An Evaluation of Glasgow Coma Scale Knowledge Among ICU Nurses in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan: A Quantitative Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a widely used clinical tool for objectively measuring impaired consciousness in various acute medical and trauma conditions. This study aimed to explore the significance of assessing GCS knowledge among nurses. The research was conducted at PNS Shifa Hospital Karachi, situated in DHA Phase-II near Korangi Road Karachi, which provides training courses for medical professionals in the Pakistan Navy. The study employed a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional design. The findings of this study revealed that among the nurses at PNS Shifa Hospital, 63.33% possessed a high level of knowledge regarding GCS, while 35% had a moderate level, and only 1.67% had a low level of knowledge. Additionally, the study identified that nursing students at PNS Shifa Hospital exhibited varying levels of GCS knowledge, with up to 50% having a low level, 60 to 80% having a moderate level, and 80 to 100% demonstrating a high level of understanding. Furthermore, the study included demographic data indicating that out of the total participants, 20 were male and 40 were female nurses. In terms of age distribution, 40 nurses fell within the 20-25 years age group, while 20 nurses were between 26-30 years old. Moreover, the educational qualifications of the participants included 25 nurses with a General Nursing (GN) diploma, 2 with an advanced diploma after GN, and 38 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)/Post Navy and Allied Navies. This study highlights the importance of assessing GCS knowledge among nurses in the clinical setting. The findings underscore the need for targeted educational interventions to improve the understanding and application of the GCS scoring system, which serves as a crucial tool for decision-making and triage in assessing compromised consciousness levels.