Graduation Year
2025
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Primary Major
Nursing
Thesis Advisor
Andrea Boyle, RN, MSN, PhD
Abstract
Background: Prion disease is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system. Creutzfeldt-Jakob prion disease rapidly progresses, caused by an infectious pathogen that misfolds the normal prion protein which results in an accumulation of cellular prion proteins. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, only palliative care to provide support as the disease progresses. There is a gap in providing support for the patients and their families due to the limited understanding from the nurses, which can lead to the unmet needs of patients and their families. The purpose of the study is to evaluate what nurses know about prion disease and how they would care for them with their knowledge.
Methods: The proposed research study would use a mixed-method study approach combining quantitative and qualitative data. Using a convenience sample of 50 registered nurses working in the Intensive Care Unit or Neurology Unit from at least 5 hospitals in Northern California.
Conclusion: The proposed research on prion disease discusses that there are no curative treatment options. The aim is to provide an understanding of this devastating disease that nurses may not or may have had to care for. In addition, identifying the need for more guided support, and education for caregivers and nurses. A mixed-method approach may be useful to assess how much nurses know and how they would plan their care. Additional studies may be needed if the results indicate a problem using an educational intervention.
Included in
Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Other Nursing Commons, Other Public Health Commons, Public Health and Community Nursing Commons