Knowledge regarding nitric oxide therapy among nurses at selected hospitals, Chennai

Acute respiratory distress syndrome is characterized by an inflammatory process of the alveolar–capillary membrane that may arise from a primary lung disease or be secondary to number of systemic disease processes^1. Nitric oxide is known to have a multitude of other effects on various cells in the body as well. Yet, it is commonly believed that when delivered by inhalation, the effect of nitric oxide is limited to the lungs. As NO is exposed to the bloodstream, it binds rapidly and with a high affinity to haemoglobin, which then inactivates it². The aim of the study was to assess the level of knowledge regarding Nitric oxide therapy among nurses.

A cross sectional descriptive correlational research design was adopted to assess the knowledge of nurses on Nitric oxide therapy. An extensive review of literature and guidance from the experts formed the foundation to the development of the tools such as demographic variables proforma, MCQ questionnaire on Nitric oxide therapy in google form. The present study was conducted in selected tertiary care center at Chennai, among 60 nurses selected by purposive sampling technique. After obtaining setting permission and research participants’ consent, a brief introduction of the research was given. Then the data were collected using the predetermined tools through email using google forms. The collected data were organized and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

More than half of nurses had adequate overall knowledge on nitric oxide therapy (55%), majority of them had adequate knowledge in nitric oxide therapy (60%) and nurses’ responsibility (63.33%). Around half of them had adequate knowledge in drug related side effects

(46.67%) and its causative agents (50%).

The present study reveals the necessity for continuous nursing education for knowledge update regarding importance of nurses regarding nitric oxide therapy.