The Effects of Active Warming on Core Body Temperature and Thermal Comfort in Patients After Transurethral Resection of the Prostate: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Prevention and treatment of hypothermia by active warming in perioperative period care is recommended but scientific evidence of its effectiveness in a clinical setting is scarce. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of warmed intravenous fluids (WIVF) on the core body temperature and the patients' thermal comfort. Baseline data of 105 male patients undergoing TUR-P surgery and bladder irrigation were analyzed. The experimental group was warmed using active WIVF, and the control group's routine care was conducted using a cotton blanket. Body temperature was higher in patients in the experimental group than those in the control group. Repeated measures Manova revealed significantly different core temperature changes between groups (F = 34.446, p = .001). The thermal comfort scores were also higher in the experimental group than in the control group (x2 = 203.552, p = .001). The findings indicated that WIVF can enhance body temperature and improve the thermal comfort of patients.

Evaluation of Efficacy of Valsalva Maneuver During Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation on Pain.

BACKGROUND: AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the Valsalva maneuver during peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion on procedure-related pain. DESIGN: This work was a prospective randomized controlled study. SETTINGS: Study was conducted in the orthopedics clinic of a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS/SUBJECTS: METHODS: The sample of patients (N = 110) was allocated to the Valsalva maneuver group (n = 55) and control group (n = 55) by using blocked randomization to reduce bias and achieve balance according to age and gender. Pain was evaluated by using Numerical Rating Scale. Systolic/diastolic blood pressure and heart rate before and after the PIVC placement was recorded. RESULTS: The patients in the intervention group had less severe pain during the PIVC insertion than the patients in the control group (p ˂ .001). After PIVC placement, systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced in both groups (p = .008), no other variables changed significantly. No clinical complication related to the Valsalva maneuver occurred in the intervention group. CONCLUSION: Valsalva maneuver can be used as a non-pharmacologic method to reduce pain during PIVC placement.

Does the use of infrared technology (AccuVein AV-500®) for Peripheral Intravenous Cannulation (PIVC) increase the success rate in nursing students? A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: PIVC is one of the essential procedures of modern medicine, and is one of the most widely used and important treatments in the clinical setting. Nevertheless, it is one of the most difficult skills to teach in nursing education, and it is the skill which causes the most anxiety in nursing students. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of the teaching method using infrared technology on PIVC success, duration, and the level of psychomotor skills and knowledge in the acquisition of PIVC skills in nursing students. METHODS: This was a pre-test post-test randomized experimental study with a control group. The research was conducted in the Skills and Simulation Laboratory of a Nursing Faculty of a university between December 2019 and February 2020 to examine the effects of teaching PIVC measurement via infrared light on students' success rate. A theory lesson on PIVC followed 15 days later by laboratory practical was carried out with all of the students included in the study. The PIVC Knowledge Evaluation Form as a pre-test. The researchers completed the PIVC Skills Performance Test from observation during the application of the checklist. Immediately after the procedure, the PIVC Knowledge Evaluation Form was applied as a post-test. RESULTS: The procedure success rate of the experimental group was 90%, and that of the control group was 46%. Comparing PIVC skill scores between the groups, the difference was found to be statistically significant (Z = -2.741; p < 0.05). The groups' PIVC knowledge levels increased in a similar way. CONCLUSION: Teaching with infrared technology contributes more to students' success in PIVC skills than does standard teaching. Both methods were effective in developing knowledge of PIVC.

The effects of different positions on saturation and vital signs in patients.

