Comparison of Body Temperature Values Measured With Noncontact Forehead Thermometer and Tympanic Thermometer in Adult Individuals.

Background and Purpose: Noncontact forehead thermometers have become increasingly widespread because of their advantages, such as rapid measurement of temperature, noninvasiveness, ease of use, and portability. The aim of the study was to compare the body temperature values measured using a noncontact forehead thermometer and a tympanic thermometer. Methods: A cross-sectional, comparative, and quasiexperimental research design was used in this study. The research population was composed of 200 adult individuals older than 18 years who were being treated at the hospital between January 2015 and March 2015. The temperature and humidity of the environment were measured with an electronic thermo-hygrometer. The body temperature of the patient was measured with both a noncontact forehead thermometer and a tympanic thermometer by the same researcher. The data were recorded in the patient information form and the patient observation form. Results: Mean body temperature values measured with a noncontact forehead thermometer and a tympanic thermometer were 36.17°C ± 0.47°C and 36.89°C ± 0.44°C, respectively. Results showed that there was no clear relationship between differences and averages, and there was conformity between the two methods. Conclusions: The mean forehead temperature is lower than the tympanic temperature, and there is conformity between the two methods.

Development of the Thirst Discomfort Scale: A Validity and Reliability Study.

BACKGROUND: Thirst is a sensation associated with a dry mouth and the desire or craving to drink water. Surgical patients are among those hospitalized individuals who are at high risk of developing both osmotic and hypovolemic thirst. OBJECTIVES: To develop a new measurement tool for evaluating the thirst-related discomfort of surgical patients and to assess its validity and reliability. METHODS: The study population consisted of patients admitted to the surgical clinics of a research hospital in Turkey between January and March 2022. The new measurement tool was developed in several stages: a pilot implementation phase with 51 patients and the main implementation phase with 198 patients. Data were collected by means of face-to-face interviews with patients. Exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 22, and IBM SPSS Amos. RESULTS: The final Thirst Discomfort Scale consisted of 12 items in 3 subdimensions. The Cronbach α values of the scale subdimensions ranged from 0.787 to 0.848, and the Cronbach α value for the scale as a whole was 0.886. The scale explained 66.237% of the total variance of the data. CONCLUSION: The Thirst Discomfort Scale consisting of 12 items and 3 subdimensions is a valid and reliable measurement tool for evaluating thirst-related discomfort of surgical patients.

The effect of reinforcement using the Gimkit game on learning the subject in nursing students.

AIM: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of reinforcement using the Gimkit game and question-and-answer method on the achievement test scores of nursing students. BACKGROUND: Advances in information and communication technology are one of the most important factors affecting change in health systems. The rapid pace of technological evolution has also significantly affected the nursing education curricula. As the nursing profession continues to change and grow, updating learning strategies in nursing education has become a necessity to prepare nursing students for today's health problems. DESIGN: The study was conducted as a quasi-experimental model using the pretest-posttest control group model in non-randomized groups. METHODS: The population of the research consisted of first-year students of the nursing faculty of a state university. The sample of the research consisted of first-year students of the nursing faculty who met the research criteria and accepted to participate in the research. The students participating in the research were divided into experimental and control groups using the simple random method. An achievement test, that is, a pre-test, was administered to both groups before the subject was presented. Afterwards, the same subject was presented to all groups by the same instructor during a 4-h training session. A reinforcement strategy using the Gimkit game was implemented with the students in the experimental group, while the traditional question-and-answer method was used as the reinforcement strategy in the control group. After the reinforcements, the achievement test, that is, the post-test, was administered to both groups again. RESULTS: In the study, it was determined that there was no statistically significant difference between the pre-tests of the experimental group where the Gimkit game was used and the control group where the question-answer method was used (p = 0.223). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between the post-test scores of the experimental group where the Gimkit game was used and the control group where the question-and-answer method was used (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: In the study, it was determined that the use of the Gimkit game was more effective on learning the subject than the traditional question-and-answer method.

Investigation of the relationship between internet addiction, communication skills and difficulties in emotion regulation in nursing students.

This study investigates the relationships between nursing students' internet addiction levels, communication skills and difficulties in emotion regulation. This cross-sectional study included 463 nursing students who completed the Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), Communication Skills Scale (CSS) and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-16). Approximately half of the nursing students were risky internet users. A negative statistically significant was determined between from IAS and CSS; a positive statistically significant was determined between from IAS and DERS-16. It was found that internet addiction had an effect of 18.6 % (R2 = 0.186) on difficulty in emotion regulation and 0.27 % on communication skills (R2 = 0.027). The students who were in risky group in internet addiction had worse communication skills and higher levels of difficulties in emotion regulation.

A psychometric assessment on patient education: Developing a satisfaction scale.

