it, while 39.8% of them did not take a Pap smear test since they did not think it was necessary. 64.2% of nurses would like to receive information about cancer and screening tests. Majority of them had given true answers to questions on breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. There were significant relationships between cancer knowledge scores and marital status, working experience, and level of education. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses possess adequate knowledge about breast cancer but they need more information on cancer risk estimation. Awareness may be raised in nurses by establishing continuing education programs regarding the risk factors, symptoms, protection methods, early diagnosis, and scanning of breast, cervix and colon cancers.

Trace elements in nasal polyps.

The aim of our study is to evaluate the status of selenium and zinc in nasal polyp tissues and to investigate the possible role of trace elements and antioxidants including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in nasal polyps. In this study, the antioxidant enzyme and trace element levels measured in polyp tissues of 37 patients were compared with the levels measured in conchal mucosa of 27 control cases. The antioxidant enzyme and trace element levels in tissues were measured with graphite and flame spectrophotometry methods using Shimatsu UV.1601 spectrophotometer and Perkin Elmer atomic spectrometer. The mean tissue zinc and selenium levels were, respectively, 2.55 µg/g and 30.03 pg/g in patient group, 4.37 µg/g and 44.95 pg/g in control group. The mean tissue SOD and GSH-Px levels were, respectively, 4.27 and 0.69 U/mg protein in patient group, 7.09 and 0.77 U/mg protein in control group. When the measured levels in patients and control cases were compared, there were statistically significant differences between zinc, selenium, and SOD levels (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference between GSH-Px levels (P = 0.465). In conclusion, it has been revealed that the levels of zinc, selenium, and SOD in nasal polyps were significantly lower, and it may be concluded that this may have a role in the development of nasal polyps.

What Turkish nurses know and do about skin cancer and sun protective behavior.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is a global health problem that can be prevented by protective behavior promoted by nurses. In Turkey, only few studies have examined current knowledge of nurses related to skin cancer and to reveal their attitudes towards sun exposure and current protective behavior. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed from March 11 to May 30, 2013 with a study sample of 310 nurses working in two state hospitals located in Karabuk and Safranbolu. RESULTS: Mean age of the nurses was 30.3±6.89 years and 96.1% of them had graduated with a Bachelor degree. The participants were predominantly female (n=284). Knowledge level about skin cancer was significantly higher for females compared to males. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses do not have sufficient knowledge about skin cancer and are not adequately protecting themselves from ultraviolet light, the primary risk factor for skin cancer. While they demonstrated a responsible attitude towards avoiding sunburn and the need for adequate sun protection, they do not fully appreciate the extent to which the sun can cause skin cancer and that they lack full understanding about the need to protect the skin from burning and to avoid long term sun exposure in Turkey.

Auricular angioleiomyoma: a case report.

Angioleiomyoma (vascular leiomyoma or angiomyoma) is a rare, benign smooth muscle tumor that originates in the tunica media of blood vessels. These tumors may be found anywhere in the body. They usually occur in the lower extremity. Auricular angioleiomyoma is very rare, and only a few cases have been reported. We describe here a 38-year-old male patient with angioleiomyoma on the left auricular helix.