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Biomedical subjects

S M Mahon

Publications and source records attributed to S M Mahon.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1995

Hereditary cancer syndrome: Part 2.--Psychosocial issues, concerns, and screening--results of a qualitative study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the feelings and concerns of family members with hereditary cancer syndrome (HCS) and their level of participation in prevention and early detection activities. DESIGN: Qualitative methods; content analysis of interviews. SETTING: Community, hospital-based cancer screening center with a special program of supportive services for families with HCS. SAMPLE: Purposeful theoretical sampling produced a sample (n = 13) of people with HCS. Most were Caucasian women representing a variety of types of HCS. METHODS: In-depth, unstructured, audiotaped interviews that lasted about 60 minutes. FINDINGS: Five themes emerged: (a) issues regarding communication with health professionals, (b) relationships with family members, (c) financial concerns, (d) psychosocial concerns, and (e) participation in screening activities. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals from families with HCS live with the knowledge that they have a high risk of developing malignancy. A true understanding of this risk may take time to comprehend. Many members of families with HCS require more education and support regarding cancer screening and prevention activities. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nursing roles include being an educator on risk and early detection measures, a patient advocate, and a resource to all members of the family with HCS. Future nursing research can help identify specific psychosocial needs among different family members and specific psychosocial needs associated with different types of HCS.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

The impact of mailing fecal occult blood test kits on return rate in a community cancer screening center.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe how mailing fecal occult blood test (FOBT) kits prior to office appointments rather than distributing the kits at office visits affects the return rate of completed tests and to describe the demographic characteristics of those who returned the tests and those who did not. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: An urban, community hospital cancer screening program. SAMPLE: 631 people; 382 returned the FOBTs; 128 did not return the tests; 121 refused all colorectal screening including fecal occult blood testing. METHODS: Charts were reviewed and abstracted using a form; data were entered and analyzed using descriptive statistics. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Completion and return of the FOBT and FOBT results. FINDINGS: The return rate when the FOBT was mailed prior to appointments was 85% compared to 32% for patients who received test kits in the office. Of those who completed the test, 80% also underwent digital rectal examinations and 26% underwent flexible sigmoidoscopies. Nine people demonstrated positive FOBT results, but no colorectal cancers were detected. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective chart review, mailing FOBT kits prior to office appointments appeared to be related to increased return rates. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Findings are preliminary in nature, but nurses must consider various methods of distributing FOBTs in order to increase return rates.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Using brochures to educate the public about the early detection of prostate and colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To describe the development and the evaluation of two brochures intended to educate the public about prostate and colorectal cancer screening. DATA SOURCES: Clinical experience and published books, articles, and brochures. DATA SYNTHESIS: Personnel at the Cancer Screening Center of the Deaconess Health System in St. Louis, MO, developed two brochures intended to educate the public about prostate cancer and colorectal cancer screening. These brochures focus on early detection (based on American Cancer Society guidelines), signs and symptoms, and risk factors related to prostate and colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: These brochures can be used effectively to educate a large number of people about prostate and colorectal cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSES: Oncology nurses may find these brochures to be an effective adjunct to existing resources used to educate the public about early detection of prostate and colorectal cancer.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

The Bethesda system for classification of Pap smears: the clinical experience of one cancer screening center.

Since the initiation of the Bethesda System for the classification of cervical/vaginal cytology in 1988, anecdotal reports suggest that there may be an increased number of referrals for abnormalities. The purpose of this retrospective chart review (n = 533) was to describe (a) the adequacy of samples collected by an advanced practice nurse; (b) a comparison of the findings and referrals from Pap smears collected using the old numerical (I-V) system and the Bethesda system; and (c) findings from the follow-up of referrals of nonspecific Pap smears. A total of 108 smears were interpreted using the numerical system and 425 in the Bethesda System. Results included that 90% of the specimens were considered adequate for interpretation. Recommendations for repeat smears in women with nonspecific results were made to 128 women; 68 (53%) had a repeat Pap smear done. Of these women, 39 (57%) had a normal smear on repeat and 29 (43%) had a persistent nonspecific smear. When the numerical system was used, < 10% were referred for a repeat smear or further evaluation. In this study, there appears to be an increase in the number of referrals for further evaluation with the use of the Bethesda system. Nurses need to consider various ways to educate women regarding the changes due to the Bethesda system and the clinical implications of the new system.

