CHAPTER 5
 DISCUSSION

 The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between the degree of

spirituality and high scores on a self-health assessment questionnaire with three

postoperative outcomes after hip or knee joint arthroplasty. Specifically, this study

examined the relationships between a high degree of spirituality, a high score for

individual self-health assessment and pain report and analgesic medication use for three

days after total joint replacement surgery. The hypothesized relational statements were

based on the need for quantitative data collection measuring the relationships between

spirituality, health assessment, pain report and analgesic medication use. There is no

previous empirical research that has examined these relationships in the postoperative

arthroplasty patient. The study sample consisted of 115 participants scheduled for hip or

knee arthroplasty in a large Southeastern teaching hospital. This chapter will present a

discussion of (1) research findings, (2) conclusions, (3) research strengths and

weaknesses, and (4) implications for nursing practice.

 Research Findings

 This section will discuss sample characteristics, followed by study of findings as

they related to the research questions.

Sample Characteristics

 One hundred and fifteen older adults who were scheduled for hip or knee total joint

arthroscopy consented to participate in this study. All of the participants were recruited

from the pre-surgical anesthesia center of a large teaching hospital. In this convenience