Reference no: EM133235096

Assignment - Below is a summary of a nursing study. Read the summary and then answer the factual questions that follow:

This study tested the relative effectiveness of alternative types of messages in encouraging the elderly to come forward for a flu vaccination. All members of a senior citizens' center in a middle-sized community (a total of 348 elderly men and women) were sent a letter advising them that a flu epidemic was anticipated and that the elderly were especially likely to benefit from an immunization. Half the members were sent a letter stressing the benefits of getting a flu shot (the benefit letter group). The other half were sent a letter stressing the potential dangers of not getting a flu shot (the danger letter group). To avoid any biases, a lottery-type system was used to determine which elders got which of the two letters. All study participants were told in the letters that free immunizations would be available at a community health clinic over a 1-week period and that free transportation would also be made available to them. Rates of coming forward for a flu shot among the two groups of elders were monitored to assess whether one approach of encouragement was more persuasive than the other. It was found that a higher percentage of elderly in the "benefit letter" group obtained a flu shot than was true for elders in the "danger letter" group.

1. Were empirical observations made?

2. What, if anything, was measured or counted in this study?

3. Indicate (a) the Population; (b) the Intervention, influence, or exposure; and (if appropriate) (c) the Outcome for the following statement.

What bed rest elevation for mechanically ventilated patients is maximally effective in reducing the risk of ventilator-associated pneumonia?

a) P:

b) I:

c) O:

Here is a brief summary of an EBP effort by a practicing nurse. Read the summary and then respond to the questions that follow:

McDonald was caring for a 27-year-old woman who just delivered her first infant by emergency cesarean birth. The mother was upset, because she believed that she would have to deliver any subsequent children by cesarean birth. She asked McDonald about the risks of birth complications with vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). McDonald decided to look for the best possible evidence to answer her question.

4. Would the trigger in McDonald's effort be described as problem focused or knowledge focused?

Below is a summary of a nursing study. Read the summary and then answer the factual questions that follow:

Singleton investigated the behaviors of nursing students in crisis or emergency situations. She was interested in comparing the behaviors of students from baccalaureate versus diploma programs to determine the adequacy of the preparation given to students in handling emergencies. Fifty students from both types of programs agreed to participate in the study and signed a form agreeing that their participation was voluntary. The study was described to them as an assessment of their nursing skills in taking vital signs; the investigator wanted to observe reactions to crisis without preparing students for that crisis (i.e., to observe what they might do in a real emergency) so participants were not told the exact nature of the study. Each student was instructed to take the vital signs of a "patient" and to record the information.

The "patient," who was described as another student but who in fact was Singleton's confederate, simulated an epileptic seizure while the vital signs were being taken. A research assistant, who did not know the educational background of the students, observed the timeliness and appropriateness of the students' responses to the situation.

Participants filled out a demographic form, but these forms did not record their names. Immediately after participation, the students were debriefed about the nature of the study and were paid a $5 stipend.

5. Were participants deceived in any way?

6. Did this study pose an ethical dilemma for the researcher?

Below is a summary of a nursing study. Read the summary and then answer the factual questions that follow:

Montanari was interested in studying the notes made by various members of the health care team on patients' hospital charts in terms of their communication value and utility to others. She began her project with some general questions, such as: Are the nurses' entries on the patient chart used by other staff? Who is most likely to read nurses' entries on the patient chart? Do particular types of entries encourage utilization? Montanari proceeded to reflect on her own experiences and observations relative to these issues and reviewed the literature to find whether other researchers had studied these problems. Based on her review and reflections, Montanari developed the following hypotheses:

a) Nursing notes are more likely to be referred to by hospital staff if the patient has been hospitalized for more than 5 days than if the patient has been hospitalized for 5 days or fewer.

7. What are the independent and dependent variables in the hypothesis?

Answer the following questions either True or False:

8. According to the positivist paradigm, there is an objective reality that can be understood by researchers.

9. In a study of the effectiveness of massage in reducing the pain of oncology patients, the researcher is investigating a causal relationship.

10. Qualitative researchers begin with a formal research question and then develop hypotheses to be tested while in the field.