Female↗
PubMed1994

Safe handling practices of cytotoxic drugs: the results of a chapter survey.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe how nurses from a local Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Chapter Implement Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines for handling cytotoxic drugs (CDs) in their individual practices and to identify barriers to implementing these guidelines. DESIGN: Mailed survey. SETTING: ONS chapter in a large midwestern city. SAMPLE: 103 nurses, 83 of whom handle CDs. Mean years in oncology nursing was 7.5. METHODS: Mailed survey consisting of 48 questions on seven topics, as well as demographic questions. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Roles in preparation and administration of CDs, management spills, patient care, and use of protective equipment in patient and family education practices; barriers to use of protective practices. FINDINGS: Subjects used some protective equipment when preparing and administering CDs, but the type of equipment and its frequency of use did not specifically meet OSHA Guidelines. Rates of compliance with guidelines were better for management of spills and disposal of equipment. Verbal instructions for patients and families were employed but very few provided written instructions or explanations. Barriers to using protective equipment included a lack of time, problems with availability, and concerns about patient reactions. CONCLUSIONS: Barriers must be overcome and better safe-handling practices incorporated into practice to ensure the safety of nurses. More education is needed for family members who come into contact with patients receiving CDs. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Future research to document the extent of the problem, including stratification of responses according to the quantity and frequency with which a nurse administers CDs. Better, and perhaps more frequent, staff and family education efforts are needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Pathophysiology of hypokalemia in patients with cancer: implications for nurses.

Hypokalemia is a potentially life-threatening complication that occurs in many patients with cancer. Nurses need to be aware of the many common causes of this electrolyte disorder as well as appropriate assessment strategies that will enable potential problems to be detected and treated early. This article begins with a review of normal potassium balance and physiology, followed by a discussion of potential causes of hypokalemia in patients with cancer. These causes are grouped into four categories: inadequate dietary intake, extrarenal losses, redistribution abnormalities, and renal losses. Common causes of hypokalemia in patients with cancer are illustrated with case examples. Signs and symptoms associated with hypokalemia are discussed. Finally, implications for nursing assessment and intervention related to the administration of potassium are reviewed.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Factors associated with adequate pain control in hospitalized postsurgical patients diagnosed with cancer.

The inadequate management of pain continues to be a significant problem for persons with cancer. Experts suggest that contributing factors include discrepancies in pain assessment, inadequate administration of opiate therapy, and insufficient documentation of the patient's pain experience. This study, part of a multidepartmental investigation into the adequacy of pain management in hospitalized patients, describes the pain experience of surgical oncology patients. Its correlational ex post facto design (n = 34) was guided by Loeser's model of pain. Randomly selected surgical oncology patients were interviewed using a structured format. The patient's primary nurse and physician simultaneously completed brief assessments of their perceptions of the patient's pain intensity. Data were analyzed using descriptive and correlational statistics, and implications for nursing practice and future nursing research are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Managing the psychosocial consequences of cancer recurrence: implications for nurses.

Patients experiencing a recurrence of malignancy offer many unique challenges to nurses. One of these challenges is to assist patients in coping with the psychosocial impact of a recurrence of malignancy. A recurrence of malignancy is a distinctly different event from an initial diagnosis of cancer. As primary caregivers, nurses first must accurately assess not only the patient's perception of the recurrence but also its impact on the patient's family, social activities, and roles. Nurses must consider carefully their own feelings concerning recurrence of cancer and how these feelings influence the care they render to this group of patients. Appropriate nursing intervention includes not only the patient but also the family and significant others. Issues related to future nursing research with this population are discussed.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1990

Cancer recurrence as a traumatic event.