BACKGROUND: Patient positioning is an independent nursing intervention and may increase peripheral oxygenation for patients with lung disease. Few studies have been conducted on the effect of body positions on oxygenation in patients with lung disease. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of five different positions on peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2 ) and vital signs in patients with lung disease. DESIGN: A semi-experimental study was conducted. METHODS: Consecutive samples were recorded from critical care patients followed in the chest clinic of a university hospital. A total of 109 patients with lung disease were recruited. Patients who were able to lie in all positions, and who had unilateral or bilateral lung disease documented by a medical diagnosis by a physician were included in this study. The SpO2 and vital signs were measured at each position three times. RESULTS: For patients with right, left, and bilateral lung disease, lying on the right side of the body at 45 in bed, the SpO2 was higher, but this difference was not statistically significant. There was a significant difference at 40 minutes between the pulse rate in patients with left and bilateral lung disease, but not in patients with right lung disease. No significant differences were found between respiratory rates and body temperature in patients in any of the three groups at 10, 25, and 40 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Although this difference was not statistically significant, lying on the right side of the body at 45 in bed can be an effective position for improving oxygenation in all patients with lung disease. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: As there is insufficient evidence to suggest a specific position, further studies are needed. This study provides evidence that the best oxygenation in patients with unilateral and bilateral lung disease can be obtained by determining the appropriate position for critical care nurses.

The Effect of Cold Vapor and Ice Cube Absorption in the Early Postoperative Period on Sore Throat and Hoarseness Induced by Intubation.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effect of cold vapor and ice cube absorption in the early postoperative period on sore throat and hoarseness induced by intubation. DESIGN: This is a randomized controlled experimental study. METHODS: Four groups (n = 30) were involved in the study: cold vapor application (group 1), ice cube absorption (group 2), ice cube absorption along with cold vapor application (group 3), and a control group (group 4). The sample consisted of 120 participants. The data were collected using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Stout's hoarseness scale postextubation (zeroth hour) and at the second, sixth, and 24th hours. FINDINGS: After the interventions, the mean VAS scores for sore throat at the sixth postoperative hour were found to be 1.50 ± 1.71, 1.16 ± 1.08, and 1.30 ± 1.62 in group 1, group 2, and group 3, respectively. The mean VAS score for sore throat of group 4 was found to be 3.70 ± 1.89. The decrease in the VAS score for the sixth postoperative hour was ranked from highest to lowest as follows: ice cube absorption group, ice cube absorption along with cold vapor application group, and cold vapor application group. There was no significant difference between application groups in terms of mean VAS scores; however, it was found that mean VAS scores of all application groups were lower than that of control group, and there was a significant difference between them (P < .05). We found that at the sixth postoperative hour after intervention, 33.3% of group 1, 36.7% of group 2, 30% of group 3, and 46.7% of group 4 had hoarseness. No significant difference was found between groups, in terms of hoarseness scores of patients in the sixth postoperative hour after intervention (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Cold vapor application, ice cube absorption, and ice cube absorption along with cold vapor application were effective in reducing sore throat but were ineffective as treatment for hoarseness.

Adaptation of the Turkish version of Nurses' Self Concept Questionnaire.

OBJECTIVES: Nurse's self-concept is significant for professionalism. We aimed to determine the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of a Nurses' Self Concept Questionnaire. METHODS: A methodological study was conducted with the participation of a group of nursing students and nurses. For the statistical analysis, structural equation models, convergent validity analyses, discriminate validity analyses, internal consistency analysis, and test-retest reliability analyses were used. RESULTS: Correlation-coefficient for the test-retest reliability of the Turkish version of Nurses' Self-Concept Questionnaire was 0.87. The internal consistency of this questionnaire was calculated with Cronbach's α coefficient and it was found high across the six subscales from 0.83 to 0.91. The goodness of fit indices was determined as acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: According to results, this Nurses' Self-Concept Questionnaire is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing nurses' and nursing students' self-concept in Turkey.

Development of a New Incontinence Containment Product and an Investigation of Its Effect on Perineal Dermatitis in Patients With Fecal Incontinence: A Pilot Study in Women.

