Nurses' Performance Regarding Caring Of Patient With Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Abstract

Diabetic ketoacidosis is an acute, major, life-threatening complication of diabetes, may be fatal if not treated quickly and appropriately. Nurses' knowledge and practice play important roles in provision of supportive care to decrease morbidity and mortality secondary to diabetic ketoacidosis. Aim of the study to assess nurses' performance regarding caring of patient with diabetic ketoacidosis. Study design: a descriptive exploratory design. Subjects and methods: Convenience sample of 40 nurses were recruited from Medical Intensive Care Unit at Makkah Hospital within 6 months’ duration. Tools: consisted of (1) Self-administered questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge regarding caring of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis, (2) Nurses' practice observational checklists to assess nurses' practice regarding caring of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis. The Results of this study revealed that, 75% of nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge as regards diabetic ketoacidosis and 85% of them had unsatisfactory level of practice. Conclusion This study concluded that, the majority of nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge and practice regarding caring of patients with di[1]abetic ketoacidosis. It was elicited that there was no statistically relation between overall nurses' knowledge and practice and demographic characteristics, also there was no statistically relation between total nurses' knowledge and practice. Recommendations: this study recommended; the importance of conducting In-service training advancing educational program for nurses caring of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis for improving their performance & quality of care provided for such group of patients.