Comparison of knowledge and skills levels of nurses who take training on blood pressure measurement from the brachial artery, after and before training

This study was conducted as a pre-post-test observation study without a control group in order to determine the effectiveness of the trained in blood pressure measurement education by comparing the knowledge and skill levels of the nurses o who were from before and after the education. 49 nurses working at Kaçkar State Hospital were included in the study. Before starting the study, work permits were obtained from the ethics committee, Rize Provincial Health Directorate and the hospital, and informed consent was obtained from the nurses. Data were collected with nurse information form, brachial artery blood pressure measurement information test and, brachial artery blood pressure measurement observation form. Before the training, two observers watched the nurses three times during the blood pressure measurement and filled out the brachial artery blood pressure measurement observation form, and then the brachial artery blood pressure measurement knowledge test was applied to the nurses (pre-test). PowerPoint presentation and animation video created by the researcher were used as training material. Training materials were uploaded to the distance education system of the hospital and nurses were enabled to participate in the training online. Three weeks later, two observers followed the nurses again three times during blood pressure measurement and filled out the brachial artery blood pressure measurement observation form, and then the brachial artery blood pressure measurement knowledge test was applied to the nurses (post test). Frequency and percentage, standard deviation, dependent groups t test and independent groups t test were used in the analysis of the data. The nurses' knowledge score before the education was 11.20±2.92, and 16.73±2.70 after the education; skill score was determined as 18.74±3.17 before education and 23.90±3.31 after education. It was found that there was a statistically significant difference between the knowledge-skill scores of the nurses in the pre-test and post-test (p=0.001). As a result, it was determined that the training of blood pressure measurement from the brachial artery increased the knowledge and skills of the nurses. The preparation of the training material with technological methods that enable nurses to reach them at any time ensures that the training can be repeated. It is recommended to prepare regular trainings with evidence-based resources that nurses can easily access and make them available to nurses. Keywords: Information, Education, Nurse, Clinical skill, Measurement, Vital signs