Research related to the design and development of new incontinence containment products for women is scarce. PURPOSE: The purpose of this 2-part study was to 1) develop a new incontinence containment product for fecal incontinence and 2) examine the effect of this new product on the occurrence of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD). METHODS: In part 1, a new incontinence containment product was designed, developed, and trialed among 10 healthy female volunteers. The product was comprised of a double layer of polypropylene nonwoven fabric and 100% cotton interlock fabric with a 3-ply 100% cotton interlock fabric added into the perianal section. Participants wore the product for 8 hours and were asked to defecate into the product and evaluate its comfort, ability to contain liquids and protect privacy, any personal allergic reaction, and air permeability. In part 2, after any product modifications, 12 bedridden women treated in the neurology unit of a hospital in western Turkey who had an indwelling urinary catheter and fecal incontinence and who did not have diabetes mellitus, a darkly pigmented area in the perianal area, pressure injury, or erythema were randomized to 2 groups (study product and control, a premium adult diaper) and monitored for 8 days for the development and severity of perineal dermatitis (scored from 0 [no erythema] to 4 [broken, abraded skin]) using a skin assessment tool. Any type of erythema was considered IAD. Skin care (cleansing with a washcloth and water) was provided daily and after each defecation to all study participants. Data were collected via paper-and-pencil completion of the perineal skin integrity assessment and patient observation forms and entered into and analyzed by a computerized statistical program. Fisher's exact test and the chi-squared test were used to analyze the difference in IAD incidence and severity between the 2 groups, and the Mann Whitney U test was used to detect differences in the number and consistency of defecations. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were noted among the characteristics of the 12 participants (6 in each group) except for age; patients in the study product group were significantly older (70.66 ± 10.36 vs 52.20 ± 16.78 years; P <.05. Four (4) patients in the study group exhibited 13 areas of perineal dermatitis (degree 1 = 6 areas; degree 2 = 6 areas; degree 3 = 1 area; and degree 4 = 0); 1 patient in the control group had 4 areas with degree 1. CONCLUSION: This prototype product is not sufficient to be used in clinical practice in patients with fecal incontinence, but further study in a larger population is warranted..

The Effect of the Z-Track Technique on Pain and Drug Leakage in Intramuscular Injections.

PURPOSE/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the Z-track technique in the administration of intramuscular diclofenac, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, on pain and drug leakage. DESIGN: This is a semiexperimental and randomized controlled study. METHODS: It was felt necessary to conduct this study to compare the effects on pain and drug leakage of the standard intramuscular injection method and the "Z-track technique," which is claimed to be helpful in this regard. The study was conducted in a government hospital in the Marmara region of Turkey. The research sample consisted of 60 patients, 26 female and 34 male, whose ages varied from 18 to 65 years. Sixty patients were randomly divided into 2 equal groups-the experimental group and the control group. The Z-track technique was used for intramuscular injection with the experimental group, whereas, with the control group, the standard technique of intramuscular injection was used. The patients of both groups were injected with 3-mL diclofenac sodium as prescribed by their doctor. Immediately after the procedure was finished and the needle was withdrawn, a different researcher used a 7 × 7-cm pre-prepared and sterilized standard drying paper to press on the needle entry point. The diameter of leakage was measured with a millimetric ruler and recorded on a data collection form. During this procedure, another nurse who was blind to the injection technique assessed the pain felt during the injection by means of the Visual Analog Scale. RESULTS: In the experimental group, mean pain severity was found to be 28.30 ± 23.0, and mean drug leakage was 6.93 ± 4.62 mm, whereas, in the control group, these values were 36.40 ± 28.40 and 10.03 ± 3.69 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Drug leakage was reduced when administering intramuscular diclofenac sodium by the Z technique, but pain severity was not significantly reduced.

