Pressure Injury Knowledge and Attitudes of Senior Nursing Students

Abstract

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To describe the pressure injury (PI) knowledge and attitudes of senior nursing students (SNSs). METHODS This study used a descriptive and cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of SNSs involved in a nursing program in the Aegean region of Turkey. The authors collected data using a student information form, the Turkish version of the Attitude towards Pressure Ulcer Prevention instrument, and the Turkish version of the Pressure Ulcer Prevention Knowledge Assessment Instrument. RESULTS One hundred seventy SNSs were included; 50% had experience preventing PI, 14.1% had provided care to patients with PIs, and 21.2% had staged PIs. The SNSs’ average PI prevention knowledge score was 13.06 ± 2.94 (50.3% correct), and only 20.5% (n = 35) of the SNSs answered questions at an acceptable proficiency level (60%). The mean Attitude towards Pressure Ulcer Prevention score of the SNSs was 39.38 ± 2.73 (75.7% correct). CONCLUSIONS The results of the research indicated that the SNSs’ knowledge about preventing PI was insufficient, although their attitudes toward PI prevention were positive. Because adequate training on PI is important for patient care, students’ knowledge deficiencies regarding PIs should be identified and addressed.