A Descriptive Study On The Assessment Of Knowledge Among Staff Nurses On Parenteral Nutrition Administration In A Tertiary Care Hospital At Salem District

Abstract

The modem era has achieved various bench marks in the field of health care. To meet the expectations and to face the tough situations, the nurses also need to be knowledgeable and competent in all spheres of handling critically ill patients. A descriptive study was conducted to gain insight into nurse's knowledge related to Parenteral Nutrition administration in a tertiary care hospital at Salem district. The objectives of the study were to assess the knowledge of staff nurses regarding Parenteral Nutrition administration, to assess its relationship with selected variables, and to find out deficit areas on Parenteral Nutrition administration. A descriptive design was used for the study. Data was collected from 112 staff nurses by using purposive sampling and by using knowledge questionnaire. The collected data was then organized in the form of tables, analyzed and interpreted using descriptive and inferential statistics. The frequency and percentage distribution of staff nurses according to their knowledge score regarding parenteral nutrition administration were assessed. The maximum number of staff nurses 46.4% had good knowledge, 13.4% of the staff nurses had excellent knowledge whereas 35.7% had average knowledge and only very few 4.5% had below average score regarding parenteral nutrition administration. The knowledge deficit staff nurses can encourage and support through continuing education programs and in-service training programs. Therefore, it is necessary to support the knowledge level of staff nurses on patient nutrition support with guidelines and practical training on parenteral nutrition administration.