Study to Assess the Effectiveness of Planned Teaching Programme on Advanced Cardiac Life Support Among Students of B.Sc. Nursing Final Year in Selected Nursing College of Indore (M. P)

Abstract

Especially in critical care units of hospitals, with the advancing science and technology on par with doctors, the nurses should upgrade their knowledge. The Nurses must be able evaluate life threatening cardiac arrhythmias on the electrocardiogram and to perform life saving and emergency resuscitation measures if necessary without the aid of the doctor on standing orders. There are many emergences in the life of human being like stroke, poisoning, accidents, suicide, injury, medication error, shock and cardiac arrest. Among these cardiac arrest deaths remain major cause of mortality. Cardiac arrest can result from a primary airway obstruction, respiratory inadequacy and cardiac abnormalities or can be secondary to a life – threatening illness that comprises the airway, breathing or circulation. The three basic mechanisms of cardiac arrest are ventricular fibrillation, asystole and pulse less electrical activity. Among them the Ventricular fibrillation is the most common cause of cardiac arrest. ACLS is an advanced classroom course that develops the importance of team dynamics and communication between nurses and other health care providers. It also covers airway management and related pharmacology and systems of care and immediate post-cardiac-arrest care. In this course, skills are taught in large, group sessions and small, group learning and testing stations where case-based scenarios are presented. In most developed countries, cardiac life support skills were taught in schools and colleges as it could help to save the life of a person in the event of an emergency. In India, it is extremely important for all professionals handling critical areas to undergo periodic training in such skills and keep themselves upgraded in ACLS. In the hospitals nurses frequent witness the cardiac arrest. They may play a vital role in effective management.