Nurses’ knowledge and Practice Regarding Care of Patients with Hypovolemic Shock in the Intensive Care Unit

Background: Hypovolemic shock can lead to significant complications. Nurses play a pivotal role in caring for patients with hypovolemic shock. The nursing role begins with rapid assessment and management. Aim: To assess nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding caring for patients with hypovolemic shock in the Intensive Care Unit. Research Design: A descriptive exploratory research design was utilized. Setting: This study was conducted in the Hehia Central Hospital intensive care unit in Egypt. Subjects: A convenient sample (100) of nurses. Tools: Two tools were used to collect data in this study, Tool I: the nurses’ self-administered questionnaire. Tool II: the nurses’ observational checklist regarding caring for patients with hypovolemic shock. Results: 59.0% of studied nurses had an unsatisfactory level of knowledge regarding the care of patients with hypovolemic shock in the intensive care unit, 56.0% of nurses had an incompetent practice level regarding the care of patients with hypovolemic shock in the intensive care unit .There was a very strong positive correlation between total nurses’ practice level and total nurses’ knowledge level. Conclusion: It can be concluded that less than half of the nurses had a satisfactory level of knowledge and demonstrated a competent practice level regarding the care of patients with hypovolemic shock in the intensive care unit. There was a highly statistically significant relationship between nurses' knowledge and practice levels regarding the care of patients with hypovolemic shock in the intensive care unit. Recommendations: Conduct periodic educational interventions on knowledge and practices for nurses in an Intensive Care Unit.