Assessment of knowledge and practices for nurses about the autonomic dysreflexia syndrome in the spinal cord patients

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study is to assess the knowledge and practices for nurses that working in words of Ibn Al-kuff hospital for spinal cord injuries. Descriptive study from the period of [1st of July to the 30th August 2005] about the knowledge and practical management when autonomic dysreflexia syndrome affects those patients whom sleeping in the words of this hospital and its relationship with some variables. The sample of the study consists of [100] nurses male and females are selected purposively. a questionnaire check list was designed for study purpose and applied by [test - retest] to improve the reliability, the validity of the assessment was determined through a panel of experts. The data analyzed by using descriptive statistical approach [frequency, percentage, mean of score, test] and inferential data analysis approach [chi-square]. The finding of the study indicated that the large number of these nurses did not have enough knowledge and practices about autonomic dysreflexia syndrome management during its occurrence. The researchers suggested that especial education program should be developed and implemented for these nurses who work in the spinal cord injuries wards, the program should include, knowledge and practices relative to general, sings and symptoms, causes nursing intervention of the autonomic dysre flexia