Dawn L. Denny

My area of research seeks to improve outcomes for older adults through prevention of Postoperative Delirium, Pressure Injury Prevention, and Adequate Pain Management following orthopaedic surgery. Subsyndromal delirium occurs when subclinical symptoms of delirium are present not diagnostic of delirium. Advance age, cognitive impairment, functional status are know risk factors for delirium. Preliminary findings have identified age, cognitive status, a recent fall history, nutritional status, current smoking, and moderate to severe postoperative pain when opioid intake is accounted for as significant risk factors in prediction of delirium symptoms as well as delirium severity. A recently completed study in the dissemination phase evaluated the relationship of a delirium risk classifier score with delirium symptoms, delirium severity, and a high risk classification on the DRC prior to surgery. The DRC classifier would allow not only the postoperative care to be adapted but care to be geared toward delirium prevention in the operating room and post-anesthesia care unit that is provided by the multidisciplinary team during the perioperative period for patients.

Other areas of foci: Research Design and Quantitative Research methodology.

PUBLICATIONS:

Journal Articles, Peer Reviewed:

Sandhu, S. S., Denny, D. L., Owens, R. A., Jean, K., Liang, B., Fakir, M. H., Moreno Lozano, V., Molani, M., Labuhn, M., Vetsch, C., Tavakolian, K., Shaaban, R., Selvakumar, P. P. & Tavakolian, P. (in press). Evaluating alternating pressure air mattress effectiveness through measurement of skin redness and blood perfusion. Journal of Tissue Viability, 34, 3, 100904. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtv.2025.100904

Lozano, V. M., Denny, D., Owens, R., Sandhu, S. S., Fakir, M. H., Molani, M., Jean, K., Labuhn, M., Vetsch, C., Hanson, D., & Tavakolian, P. (2025). Comparative evaluation of pressure distribution of three support surfaces used for pressure injury prevention during prolonged surgeries. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnc.2025.02.003 (published online March 24, 2025 at https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0899588525000097?via%3Dihub)

Sanya, B., Denny, D., Owens, R., Lindseth, G., & Petros, T. (2025). Attitude and ‘self compassion and purpose’ as factors influencing nurses' intentions to engage in mindful self care in the perianesthesia setting. Journal of Perianesthesia Nursing (Accepted 2/18/2025).

Breckenridge-Trotter, T., Denny, D. L., Evanson, T. A., Ferraro, F. R., O‘Malley, P., & Bottomley, M. (2025). Stroke survivors’ and informal caregivers’ perceptions of depressive symptoms after stroke: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study. Current Psychology (published online April 2, 2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s2144-025-07580-x

Owens, R. A., & Denny, D. L. (2024). Prelicensure undergraduate nursing student perceptions on professional identity in nursing. Nursing Education Perspectives, 45(4),236-238. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001210

Denny, D. L., Lindseth, G., Petros, T., & Berg, J. A. (2024). Teaching statistics online: Competency-based learning vs traditional learning. Teaching & Learning in Nursing, 19(1),e170-e175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2023.10.008 

Juelich, J., Owens, R., Denny, D., Raatz, S. & Lindseth, G. (2023). Effects of sleep on adolescents’ appetite, dietary intake, and weight. Sage OPEN Nursing, 9, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/23779608231206753/

Yager, M., Clark, B. R., Gulley, N., & Denny, D. L. (2023) Delirium position statement. Orthopaedic Nursing, 42(3), 147-150. https://www.doi.org/10.1097/NOR.0000000000000940

Yager, M., Clark, B., Gulley, N., & Denny, D. L. (2023). Position statement: Delirium among orthopaedic or rehabilitative patients. Rehabilitation Nursing, 48(3), 87-90. https://doi.org/10.1097/RNJ.0000000000000413

Such, T. L., & Denny, D. L. (2021). Comfort and satisfaction among women who used different options for analgesia during labor and birth. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 50(6), 691-702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2021.07.001

Denny, D. L., Trotter, T., & Lindseth, G. (2020). Preoperative nutritional status and risk for subsyndromal delirium in older adults following joint replacement surgery. Orthopaedic Nursing, 39(6), 384-392. https://doi.org/10.1097/NOR.0000000000000710  [Awarded the NAON Teresa Pellino Research Writing Award, 2021]

