Assessment of Nurses’ Knowledge and Practices Regarding Nursing Interventions in the Management of Sepsis in Critical Care Settings

Abstract

Introduction: Sepsis is a serious condition that needs to be identified and addressed early, especially in critical care. Nurses are important in early recognition and treatment of sepsis and influence patient outcomes. Inconsistencies in knowledge and practice among nurses for the management of sepsis are still a problem. This research seeks to evaluate the knowledge and practice of nurses in relation to nursing interventions for the management of sepsis in critical care areas. Through the identification of these gaps, the research aims to recommend evidence-based strategies for enhancing sepsis care and nursing practice, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes in critical care settings. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 98 nurses working in critical care settings. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire assessing their knowledge and practices regarding sepsis management. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used to analyze the data, identifying knowledge gaps and variations in practice based on demographic factors and professional experience. Result: The study found that nurses had moderate knowledge of sepsis recognition but limited knowledge of advanced management practices, such as early antibiotic administration and lactate monitoring. Experience in critical care positively correlated with better sepsis knowledge and practices. Despite this, gaps were identified in documentation and adherence to sepsis protocols, indicating the need for targeted training and institutional support to improve care. Conclusion: The research identifies important knowledge and practice gaps among nurses in sepsis management in critical care. Targeted training and continuous education on sepsis protocols are critical to improve nursing practices, patients' outcomes, and close the knowledge-practice gap, particularly for novice nurses.