Abstract

This study was conducted to find out if the giving of alternate hot-and-cold treatments to the chest following abdominal hysterectomy would result in measurable benefits in improved patient comfort and rate of recovery. The White Memorial Hospital was selected as the control area and the Loma Linda Sanitarium and Hospital was selected as the experimental area.

Literature was reviewed to determine the value of wet heat and cold on the circulatory and respiratory system and whether or not their effects would be useful postoperatively.

Studies were further searched to find individual differences in the perception of pain. The influence of age, race, and socioeconomic factors was also considered.

The experimental method was used for this study. Twenty patients at each of the two hospitals were included and the giving of alternate hot-and-cold treatments to those at the experimental area was the major variable.

Analysis and classification of data were made under the categories of patient comfort; effect on diet, ambulation, distention and temperature; and the amount of pain-relieving medication given. These were presented in tables. Interpretation was made regarding each classification.

Patient comfort was one category which showed a significant benefit. This was found to be significant at the one percent level of confidence using the chi square formula.

Progress is diet, ambulation, and distention showed positive findings after the application of the treatments but since the number of patients included in the study was so small, the variation was not considered conclusive. The use of pain-relieving medication did not vary appreciably at either area nor did the elevation of reduction of temperature seem to be affected. Culture, religion, socioeconomic status, height, weight, and previous surgery, appeared to have no bearing on the findings.

Finding of the study were not conclusive but a definite trend was evident pointing to advantages as the result of alternate hot-and-cold treatments. Recommendation were made that the study be repeated with a larger number of patients in each group to validate the results, and that studies be done to find out if the amount of pain medication routinely affects respiration, and if heat applied to the wound site has value in relief of pain.

LLU Discipline

Nursing

Department

Nursing

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

R. Maureen Maxwell

Second Advisor

Gertrude Haussler

Third Advisor

Ralph E. Alway

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1962

Date (Title Page)

6-1962

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Hysterectomy; Hydrotherapy

Type

Thesis

Page Count

viii; 50

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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