A cross-sectional survey of knowledge pertaining to IV fluid therapy and hyponatraemia among nurses working at emergency departments in Denmark
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A cross-sectional survey of knowledge pertaining to IV fluid therapy and hyponatraemia among nurses working at emergency departments in Denmark. / Sindahl, Per; Overgaard-Steensen, Christian; Wallach-Kildemoes, Helle; De Bruin, Marie Louise; Kjær, Maj Brit Nørregaard; Kemp, Kaare; Gardarsdottir, Helga.
In: International Emergency Nursing, Vol. 57, 101010, 2021.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - A cross-sectional survey of knowledge pertaining to IV fluid therapy and hyponatraemia among nurses working at emergency departments in Denmark
AU - Sindahl, Per
AU - Overgaard-Steensen, Christian
AU - Wallach-Kildemoes, Helle
AU - De Bruin, Marie Louise
AU - Kjær, Maj Brit Nørregaard
AU - Kemp, Kaare
AU - Gardarsdottir, Helga
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s)
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Introduction: Inappropriate fluid therapy may induce or worsen existing hyponatraemia with potentially life-threatening consequences. Nurses have an important role in assisting physicians in IV fluid prescribing. However, research is lacking in Denmark about nurses’ knowledge pertaining to IV fluid therapy and hyponatraemia. Methods: An explorative cross-sectional survey was performed among Danish emergency department nurses in Spring 2019. Knowledge about IV fluid therapy was assessed for three common clinical scenarios, and multiple-choice questions were used to measure knowledge about hyponatraemia. Results: 112 nurses responded to all scenario questions corresponding to 6.2% (112/1815) of the total population of nurses working at emergency departments in Denmark. In two of the three scenarios, a minority of nurses (8–10%) inappropriately selected hypotonic fluids. Nearly one third (31%) selected a hypotonic fluid for a patient with meningitis, which is against guideline recommendations. The study revealed limited knowledge about severe symptoms of hyponatraemia, patients at high risk, and hyperglycaemia-induced hyponatraemia. Conclusion: In accordance with guideline recommendation, the majority of nurses did not select hypotonic fluids in three clinical scenarios commonly encountered in the emergency department. However, when setting up an educational program, further awareness is needed regarding symptoms of hyponatraemia, high-risk patients, and hyperglycaemia-induced hyponatraemia.
AB - Introduction: Inappropriate fluid therapy may induce or worsen existing hyponatraemia with potentially life-threatening consequences. Nurses have an important role in assisting physicians in IV fluid prescribing. However, research is lacking in Denmark about nurses’ knowledge pertaining to IV fluid therapy and hyponatraemia. Methods: An explorative cross-sectional survey was performed among Danish emergency department nurses in Spring 2019. Knowledge about IV fluid therapy was assessed for three common clinical scenarios, and multiple-choice questions were used to measure knowledge about hyponatraemia. Results: 112 nurses responded to all scenario questions corresponding to 6.2% (112/1815) of the total population of nurses working at emergency departments in Denmark. In two of the three scenarios, a minority of nurses (8–10%) inappropriately selected hypotonic fluids. Nearly one third (31%) selected a hypotonic fluid for a patient with meningitis, which is against guideline recommendations. The study revealed limited knowledge about severe symptoms of hyponatraemia, patients at high risk, and hyperglycaemia-induced hyponatraemia. Conclusion: In accordance with guideline recommendation, the majority of nurses did not select hypotonic fluids in three clinical scenarios commonly encountered in the emergency department. However, when setting up an educational program, further awareness is needed regarding symptoms of hyponatraemia, high-risk patients, and hyperglycaemia-induced hyponatraemia.
KW - Administration practice
KW - Fluid therapy
KW - Hyponatraemia
KW - Intravenous fluids
KW - Knowledge
KW - Nurse
U2 - 10.1016/j.ienj.2021.101010
DO - 10.1016/j.ienj.2021.101010
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 34139392
AN - SCOPUS:85107753367
VL - 57
JO - International Emergency Nursing
JF - International Emergency Nursing
SN - 1755-599X
M1 - 101010
ER -
ID: 273633759