Abstract

This study was conducted to identify those anatomical and physiological facts which are essential in the nursing care of patients with pathology involving structures within the spinal canal.

Review of literature revealed increasing awareness, on the part of nurses and others, of the importance of the basic science to nursing care. Studies exploring the relationship between anatomical and physiological facts and clinical nursing were available. Literature also revealed that the use of individual patients, case studies, or patient records have been useful adjuncts to the teaching of nursing.

The descriptive survey methods was used, with an adaptation of the Fedder technique. Medical records of five patients with lesions within the spinal canal were summarized, and analysis sheets were developed. These were submitted, with instructions, to a group of specialists for verification and validation.

The data were analyzed to determine agreement of the specialists, and frequency of use of the anatomical and physiological facts in the five cases.

Analysis of the data was made under the categories of positive, negative and "other". Interpretation was made regarding each classification. There was a high percentage of agreement that the information was correct, and necessary for the nurse to know in planning care. The respondents indicated that more details was needed in some areas, although there was a high percentage of agreement that the materials included was that which constituted professional nursing care. The lowest agreement regarded the inclusion of all aspects of nursing care; one specialist indicated that much more was needed. No items were completely disproved, and no additional facts related to the spinal cord were suggested.

Twenty-three anatomical and physiological facts were identified in the five cases; some were present in each case, while others appeared in fewer.

It was concluded that the anatomical and physiological facts identified were the major ones needed to plan nursing care of patients with lesions involving structures within the spinal canal, and that anatomical and physiological facts could be identified with Fedder technique.

Recommendations were made that similar studies be done, varying the patient population, length of time, diseases process, and specialist respondents, and that nurse educators place stronger emphasis upon correlation of the science and nursing care.

LLU Discipline

Nursing

Department

Nursing

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

M. Anabelle Mills

Second Advisor

L. Lucile Lewis

Third Advisor

Guy M. Hunt

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1963

Date (Title Page)

6-1963

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Spinal Canal -- pathology; Nursing Care -- education

Type

Thesis

Page Count

vii; 85

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

Included in

Nursing Commons

Share

COinS