Nurses' Performance Regarding Care of Patients with Bleeding Esophageal Varices

Abstract

Background: Esophageal varices are enlarged or swollen veins that occur on the lining of the esophagus. Varices can be life-threatening if they break open and bleed. Aim: This study was conducted to assess nurses' performance (knowledge, practice and attitude) while caring of patients with bleeding esophageal varices. Design: An exploratory descriptive design was utilized to achieve the aim of the study. Setting: The study was conducted at medical ICU and hematemsis unit at Zagazig University Hospitals. Study subject: A convenient sample of (30) nurses working in the previously mentioned units within 6 months. Tools: three tools were used including: I- Nurses' self-administered questionnaire used to assess nurses’ knowledge and demographic characteristics of the study nurses. II- Likert scale used to assess nurses’ attitude in caring of patients with bleeding esophageal varices. III- Nurses' observational checklist used to assess nurses’ practice in caring of patients with bleeding esophageal varices. Results: 65.7% and 53.33% of nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge and practice, while 60% of them had a positive attitude regarding caring of patients with bleeding esophageal varices. Conclusion: there was a highly statistically significant relation between total nurses’ knowledge and practice. Recommendations: Further research are recommended to study new approaches in the area of care and management of patients with bleeding esophageal varices and evaluate its reflection on patient’s outcomes.