Denny, D. L., & Lindseth, G. (2020). Pain, opioid intake, and delirium symptoms in older adults following joint replacement surgery. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 42(3), 165-176. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945919849096

Trotter, T., Denny, D. L., & Evanson, T. A. (2019). Reliability and validity of the Patient Health Questionaire-9 (PHQ-9) as a screening tool for poststroke depression (PSD). Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 51(3), 147-152. https://doi.org/10.1097/JNN.0000000000000442  

Denny, D. L., & Such, T. (2018). Exploration of the relationships between postoperative pain and subsyndromal delirium in older adults. Nursing Research, 67(6), 421-429.  https://doi.org/10.1097/NNR.0000000000000305

Denny, D. L., & Lindseth, G. (2017). Preoperative risk factors for subsyndromal delirium in older adults who undergo joint replacement surgery, Orthopaedic Nursing, 36(6), 404-413. https://doi.org/10.1097/NOR.00000000000000402

Lindseth, G., & Denny, D. L. (2014). Patients’ experiences with cholecystitis and a cholecystectomy. Gastroenterology Nursing, 37(6), 407-414. https://doi.org/10.1097/SGA.0000000000000072  

Denny, D. L., & Guido, G. (2012). Undertreatment of pain in older adults: An application of beneficence. Nursing Ethics, 19(6), 800-809. https://doi.org/10.1177/0969733012447015

Published Presentation Abstract:

Denny, D. L., Owens, R. A., Labuhn, M., Vetsch, C., Moreno Lozano, V., Fakir, H., Hanson, D., & Tavakolian, P. Pain and tissue perfusion among healthy adult participants with use of three surgical surfaces: A patient-centered approach. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 46(1S), 20S. https://doi.org/10.1177/01939459241233357

Trotter, T., Denny, D., Evanson, T., Ferraro, R., & O’Malley, P. (2024). Stroke survivors‘ and informal caregivers‘ perceptions of depressive symptoms after stroke: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 46(1S), 36S. https://doi.org/10.1177/01939459241233357

Denny, D. L., & Lindseth, G. (2017). Preoperative risks for subsyndromal delirium in older adults following orthopedic surgery [abstract only]. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 39(10), 1376-1377. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945917715261l

Other Works:

Denny, D. L. (2023). Research section. In NAON’s, Orthopaedic Nurse Practitioner Certification (ONP-C) review course. Chicago, IL: National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses.

Denny, D. L. (2020, November). “Tips for Success: Writing Proposals for the NAON Research Grant.” National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) [Webinar].

Denny, D. L. (2016), December). “Nuts and Bolts of Research for the Orthopaedic Nurse” National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) [Webinar].

Denny, D. L. (2014). Subsyndromal delirium and postoperative pain in older adults [Doctoral Dissertation, Ph.D.]. University of North Dakota (Proquest Dissertations and Theses, AAT 3681066).

SELECT PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS:

Invited Presentations:

Denny, D. L. “It’s all about the question: Research design”, 2023 American Association Occupational Health Nurses (AAOHN) National Virtual Conference (Oral presentation)

Kujath, A. S., Denny, D. L., & Fogg, L. “Working through the Research Process: A Hands on Approach to Clinical Problems”, selected competitive proposal for presentation at the 2019 National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) Congress, May 18-21, 2019, Atlanta, Georgia.

International/National:

Sanya, B. & Denny, D. L. (2025). “Exploring nurses' mindful self-care intentions using TPB approach.” (accepted for poster presentation at the ANCC National Magnet Conference and ANCC Pathway to Excellence Conference, Atlanta, GA, October 8-10, 2025).