PURPOSE: The research aimed to develop a valid and reliable measurement instrument to determine patient satisfaction with patient education. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data were collected by the researchers with the "Patient Information Form" and the "Patient Education Satisfaction Scale (PESS)." FINDINGS: The factor load values of the scale items range from 0.534 to 0.890. X2 /SD was 3.49, the goodness-of-fit index was 0.91, the adjusted goodness-of-fit index was 0.92, the comparative fit index was 0.91, root mean square error of approximation was 0.061, and standardized root mean square residual was 0.061. The scale was shaped with 30 items and a single dimension. Cronbach's α value of the scale was 0.93. The item-total correlation scores range between 0.68 and 0.87. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: PESS is a valid and reliable scale. It is thought that this measurement tool will be useful for researchers working with patient education.

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.

Impact of Early and Regular Mobilization on Vital Signs and Oxygen Saturation in Patients Undergoing Open-Heart Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: This quasi-experimental study aimed to evaluate the impact of early and regular mobilization on vital signs and oxygen saturation in open-heart surgery patients. METHODS: The study universe comprised patients undergoing open-heart surgery in the cardiovascular intensive care unit of a heart center. The study sample consisted of patients who underwent open-heart surgery from November 2016 to April 2017, met the inclusion criteria, and voluntarily agreed to participate in the study. The study included 75 patients. Of these, 67 completed the mobilization program in two days, starting on the first postoperative day. Each patient was mobilized three times: twice on the first postoperative day and once on the second postoperative day. Vital signs and oxygen saturation for each patient were measured 10 minutes before and 20 minutes after each mobilization. RESULTS: The difference between pulse and systolic blood pressure values measured before and after the first mobilization was statistically significant (P<0.05). In addition, the difference between the mean systolic blood pressure values before the first mobilization and after the third mobilization (123.43±14.09 mmHg and 117.94±14.05 mmHg, respectively) was statistically significant (P<0.05). The other parameters measured in relation to the mobilizations were in the normal range. CONCLUSION: Early and frequent mobilization did not cause vital signs and oxygen saturation to deviate from normal limits in open-heart surgery patients.

Examining the effect of "Shotblocker" in relieving pain associated with intramuscular injection.

This study was conducted in order to examine the effect of "Shotblocker" in relieving pain associated with intramuscular injection. The population of the study consisted of all the patients who were hospitalized in the hospital and received intramuscular diclomec treatment. In order to eliminate the individual pain differences, each patient constituted their own control group. Patient Information Form, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and Shotblocker were used to collect the data. Pain level of the patients was measured by using VAS within the first minute after the injection. The pain mean score of the patients was 1.22 ±â€¯0.62 in the experimental group and 2.48 ±â€¯1.12 cm in the control group and the difference between them was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Shotblocker was determined to be effective on relieving pain associated with intramuscular injection.

The Effect of Foot Exercises on Wound Healing in Type 2 Diabetic Patients With a Foot Ulcer: A Randomized Control Study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of foot exercises on wound healing in type 2 diabetic patients with a diabetic foot ulcer. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized controlled study. SUBJECT AND SETTINGS: Sixty-five patients from an outpatient clinic with grade 1 or 2 ulcers (Wagner classification) who met study criteria agreed to participate; 60 patients completed the study and were included in the final analysis. Subjects were followed up between February 2014 and June 2015. METHODS: Subjects were recruited by the researchers in the clinics where they received treatment. Subjects were randomly allocated to either the control or intervention group. Data were collected using investigator-developed forms: patient information form and the diabetic foot exercises log. Patients in the intervention group received standard wound care and performed daily foot exercises for 12 weeks; the control group received standard wound care but no exercises. The ulcers of the patients in both the intervention and control groups were examined and measured at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks. The groups were compared in terms of the ulcer size and depth. To analyze and compare the data, frequency distribution, mean (standard deviation), variance analysis, and the independent samples t test and the χ test were used. RESULTS: The mean ulcer areas were 12.63 (14.43), 6.91 (5.44), 4.30 (3.70), and 3.29 (3.80) cm (P < .05) in the study intervention group, and 24.67 (20.70), 24.75 (20.84), 20.33 (20.79), and 18.52 (21.49) cm in the control group in the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks, respectively. Significant differences were found between diabetic foot ulcer sizes in the study intervention group in the 4th and 12th weeks compared to beginning baseline (P ≤ .05). However, only the 12th week was different from the beginning in the control group (P = .000). The mean depths of the ulcers were 0.56 (0.85), 0.42 (0.68), 0.36 (0.50), and 0.28 (0.38) cm in the study intervention group (P < .05) and 0.61 (0.84), 0.82 (1.07), 0.83 (1.21), and 0.80 (1.26) cm in the control group, respectively, at the baseline, and at the 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks, respectively (P = .000). CONCLUSION: The ulcer areas decreased significantly in the study intervention group compared to the control group during the 3 follow-up measurements. An important finding in this study was the DFU area decreased more in those who exercised more. Findings suggests foot exercises should be included in the treatment plan when managing patients with diabetic foot ulcers.