Effects of Reflexology on Pain in Patients With Fibromyalgia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of reflexology on pain intensity in patients with fibromyalgia, using an experimental repeated-measures design, and a convenience sample of 30 fibromyalgia inpatients. Thirty patients aged 18 to 70 years with fibromyalgia and hospitalized in the algology clinic were taken as a convenience sample. Patients received a total of 12 60-minute sessions of reflexology over a period of 6 consecutive weeks. Reflexology was carried out bilaterally on the hands and feet of patients at the reflex points relating to their pain at a suitable intensity and angle. Subjects had pain scores taken immediately before the intervention (0 minute), and at the 60th minute of the intervention. Data were collected over a 10-month period in 2012. The patients' mean pain intensity scores were reduced by reflexology, and this decrease improved progressively in the first and sixth weeks of the intervention, indicating a cumulative dose effect. The results of this study implied that the inclusion of reflexology in the routine care of patients with fibromyalgia could provide nurses with an effective practice for reducing pain intensity in these patients.

Evaluation of oxygen saturation values in different body positions in healthy individuals.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The research was conducted to evaluate oxygen saturation values measured in healthy individuals in different body positions. BACKGROUND: Changes in position affect ventilation-perfusion rates, oxygen transport and lung volume in normal lungs. There have been few studies and not enough information about which positioning of a healthy individual can increase oxygenation. DESIGN: A descriptive study. METHODS: A sample of 103 healthy individuals with no chronic disease, anaemia or pain was included in the research. Individuals were positioned in five different positions: sitting upright, supine position, prone position, lying on the left side and lying on the right side. Oxygen saturation and pulse rates were then measured and recorded after the individuals held each position for ten minutes. RESULTS: It was found that the average oxygen saturation value when measured while sitting in an upright position in a chair was significantly higher than that measured when the individual was lying on the right or left side of the body. Oxygen saturation values measured in the five different body positions were significantly higher in women, in individuals below the age of 35, in those with Body Mass Indexes of below 25 kg/m(2), and in nonsmokers. CONCLUSION: All of the oxygen saturation values measured in the five different body positions were in the normal range. Although oxygen saturation values were within the normal range in the five different body positions, post hoc analysis showed that the best oxygenation was in the 'sitting upright' position while the lowest oxygenation was in the supine position. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Based on the results of this research, it can be concluded that the differences among oxygen saturation values according to the different body positions were statistically significant.

The Use of ShotBlocker for Reducing the Pain and Anxiety Associated With Intramuscular Injection: A Randomized, Placebo Controlled Study.

There are few studies evaluating the effect of ShotBlocker on pain acquired from intramuscular injection, and these are mostly in children. We hypothesized that the use of ShotBlocker, while administering an intramuscular injection, would reduce the pain and anxiety due to intramuscular injection in adults. A randomized, placebo controlled trial was carried out for more than 20 months in 2010-2011 on 180 adults aged 18 to 80 years who received intramuscular injections of diclofenac sodium (75 mg/3 mL) at the outpatient clinic of a hospital. The patients were grouped into 3 groups: control, placebo control, and experimental. The experimental group was given an intramuscular injection of diclofenac sodium with ShotBlocker. Pain intensity was measured through a visual analog scale after the injection and anxiety was measured using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Pulse rate was counted and state and trait anxiety was measured before and after the injection. The Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon and Kruskall-Wallis tests were used to evaluate the data. Patients in the ShotBlocker group had significantly lower pain intensity than those in the placebo and control groups. State anxiety level increased after the injection in the experimental group but did not change in the other 2 groups. ShotBlocker did not affect the pulse rate. Our results suggest that using ShotBlocker during intramuscular injection reduced patients' pain intensity because of injection but did not reduce anxiety levels. Thus, ShotBlocker is recommended as a pain-relieving tool during intramuscular injection in adults.

Effect on pain intensity of injection sites and speed of injection associated with intramuscular penicillin.

The aim of this one-group, quasi-experimental study was to examine the effect of choice of injection site and injection duration on the intensity of pain associated with intramuscular penicillin injection. Injections containing the same dose of drug were administered 12 hours apart for each patient over 5 s/mL and 10 s/mL durations in the dorsogluteal and ventrogluteal sites. Sixty patients who had a medical order for intramuscular penicillin at least twice in a day and for two successive days at the same dose were included in the study. No difference in pain was perceived by participants between the two injection durations at either the dorsogluteal or the ventrogluteal site. This study showed that intramuscular penicillin can be administered to either site over 5 s/mL or 10 s/mL durations. There is a need for further research with a randomized controlled design in different settings and in a larger sample on the impact of choice of injection site and injection duration on pain intensity.