Sandhu, S. S., Denny, D., Owens, R. A., Fakir, M. H., Jean, K., Lozano, V. M., Molani, M., Labuhn, M., Vetsch, Tavakolian, K., Hanson, D., & Tavakolian, P. “A multimodal approach to determining regions of interest when assessing APAMs (Dynamic Boundaries).” National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel Conference, SanAntonio, TX, February 27, 2025. (Poster presentation, 1st place Research category)

Molani, M., Fakir, M. H., Owens, R. A., Denny, D., Jean, K., Moreno Lozano, V., Labuhn, M., Vetsch, C., Tavakolian, K., & Tavakolian, P. “Effect of Support Surfaces on Sacral Blood Flow: A Comparative Study in Young Adults.” Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, Las Vegas, NV October 5, 2024. (e-poster presentation)

Sandhu, S. S., Denny, D., Owens, R., Fakir, M. H., Jean, K., Moreno Lozano, V., Molani, M., Labuhn, M., Vetsch, C., & Tavakolian, P. “Going beyond static regions of interest when assessing APAMs: The need for a nuanced approach (Dynamic boundaries).” Symposium on Advanced Wound Care, Las Vegas, NV October 4, 2024. (Poster & Oral presentation)

Denny, D. L., Owens, R. A., Labuhn, M., Vetsch, C., Moreno Lozano, V., Fakir, M. H., Hanson, D., & Tavakolian, P. “Tissue Perfusion and Pain with Use of Three Surgical Support Surfaces in Healthy Adult Participants.” National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses, Louisville, KY, May 18, 2024 (Podium presentation of poster, 1st place Research category)

Owens, R. A., Denny, D. L., Labuhn, M., Fakir, M. H., Vetsch, C., Moreno, V. L., Hanson, D., & Tavakolian, P. “Tissue Perfusion and Pain Among Healthy Adults: A Comparison of Three Surgical Surfaces.” National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel Conference, SanAntonio, TX, February 16, 2024. (Podium presentation, poster)

Moreno Lozano, V., Jean, K. L., Owens, R., Denny, D., Fakir, M. H., Labuhn, M., Vetsch, C., Jean, K. L., Tavakolian, K., Hanson, D., & Tavakolian, P. “A comparative analysis of three support surfaces: A preliminary analysis.”  Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) Fall, Las Vegas, NV (Poster presentation, Nov. 4, 2023).

Owens, R. A., & Denny, D. L. “Evaluation of Undergraduate Pre-licensure Nursing Students' Perceptions on Professional Identity in Nursing: A Descriptive Qualitative Study”, Nuts and Bolts Nurse Tim Conference, Minneapolis, MN (Poster presentation, August 10, 2023).

Denny, D. L. “Considering Being a Peer Reviewer for a Journal? Tips for Effective Reviews”, 2023 National Association Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON), Pittsburgh, PA (Podium presentation, May 6, 2023).

Denny, D. L. “Research Design: It's All About the Question", 2021 National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) Congress, August 5, 2021, Virtual Congress (On-Demand Webinar presentation).

Denny, D. L. “Patient and caregiver experiences of delirium: Application of the process of completing a literature review”, 2020 National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) Congress, Pittsburgh, PA, May 25-28, 2020 (Pre-recorded virtual conference session).

Denny, D. L. “Nutritional Status and Risk for Delirium Symptoms in Older Adults Following Joint Replacement Surgery”, selected for presentation at the 2019 National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) Congress, May 18-21, 2019, Atlanta, Georgia. (Poster presentation)

Denny, D. L. “Postoperative pain and delirium severity in older adults”, selected proposal for presentation at the 2018 National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) Congress, May 21, 2018, Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Podium presentation).

Denny, D. L., & Lindseth, G. “Preoperative risk factors for delirium symptoms in older adults following joint replacement surgery”, selected proposal for presentation at the 2017 National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) Congress, May 23, 2017, San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Podium presentation).

Denny, D. L, & Lindseth, G. “Postoperative pain and risk for delirium symptoms in older adults following joint replacement surgery” presented at the 2016 National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses Congress, May 23, 2016, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Podium presentation)

Regional Presentations:

Sanya, B., & Denny, D. L. (2025). “Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to assess intention to engage in mindful selfcare.” Inova Resilience Conference, Fairfax, VA, May 1, 2025 (Poster presentation).

Owens, R. A., & Denny, D. L. (2025). “Pre-licensure Nursing Student Perceptions on their Nurse Professional Identity.” MNRS 2025, Indianapolis, IN, March 29, 2025 (Podium presentation).

Denny, D. L. (2025). “Relationship between preoperative delirium risk classifier score and postoperative delirium symptoms.” MNRS 2025, Indianapolis, IN, March 28, 2025 (Podium presentation).