The authors hypothesized that cancer recurrence can be understood and therefore treated as a traumatic event that places patients at risk for stress response symptoms. To test this, they gave 40 patients with recurrent malignancies of mixed sites the Impact of Event Scale (a measure of response to specific stressors), the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self-Report version (a measure of general adjustment to illness), and a semi-structured interview in which the patients were asked about their reactions to and experiences surrounding the recurrence, compared with those surrounding their initial diagnosis. In self-report measures and in the interview, patients clearly perceived that adjustment to recurrence is more problematic than adjustment to initial diagnosis. The findings were consistent with an expectation derived from the stress-disorder literature: patients who reported having been completely surprised by the recurrence and those undergoing their first recurrence showed significantly more intrusive and avoidant stress response symptoms. Given the heterogeneity of the patient population and the relatively limited sample size, further study is needed to assess the contribution of other important mediating factors in the development of stress disorders. Because the predictors in this study (extent of surprise and number of previous recurrences) can be identified before or immediately following a recurrence, primary and secondary interventions might help prevent stress disorders in patients who may have had unrealistic expectations.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1989

Signs and symptoms associated with malignancy-induced hypercalcemia.

Hypercalcemia is a common life-threatening complication that often produces discomfort for the oncology patient. Prompt detection of this complication is imperative to prevent death and reverse uncomfortable symptoms. Laboratory analysis of a serum blood sample is presently the only means available to quantify hypercalcemia. A descriptive study was undertaken to determine what symptoms prompt oncology patients and their families to seek treatment of the hypercalcemia and to identify symptoms commonly associated with mild, moderate, and severe hypercalcemia. Seven hypercalcemic oncology patients were interviewed and observed on admission and during hospitalization for treatment of hypercalcemia. An identified significant other was also interviewed on admission and throughout the hospitalization to provide the researcher with information about subtle behavioral changes. A check-list of symptoms identified in the literature as being associated with hypercalcemia was completed. Symptoms that commonly led to admission included constipation, confusion, weakness, and anorexia. The most evident changes in a particular symptom within a given degree of hypercalcemia occurred in the mental status symptoms. The resulting data have implications for nurses in terms of patient assessment and of teaching patient and family about signs and symptoms of hypercalcemia that are observable at home.

Calcium↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Screening for second cancers and osteoporosis in long-term survivors.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this preliminary study was to describe the extent to which healthcare providers recommend the screening strategies for early detection described by the American Cancer Society (ACS), for breast, gynecologic, and colorectal cancer, and by the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), for osteoporosis, to women who are long-term survivors of breast, ovarian, or endometrial cancer. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY: A four-part survey was developed for this study, with the first three parts based on the ACS guidelines for breast, gynecologic, and colorectal cancer screening and the NOF guidelines for osteoporosis screening. The fourth part related to personal characteristics, setting, knowledge, and perceptions of the nurses surveyed. A random sample of outpatient nurses was obtained from the Oncology Nursing Society. Of 668 nurses, 321 (48%) responded (Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) 68.1%; Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse (AOCN) 16.6%). RESULTS: The most consistently performed screenings that were reported were mammogram (range 74.2-87.7%), professional breast examination (range 73.9-83.7%), and Pap test and pelvic examination (range 61.8-85.2%). The least frequently performed screenings are flexible sigmoidoscopy/colonoscopy (range 20.2-27.7%), bone mineral density testing (range 16.9-19.0%), and height measurement (range 22.5-28.3%). Less than one third of survivors are offered counseling on strategies to promote bone health. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Knowledge of factors associated with osteoporosis and the use of screening strategies for second malignancies in survivors of breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers can be used to implement activities such as patient education and clinical practice protocols that will increase the use of current screening recommendations.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Presentation of nursing diagnosis content in fundamentals of nursing textbooks.

The technique and rationale for the use of nursing diagnosis generally are introduced early in the undergraduate curriculum. The three purposes of this descriptive study were to describe the general characteristics and presentation of content on nursing diagnosis in fundamentals of nursing textbooks; describe how the content from the theoretical chapter(s) in nursing diagnosis is carried through in the clinical chapters; and describe how content on diagnostic errors is presented. Although most of the textbooks presented content on nursing diagnosis in a similar fashion, the clinical chapters of the books did not follow the same pattern. Content on diagnostic errors was inconsistent. Educators may find this an effective methodology for reviewing textbooks.

Curriculum↗