Reflexology: its effects on physiological anxiety signs and sedation needs.

To investigate whether reflexology has an effect on the physiological signs of anxiety and level of sedation in patients receiving mechanically ventilated support, a single blinded, randomized controlled design with repeated measures was used in the intensive care unit of a university hospital in Turkey. Patients (n = 60) aged between 18 and 70 years and were hospitalized in the intensive care unit and receiving mechanically ventilated support. Participants were randomized to a control group or an intervention group. The latter received 30 minutes of reflexology therapy on their feet, hands, and ears for 5 days. Subjects had vital signs taken immediately before the intervention and at the 10th, 20th, and 30th minutes of the intervention. In the collection of the data, "American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Sedation Assessment Scale" was used. The reflexology therapy group had a significantly lower heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and respiratory rate than the control group. A statistically significant difference was found between the averages of the scores that the patients included in the experimental and control groups received from the agitation, anxiety, sleep, and patient-ventilator synchrony subscales of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Sedation Assessment Scale. Reflexology can serve as an effective method of decreasing the physiological signs of anxiety and the required level of sedation in patients receiving mechanically ventilated support. Nurses who have appropriate training and certification may include reflexology in routine care to reduce the physiological signs of anxiety of patients receiving mechanical ventilation.

The effects of music therapy on pain in patients with neuropathic pain.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of relaxing music on pain intensity in patients with neuropathic pain. A quasi-experimental study, repeated measures design was used. Thirty patients, aged 18-70 years, with neuropathic pain and hospitalized in an Algology clinic were identified as a convenience sample. Participants received 60 minutes of music therapy. Classical Turkish music was played to patients using a media player (MP3) and headphones. Participants had pain scores taken immediately before the intervention and at the 30th and 60th minutes of the intervention. Data were collected over a 6-month period in 2012. The patients' mean pain intensity scores were reduced by music, and that decrease was progressive over the 30th and 60th minutes of the intervention, indicating a cumulative dose effect. The results of this study implied that the inclusion of music therapy in the routine care of patients with neuropathic pain could provide nurses with an effective practice for reducing patients' pain intensity.

Factors affecting experiences of intensive care patients in Turkey: patient outcomes in critical care setting.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the factors affecting a patient's intensive care experience. METHODS: The descriptive study was conducted at an intensive care unit in the Aegean Region of Turkey, and comprised 158 patients who spent at least 48 hours at the unit between June and November 2009. A questionnaire form and the Intensive Care Experience Scale were used as data collection tools. SPSS 11.5 was used for statistical analysis of the data. RESULTS: Of the total, 86 (54.4%) patients related to the surgical unit, while 72 (45.5%) spent time at the intensive care unit. Most of the subjects (n=113; 71.5%) reported that they constantly experienced pain during hospitalisation. Patients receiving mechanical ventilation support and patients reporting no pain had significantly higher scores on the intensive care experience scale. Patients who reported pain remembered their experiences less than those having no pain. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions are needed to make the experiences of patients in intensive care more positive.

Cultural validation of the "use of intuition by nursing students scale - Turkish version".

PURPOSE: It is well known that intuition ability directly affects patient care quality and outcomes in nursing practice and is therefore an important aspect of nursing education. This study tests the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Scale of Use of Intuition by Nursing Students. DESIGN: The sample for this methodological study was composed of 250 nursing students. Each item of the scale was translated into Turkish by the researchers and validated for Turkish use. RESULTS: The item-total correlation was between .30 and .56 and its Cronbach α coefficient was .86. There was a statistically significant positive relationship between the level of clinical experience and the total points scored on the physical awareness, emotional awareness, and physical sensations subscales and from the total scale. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, the Turkish version of the Scale of Use of Intuition by Nursing Students is valid and reliable.