Sanya, B., & Denny, D. L. (2024). “Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to assess intention to engage in mindful selfcare.” Inova 2024 Nursing Research and EBP Symposium, Fairfax, VA, October 11, 2024 (Poster presentation, virtual).

Jemiyo, C., Hur, J., Jurivich, D., Denny, D., Lindseth, G., Afghah, Z., Johnson, M., Becker, J., & Downs, Z. (2024). “Analyzing Elderly Fall Risk Factors, with a Focus on Polypharmacy.” UND’s Northern Plains Biological Symposium: United by Science, Grand Forks, ND. (March 28, 2024, oral presentation)

Denny, D. L., Owens, R. A., Labuhn, M., Fakir, M. H., Vetsch, C., Moreno, V. L., Hanson, D., & Tavakolian, P. “Pain and Tissue Perfusion Among Healthy Adult Participants With Use of Three Surgical Surfaces: A Patient-Centered Approach.” Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) Annual Conference 2024, Minneapolis, MN, February 28, 2024 (Poster presentation).

Trotter, T., Denny, D. L., Evanson, T., Ferraro, F. R., & O’Malley, P. A. “Stroke Survivors’ and Informal Caregivers’ Perceptions of Depressive Symptoms after Stroke: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed-Methods Study” at the Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) Annual Conference 2024, Minneapolis, MN, February 28, 2024 (Poster presentation).

Fakir, M. F., Denny, D., Owens, R., Singh, S., Jean, K., Moreno Lozano, V., Labuhn, M., Vetsch, C., Tavakolian, K., Hanson, D., & Tavakolian, P. "Reducing Pressure Injury Occurrence in the Operating Room: A Comparative Study of Different Surgical Surfaces." Poster presentation at NDSU-UND annual Biomedical Engineering Symposium, NDSU, Fargo (Sep 30, 2023).

Smith, R., & Denny, D. L. “Social Determinants of Health and Prediction of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes” at the Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) Annual Conference 2023, Des Moines, IA, March 31, 2023 (Poster presentation).

Johnson, S., Owens, R. A., & Denny, D. L. “Simulation to Mitigate Moral Distress among Nurses: Engaging the Affective Domain” at the Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) Annual Conference 2023, Des Moines, IA, March 31, 2023 (Poster presentation).

Owens, R. A., & Denny, D. L. “Pre-licensure Undergraduate Student Learning Experiences and Professional Identity in Nursing Formation”, Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) Annual Conference 2023, Des Moines, IA, March 30, 2023 (Poster presentation).

Denny, D. L., Lindseth, G., Ferraro, R., & Petros, T. “Wellness and resilience of underrepresented, disadvantaged undergraduate students”, Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) Annual Conference 2023, Des Moines, IA, March 30, 2023 (Poster presentation).

Trotter, T., Denny, D., Evanson, T., Ferraro, F. R., & O’Malley, P. (2023). “Post-Stroke Depression: A Mixed-Methods Explanatory Sequential study of Stroke Survivors’ and Caregivers’ Perceptions. 14th Annual Premier Health Stroke Update, Dayton Ohio, September 29, 2023. (Podium presentation)

Denny, D. L., & Lindseth, G. (2023). “Teaching Statistics Online: Comparing Competency-Based and Traditional Learning”, 2023 CNPD Research & Scholarship Day, Grand Forks, ND, April 28, 2023 (Poster presentation)

Such, T. L., Denny, D. L., & Lindseth, G. “Comfort and Satisfaction among Women who use Different Options for Analgesia during Labor and Birth”, 2022 National Association of Women, Health Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses AWHONN Florida Student Symposium and Section Conference, Naples, FL, July 22, 2022 (Poster presentation).

Denny, D. L., Lindseth, G., & Petros, T. “Effectiveness of Mastery Learning on Statistics Knowledge and Self-Efficacy.” Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) Annual Conference 2022, Schaumburg, Illinois, March 31, 2022. (Poster presentation)

Sanya, B., & Denny, D. L. (Advisor). “Role of personality traits and resilience on retention among perianesthesia nurses.” MNRS Annual Conference 2022. [Poster presentation, April 1, 2022].

