Knowledge and perception of nurses regarding fluid and electrolyte balance in intensive care units

Abstract

Background: Fluid balancing activities must be accurately monitored as part of the patient's baseline information, which informs medical and nursing interventions to attain physiological stability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore nurses’ knowledge and perception of maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance. Methods: Descriptive design was used to conduct this study. Settings: This study was conducted at Maternity and Children Hospital, Makkah City, Saudi Arabia. Sample: A convenient sample of 66 nurses was represented in this study. The data were collected through a structured interview online questionnaire to assess nurses' knowledge and perception of maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance. Results: The findings revealed that all studied nurses were female (100%) and more than half of the studied sample was Saudi Arabian (56.1%). More than half of the studied sample had correct knowledge about the average urine output, the required amount of fluid intake per day, and normal measurement of CVP (60.6%, 59.1%, and 53.0% respectively). The majority of studied nurses reported that time management, workload, lack of skills, training, and lack of communication with other healthcare workers are affecting fluid balance monitoring.