Oral care practices of intensive care nurses: a descriptive study.

The aim of this study was to investigate intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' views and practices on oral care and to define the factors related to oral care measures. A study was carried out in eight ICUs of a teaching hospital in 2008. One hundred one nurses constituted the study sample. The data were collected using 'Oral Care Practices Survey' which included demographic characteristics (5 items) and current oral care practices (13 items). Oral care was given the highest priority by nearly 60% of the nurses. The most commonly used solution was sodium bicarbonate (79.2%), and the most frequently used equipment was foam swab (82.2%). Oral care was carried out less than every 4 h per day by 44.5% of the nurses. The oral care products and solutions were reported to be different in almost every unit. The relationship between the use of toothpaste and the place of employment was statistically significant (x(2) = 24.566, d.f. = 6, P = 0.000). There was a statistical significance between the clinics and frequency of oral care (x(2) = 81.486, d.f. = 42, P = 0.000). This study suggests that there is a wide variety of type and frequency of oral care measures among ICU nurses. Optimal oral care supported by evidence is an effective prevention method for eliminating oral complications.

Turkish version of the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale.

AIM: To test the reliability and validity of the Turkish version of the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL). BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading cause of activity limitation and participation restriction that negatively affect health-related quality of life. The assessment of SS-QOL in stroke patients has not been validated in Turkey. METHODS: Cross-sectional and methodological research design was used. Five hundred stroke survivors who had been diagnosed with stroke at least 6 months previously were included in this cross-sectional study. The reliability of the SS-QOL was based on internal consistency, item correlation. Construct validity was evaluated by Exploratory Factor Analysis. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated for the total score of the SS-QOL to establish the internal consistency of the instrument. Construct validity was assessed by comparing patients' scores on the SS-QOL with those obtained by other test methods: SF-36 Health Survey and Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living. FINDINGS: In the process of adaptation to the Turkish population, the scale was converted to 48 items. The correlation coefficient for the test-retest scores of the SS-QOL was calculated as 0.81. Internal consistency for the scale showed Cronbach's alpha = 0.97. As a result of applying factor analysis to the scale, eight factors were obtained, which accounted for 77.47% of the scale's total variance. CONCLUSION: SS-QOL is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring self-reported health-related quality of life at group level among people with stroke who are diagnosed with stroke at least 6 months previously in the Turkish population.

A comparison of the effects of a special gynaecological garment and music in reducing the anxiety related to gynaecological examination.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of a special gynaecological garment and music plus the special gynaecological garment on reducing the state anxiety related to gynaecological examination. BACKGROUND: Gynaecological examination is one of the most common anxiety-producing medical procedures and causes embarrassment and discomfort. Few studies have focused on the effect of a gynaecological garment on anxiety associated with gynaecological examinations. DESIGN: The patients were allocated to one of three groups, one control and two experimental. While the patients in the control group were subjected to the normal outpatient procedure, the patients in the first experimental group were dressed in a special gynaecological garment. In the control group, gynaecological examinations were performed with a traditional one-piece drape. In addition to wearing the special gynaecological garment, the women in the garment + music group listened to music during the gynaecological examination. The State Anxiety Inventory Form was applied to the patients in all three groups before and after gynaecological examination. RESULTS: The state anxiety level after gynaecological examination in patients in the control group was found to be higher, but it was found to be lower in patients in both the first experimental group (garment) and the second experimental group (garment + music). The state anxiety level was found to be more reduced in the experimental groups than in the control group. The state anxiety level after gynaecological examination was found to be higher in single patients in the second experimental group. CONCLUSION: The special gynaecological garments are effective in reducing the state anxiety associated with gynaecological examination. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It should be taken into consideration that women perceived state anxiety during the gynaecological examinations. To allay anxiety associated with gynaecological examination in women, a special garment may be considered.