Abstract

A descriptive study was conducted to determine what scientific principles were understood by nurses relative to the care of tracheostomy patients. A random sample of thirty-five nurses: twenty-four from medical-surgical units, three from pediatric units, and eight nurses from intensive care units, were selected from nurses working at two community hospitals. The interview method was used to obtain the data. An interview guide was developed from information gained in the literature review and findings of the pilot study.

The findings of the study indicated that the nurses realized speech would be lost with tracheostomy, but other essential physiological changes were not well understood. The complications of tube obstruction and infection were mentioned by twenty-seven nurses, the other twelve possible complications were mentioned by zero to seven nurses. The majority of the nurses evidenced a lack of understanding of the correct techniques used in suctioning. Of the ten correct suctioning techniques possible, the nurses gave an average of 4.9 responses.

Nurses from intensive care units evidenced no greater under standing of the principles underlying tracheostomy care, nor did those nurses who cared for large numbers of tracheostomy patients or those who had the greatest number of years of experience.

Recommendations were made for further research and implementation of education programs to improve the nurses' understanding of the principles and ultimately improve patient care.

LLU Discipline

Nursing

Department

Nursing

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Matilda Anabelle Mills

Second Advisor

L. Lucile Lewis

Third Advisor

Lloyd A. Dayes

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1966

Date (Title Page)

6-1966

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Tracheotomy

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vii; 71

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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Nursing Commons

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