Effect of Head and Neck Immobilization on Postspinal Headache: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of head and neck immobilization on postdural puncture headache (PDPH) through the use of cervical collars. DESIGN: This was a fully randomized controlled trial. METHOD: The sample group of the study consisted of 120 patients. Patients in the experimental group were followed up by using the appropriate cervical collar after the operation. The cervical collar was kept on until mobilization. Follow-ups of patients in the control group continued without limiting head and neck movements. Headaches of patients in the experimental and control groups at 24, 48, and 72 hours after the operation were determined. FINDINGS: The average age of the patients in the experimental group was 22.70 ± 2.72, whereas it was 22.93 ± 3.29 in the control group. The mean body mass index of the experimental group and control group was 24.24 ± 2.62 and 23.46 ± 3.03, respectively. The mean scores of the patients in the experimental and control groups on the Numeric Rating Scale were statistically significant in favor of patients in the experimental group in the interval of 24 and 48 hours (P < .05) and was not statistically significant after 72 hours (P > .05). CONCLUSION: This study showed that prolonged immobility of the neck, in addition to bed rest, could not prevent PDPHs. The use of a cervical collar may help to delay PDPHs. may help to delay PDPHs.

What level of self-care agency in mental illness? The factors affecting self-care agency and self-care agency in patients with mental illness.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate self-care agency and the factors affecting self-care agency in patients with psychiatric disorders. The population of the study comprised patients diagnosed with mental disorders at the clinics of psychiatry in Erzurum Regional Training and Research Hospital and Atatürk University Research Hospital. Patient information forms and the Self-Care Agency Scale were used to collect the study data. Psychiatric nurse collected the data from the patients face to face. This study determined that the average age of the patients was determined to be 32.19±1.11. The findings indicated that the mean self-care agency level of the patients was 79.3±23.2. It was also found that the differences between sex, educational status, socio-economic status, and self-care agency levels were statistically significant (p<0.05). In conclusion, the patients' self-care agency levels were determined to be mid-level. The findings suggest that people with mental disorders have difficulty identifying their need for self-care. Thus, periodic training programs are necessary to increase self-care levels and further research studies of this type should be done on larger groups.

Prevalence of urinary incontinence in older Turkish women, risk factors, and effect on activities of daily living.

PURPOSE: The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) among older women, risk factors, and the effect on activities of daily living (ADLs). METHOD: The study was conducted in family health centers located in a city in eastern Turkey. The study population consisted of 1094 women age 65 and older chosen with a simple random sampling method. The inclusion criteria were 65 years and older, female, and not diagnosed with mental or emotional diseases or conditions that obstruct communication. Data were collected in face-to-face interviews with the Questionnaire and Daily Life Activities Data Form created by the researchers based on the Roper, Logan, and Tierney model. RESULTS: The prevalence of UI in women age 65 and older was 51.6%, and the most common type was urge incontinence. The number of births, number of abortions, age at last birth, and home births affected the development of UI (p<0.001). In addition, body mass index, constipation, urinary tract infection, cough, hormone replacement therapy, genital prolapse, cystocele, urogenital surgery, nocturia, and daily urine output were determined to be risk factors (p<0.001). Among the ADLs, 13.7% with UI reported that they had fallen when getting up from the toilet, 34.3% had experienced a sense of shame, 45.8% avoided coughing, and 46.5% restricted fluid intake. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of UI in women age 65 and older was high, and the most common was urge incontinence. UI has many risk factors and affects many ADLs.

Assessment of four different methods in subcutaneous heparin applications with regard to causing bruise and pain.

Subcutaneous administration of the anticoagulant heparin sodium is a frequently performed nursing intervention. Subcutaneous heparin injection often causes problems such as bruise, pain, induration, and hematoma at the injection site. Bruising that result from heparin injections may lead to anxiety, disruption of body image, the rejection of the treatment in patients, and the reduction of the reliance of patient to nurse. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the effects of four different injection technique pain and on bruising associated with subcutaneous heparin. The research involved ninety-five patients. Each subject received four injections by the same investigator using four different techniques. Site bruising was measured at forty-eight and seventy-two after each injection. The bruising size was measured using milimetric transparent palyethylene wrap and the verbal pain scale. There was significant difference in the incidence or size of bruises and pain perception the subject among techniques. Results of the study show that use of air lock technique without aspiration and two-minute cold application to the area of injection with methods reduce bruise and pain.

Evaluation of patient education provided by clinical nurses in Turkey.

The purpose of this study was to determine the practices of patient education provided by nurses in hospital clinics. The data were collected using a questionnaire form developed by the researcher in the light of relevant literature. The questionnaire form included questions to help determine descriptive characteristics of nurses and practices of patient education. Statistical analysis was performed using percentages. Most of the nurses (82.4%) did not define a certain place or time for patient education, almost all of the nurses (98.9%) did not record the education process, and patients' family/relatives were not included in the education (82.4%). The results of this study have shown that clinical nurses do not adequately implement the phases of patient education. During nursing education, nurses' knowledge and skills in patient education should be developed, and they should be made to fully internalize their educational role.