Exploring nurses’ knowledge of basic life support guideline of American Heart Association: a local study

Objective: Awareness of the changes concerning the clinical guidelines for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is essential for nurses. This study aimed at assessing the nurses’ knowledge of the 2015 American Heart Association basic life support guideline algorithm. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, the knowledge of 183 nurses working in emergency departments, intensive care unit (ICU) and coronary care unit (CCU) regarding the 2015 American Heart Association basic life support guideline algorithm was investigated. Data were collected by a 20-item questionnaire regarding the knowledge needed for resuscitation operations as well as the identification of the early stages of cardiac arrest. Nurses with a score of 10 and less were put in the poor group, 11-15 in the fair group, and score of more than 15 in the good group. Results: Results showed that the highest percentage of the right answer was observed in questions 20 (98.4%), 11 (93.4%), and 1 (88%), while the lowest percentage of the correct answer was found in questions 13 (30.6%), 2 (31.1%), and 3 (32.8%). Mean ± SD of knowledge score was 12.3±2.2. A statistically significant difference was observed between knowledge of ICU nurses with an experience of basic life support educational course and those with no experience of such education. The knowledge score of educated and non-educated nurses was 11.5±2.2 and 13.2±2.5, respectively. Conclusion: This study indicated that ICU nurses do not have enough knowledge about basic life support of the 2015 American Heart Association guideline. Development of knowledge is one of the important components of professional expansion in nursing education programs.