A Study to assess the effectiveness of Self-Instructional Module on Third Space Fluid Shift and its Management among Critical Care Nurses at Selected Hospitals in Mysore

In a healthy adult, nearly all fluid is contained in the intracellular, intravascular, or interstitial spaces, with the intracellular space holding about two-thirds of total body water. Body fluids are distributed between the intracellular and extracellular fluid compartments. Abnormal changes in the distribution of these fluids lead to health problems. Thus being a nurse it's a necessity to understand these health issues.

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of self-instructional module on third space fluid shift and its management among critical care nurses at selected hospitals in Mysore.

In the study, quasi experimental non-equivalent control group pre test post test design was used and a non-probability convenient sampling technique was adopted to select 60 critical care nurses’, 30 in experimental and 30 in control group. Pilot study was conducted, the tool and study design were found to be feasible. The knowledge level was measured by using structured knowledge questionnaire. The tool was validated by experts and reliability was established using split half method. Self-instructional module was administered to experimental group. The data was collected and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results of the study revealed that, there was significant difference between the mean pre test and post test knowledge scores which was statistically tested using paired ‘t’ test (‘t’(29)=11.564; p<0.05) was found to be significant at 0.05 level of significance. The significance of difference between the post test knowledge scores among experimental and control group was statistically tested using independent ‘t’ test (‘t’(58) =1.67. p< 0.05) was found to be significant at 0.05 level of significance and inferred that the self-instructional module was effective in improving the knowledge level among critical care nurses. The results of the study also revealed that the knowledge level of the critical care nurses had no significant association with their selected personal variables.

Therefore, the study concluded that self-instructional module was effective in improving the knowledge level among critical care nurses. Hence the hospitals/institutions should give importance to staff development programs and thereby improve the knowledge level among critical care nurses’.