Assessing Nursing Students Knowledge on Mechanical Ventilation Patient Care: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives One-third of ICU patients worldwide require mechanical ventilation (MV), which, despite its lifesaving benefits, comes with significant side effects and complications. Annually, 2 to 3 million ICU patients undergo MV at a cost of $15–27 billion. Mortality rates range from 24% in those aged 15–19 to 60% in those aged 85 and above. Global studies reveal that ICU nurses' knowledge of MV is generally poor, even in high-income countries with advanced nursing education. This study aims to assess nursing students' knowledge of MV care and its association with demographic variables. Material and Methods Using a quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional design and universal sampling, the study surveyed 226 nursing students through a structured knowledge questionnaire. Results Baseline characteristics showed 81% female and 19% male participants, including 83 fourth-year B.Sc., 94 fifth-semester B.Sc., and 43 third-year GNM students. ICU exposure varied, with 15.9% having 3–6 days, 70.5% over 9 days, and 13.2% with 7–9 days. Results indicated that 53.7% of students had excellent knowledge, 42.3% average, and 4% poor, primarily due to ICU exposure. Chi-square tests showed significant associations between knowledge levels and both course year (P=0.04) and ICU exposure duration (P=0.001). Conclusion The study concludes that nursing students' MV care knowledge varies by study year and ICU exposure duration, with fourth-year B.Sc. students and those with longer ICU exposure demonstrating higher knowledge levels. Increased ICU exposure is recommended to enhance nursing students' knowledge.