ÖZNUR ERBAY DALLI, GÜLBAHAR ÇALIŞKAN, HALİL ERKAN SAYAN, VAHİT DALKIZAN, YASEMİN YILDIRIM, FERDA KAHVECİ
Türk Yoğun Bakım Dergisi - 2025;23(2):118-127
Objective: Delirium is a common and often misdiagnosed condition associated with increased mortality and cognitive dysfunction in intensive care units. Critical care nurses have a unique opportunity as healthcare providers to assess for and early identify delirium. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of critical care nurses about delirium care. Materials and Methods: The study were conducted between April 2022-July 2022 with critical care nurses who had at least one year of experience working in three hospitals. The study data were collected with the Nurse Characteristic Form and Delirium Care Knowledge Questionnaire. Results: In total, 253 nurses completed the test. The overall mean score was 10.66±2.29 (possible range 0-16). Correct answers for the subject areas were as follows: (a) 71.1% in symptoms, types, and outcomes; (b) 71.4% in high-risk groups; (c) 81.5% in predisposing and precipitating factors; and (d) 42.7% in assessment and detection. The questions with a high percentage of wrong answers were related to delirium subtypes and assessment. Delirium knowledge scores increased significantly with increasing age and with greater work experience (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study reveal the need to improve the ability of critical care nurses to accurately identify and assess delirium by using valid tools.
