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Critical care nurses' knowledge and practice regarding life-threatening ventricular dysrhythmias

Nahla Shaaban Khalil*, Hala Ahmed Abd Rahman & Eman yaser Hamouda

Background: Life-threatening ventricular dysrhythmia is the most common fatal dysrhythmias encountered in coronary care units. The ability of the nurse to quickly analyze abnormal ECG rhythm as well as initiating appropriate intervention is critical. The aim of the study was to assess the nurses' knowledge and practice related to management of life-threatening ventricular dysrhythmias. Methods: A descriptive exploratory design was utilized and conducted in all available coronary care units at a teaching university hospital in Egypt including 41 nurses working in these units. Nurses' baseline, knowledge questionnaire and observational checklists regarding dysrhythmia management were utilized. Results: Most of the studied nurses have got unsatisfactory knowledge level and practices concerning management of life-threatening ventricular dysrhythmias. Moreover, nurses' practices were positively correlated with knowledge, age and years of experience. Conclusion and recommendations: It can be concluded that critical care nurses' knowledge and practices regarding life-threatening ventricular dysrhythmias were inadequate and need to be improved. As well, enrichment of nurses' knowledge and practice regarding lethal dysrhythmias detection and management is highly recommended with replication of this study on a larger probability sample from the different geographical locations of in Egypt.