Nurse’s Knowledge and Practice Regarding Care of Fluids and Electrolytes Imbalance among Critically Ill Patients

Abstract

Background: Fluids and electrolytes and acid base balance are fundamental to the process of life. They are necessary to maintain health and function of all body system. Fluids are vital to all forms of life, they help maintain body temperature and cell shape, and they help transport nutrients, gases, and wastes. Electrolytes play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis within the body. The aim of this study: was to assess Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice Regarding Care of Fluids and Electrolytes Imbalance among Critically Ill Patients. Design: A descriptive exploratory research design was used to conduct this study.  Setting: This study was carried out at the ICU Medical and surgical units at El-Zagazig University Hospital. Subjects: A convenient sample of all available nurses (60) working in Critical Care Units at Emergency Hospital, Zagazig University who provide direct patient care, the available selected sample had different level of education. Tools: Data were collected through using two tools; I-Self-Administrated Interview Questionnaire. II-Observational Checklist. Results: two thirds of the studied nurses (66.7%) had unsatisfactory level of knowledge among studied nurses. On the other hand. 33% had satisfactory level of knowledge. Conclusion: The current study concluded that two thirds of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge regarding fluids and electrolytes imbalance. Additionally, more than half of them had competent practices regarding fluids and electrolytes imbalances. Recommendations: The necessity of providing critical care nurses with specialized training in fluids and electrolytes imbalance problems cannot be overstated. The study should be replicated on large sample and in different hospitals setting to generalize the results.