Abstract

Introduction: In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest (IHCA) is a critical emergency that occurs unpredictably and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Nurses play a crucial role as first responders in managing, especially when it comes to the administration of medications such as epinephrine and amiodarone, which are essential for restoring circulation and managing life-threatening arrhythmias. The effectiveness of these medications is dependent on early and correct administration in line with Advanced Life Support (ALS) guidelines. This study aims to assess nurses’ knowledge of pharmacological interventions in IHCA and the impact of this knowledge on patient outcomes.
Methods: This study was conducted in a hospital setting, involving nursing staff from various departments. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire, with the responses analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0 software. To describe the quantitative variables, central tendency and spreading focus methods were used. Categorical variables were described through frequency tables. To assess the correlation between categorical variables, chi-square and Fisher tests were used and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
Results: The findings indicated a significant correlation between nurses’ education on ALS protocols and their knowledge of drug administration during IHCA. Nurses with formal training in Basic Life Support (BLS), Immediate Life Support (ILS), and Advanced Life Support (ALS) showed improved understanding of medication administration, resulting in better adherence to guidelines during resuscitation.
Discussion: The study underscores the importance of continuous education and training for nurses to ensure adherence to ALS guidelines. Regular participation in certified courses, such as BLS, ILS, and ALS, is recommended to enhance nurses’ ability to manage cardiopulmonary arrest effectively. This research highlights the need for standardized training programs to improve outcomes in IHCA.

Keywords:Nurses’ knowledge; Cardiac arrest drugs; IHCA; BLS; ILS; ALS; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Abbreviations:BLS: Basic Life Support; CPR: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; ACLS: Advanced Cardiac Life Support; ILS: Immediate Life Support; ALS: Advanced Life Support