Effect of Self –Learning Package on Nurses' Knowledge and Practice Regarding Arterial Blood Gases Analysis for Critically Ill Patients

Background: Arterial blood gases analysis is major part of the diagnosis and management of the
oxygenation status, acid base balance, and ventilation in critically ill patients. Aim: The study aimed
to evaluate the effect of self-learning package on nurses' knowledge and practices regarding arterial
blood gases analysis for critically ill patients. Subject and methods: Quasi experimental research
design conducted at three intensive care units affiliated to Zagazig University Hospital; Surgical,
Anesthetic, Cardio and Chest intensive care units, using pretest/posttest and follow-up test
approach. Subject: A convenient sample of all available nurses with total number 60 was recruited
from the selected units. Tools of data collection: Two tools were used for collecting data:
Interviewing questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge and observational checklist to assess nurses'
practice regarding arterial blood gases analysis for critically ill patients. Results: There was a
statistically significant positive correlation between total knowledge and total practice scores of the
studied nurses. Preprogram (93.3%) of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge
while in post program (91.7%), and in follow-up (86.7%) had satisfactory level, Regarding practice
, pre-program (86.7%)of the studied nurses had unsatisfactory level , post- program (93.3) had
satisfactory, and while follow up (86.7%) had satisfactory level. Conclusion: The study finding
concluded that, implementation of self- learning package had highly statistical significance positive
effect on improving nurses' knowledge and practice scores regarding arterial blood gases analysis.
The main study recommendation: The importance of conduction the self- learning package in a
wider field including all hospitals to raise the efficiency of nursing care provided, and a further
study to be carried out in different settings on a larger sample for a wider utilization of the
developed package, in order to achieve generalization of the results.