Denny, D. L., & Trotter, T.  “Preoperative Nutritional Status and Risk for Subsyndromal Delirium in Older Adults Following Joint Replacement Surgery”, accepted for podium presentation at the Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference 2019, March 27, 2019, Kansas City, Missouri. (Podium presentation)

Such, T., Denny, D. L., & Lindseth, G. “Impact of nitrous oxide use on birth satisfaction,” 2018 Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Minnesota Section Conference, April 12, 2018, Oakdale, MN (Poster presentation).

Denny, D. L. “Pain and delirium severity in older adults.” Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference 2018, April 13, 2018, Cincinnati, OH (Podium presentation).

Trotter, T., Evanson, T., & Denny, D. L. “Systematic review: Sensitivity and specificity of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 when screening stroke patients for post-stroke depression.” Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Conference 2018, April 14, 2018, Cincinnati, OH (Poster presentation).

Denny, D. L., & Lindseth, G. “Preoperative risks for subsyndromal delirium in older adults following orthopedic surgery.” MNRS Annual Conference, Minneapolis, MN, April 7, 2017. (Poster discussion presentation)

Denny, D. L., & Lindseth, G. “Subsyndromal delirium and postoperative pain in older adults following joint replacement surgery.” MNRS Annual Conference, March 18, 2016, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Podium presentation)

Orthopaedic Nurse Certified (ONC)

Honors and Awards

• 2025, May: Will be inducted as a Fellow of NAON (FNAON), by the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses.
• 2025, February, 3rd Place Award, “Moral Distress, a Wicked Problem: Exploring the Experiences of Rural Clinic Nurses.” University of North Dakota’s Online Graduate Research Achievement Day (GRAD) Showcase and Poster Competition, Grand Forks, ND. (Johnson, presenter; Owens/Denny, Co-Advisors).
• 2025, February, Best Clinical Research Poster Award, “A Multimodal Approach to Determining Regions of Interest when Assessing Air Mattresses.” NPIAP 2025 Annual Conference, Dallas, TX (Sandhu, presenter; Denny, PI/2nd author).
• 2024, October, 1st Place, Excellence Award (Research Category), “Using the Theory of Planned Behavior to assess intention to engage in mindful selfcare.” Inova 2024 Nursing Research and EBP Symposium, Fairfax, VA, Authors: Sanya & Denny (Advisor).
• 2024, September, Listed in 2024 Marquis Who’s Who. The Marquis Who’s Who Editorial Team.
• 2024, May, 1st Place Poster (Research Category), “Tissue Perfusion and Pain with Use of Three Surgical Support Surfaces in Healthy Adult Participants.”   National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) 2024 Congress, Louisville, KY (Denny, PI/1st author).
• 2024, February, Abstract was selected for Oral Presentation at NPIAP Conference, “Tissue Perfusion and Pain Among Healthy Adults: A Comparison of Three Surgical Surfaces”, Houston, TX, Authors, Owens (presenter) Denny (Co-author).
• 2023, May, Award: Outstanding Contribution to NAON, National Association of Orthopedic Nurses.
• 2022, January, Outstanding Professional Graduate Teaching Award Nominee, UND Founder’s Day.
• 2021, March: Teresa Pellino Research Writers Award, National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) 2024.
• 2020, December: Excellence in Nursing Research Award, Sigma Eta Upsilon, Grand Forks, ND.
• 2020, June: NIDUS Alumni Boot Camp Award, Network for Investigation of Delirium: Unifying Scientists, Boston, MA.
• 2020, May: Excellence in Nursing Education Award, Sigma Eta Upsilon, Grand Forks, ND.
• 2020, January: Outstanding Graduate Faculty Teaching Award, Nominee, UND Founder’s Day.
• 2019, May: 1st Place Poster (Research Category), “Nutritional Status and Delirium Symptoms in Older Adults Following Joint Replacement Surgery.” NAON, Atlanta, GA.
• 2019, May: Distinguished Service to NAON Award. NAON for service on the research committee.
• 2017, April: Distinguished Abstract Award: “Preoperative Risks for Subsyndromal Delirium in Older Adults following Orthopedic Surgery”, MNRS, Minneapolis, MN.

PhD (Nursing), University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND

B.S. (Nursing), Bethel University, St. Paul, MN