EVALUATION OF CRITICAL CARE NURSES COMPETENCE IN APPLICATION OF GLASGOW COMA SCALE (GCS); A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Background: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a tool that requires knowledge in order to assess a patient's level of consciousness and identify any early signs of deterioration. Every aspect of nursing practice is built on the application of critical thinking along with expertise and understanding in GCS assessment.  The purpose of this study was to ascertain what knowledge have nurses in critical care settings regarding the Glasgow Coma Scale. Methods: A quasi experimental study was conducted between July to December 2023 among 60 nurses working in the critical care settings of tertiary care hospitals of Islamabad using purposive sampling technique. Data was collected by using structured, self-administered pre and post questionnaire. Results: In the pre-test 25% nurses were having poor knowledge, 61.69% nurses were having average knowledge and 13.31% nurses were having good knowledge regarding GCS in pretest questionnaire.  After giving teaching session regarding GCS knowledge, 20% nurses were having good knowledge and 80% nurses were having excellent knowledge in the post test. Conclusions: In the pre-test that majority of nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge regarding GCS. However, after teaching session regarding on the GCS knowledge this level was satisfactory which was assessed in post-test