Author

Erin Ross

Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

Committee Chair

Pamela O'Neal

Committee Member

Samuel N. Macferran

Subject(s)

Nasal mucosa

Abstract

Infants are obligate nose breathers, therefore nasal congestion can lead to difficulty breathing, sleeping, and eating. Parents are instructed to suction their infants nose, however little is known about if suctioning if performed properly. A literature search was performed with minimal evidence found in regard to suctioning outcomes in the pediatric outpatient setting. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) promotes using a bulb syringe and saline drops or spray as a means of treatment for congestion related to respiratory infections in infants (AAP, 2009). This is a descriptive study of a convenience sample of parents who visited an outpatient clinic for a well-child examination during February thru May 2016. The clinical question guiding this study is in infant parents, will knowledge assessment of oro-nasal suctioning and administration of an educational session at the two week well-child examination lead to improved suctioning knowledge and practices by parents at the two month well-child examination? The pre and post-assessment quantitative instruments were administered at the indicated exam through the use of Qualtrics online survey software. A comprehensive guideline for safe suctioning practice was developed as an educational handout for parents. Paired t-tests and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data collected. Parent knowledge and beliefs when tested on seven different pre and post-assessment questions were significant at a level p= 0.000 to 0.041. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that providing a brief educational session on oro-nasal suctioning at the two week well-child examination would improve safe and effective suctioning practices.

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