DOI

https://doi.org/10.25772/R4GY-2K96

Defense Date

2012

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Mary Jo Grap

Abstract

A major goal in the care of patients with neurological problems is to prevent or minimize episodes of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). Elevations in ICP in response to nursing interventions have been acknowledged since the 1960’s when ICP monitoring was first introduced in the clinical setting. Until recently few studies have specifically examined the effect of oral care on ICP and oral care and other hygiene measures were combined or not specified, prohibiting a direct interpretation of the influence of oral care alone on ICP. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between routine oral care interventions and the changes in ICP specifically focusing on the effect of intensity and duration of this intervention. Twenty-three patients with a clinical condition requiring ICP monitoring were enrolled over a 12 month period. Oral care provided by neuroscience intensive care nurses was observed and videotaped. Characteristics of the intervention were documented including products used, patient positioning, and duration of the intervention. A 1-5 subjective scale was used to score intensity of oral care. Wrist actigraphy data were collected from the nurses to provide an objective measure of intensity. Patient physiologic data were collected at 12 second epochs 5 minutes before, during and 5 minutes after oral care. The mixed effect repeated measures ANOVA model indicated that there was a statistically significant increase in ICP in response to oral care (p=0.0031). There was, however, no clinically significant effect on ICP. This study provides evidence that oral care is safe to perform in patients in the absence of pre-existing elevated ICP.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

May 2012

Included in

Nursing Commons

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