The determination of nurses views of knowing the myocardial infarction

Background: Myocardial infarction is when cardiac muscle cells die from a lack of oxygen. In acute coronary syndrome, blood vessels harden, and arteries become clogged by thrombuses, restricting blood flow. Many people who have chest pain, shortness of breath, and profuse sweating have an acute myocardial infarction, these symptoms may be possible for other diseases. Also, not all people who feel pain in their chest have an acute myocardial infarction. A 12-lead electrocardiogram and cardiac enzymes should be obtained as soon as possible when a patient presents symptoms and a full clinical evaluation. Doctors and nurses have an important role in identifying heart attacks and advising patients on how to avoid it through early diagnosis and suggesting preventative measures. Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine the views of nurses about knowing myocardial infarction. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in Al-Sader Teaching Hospital in Basra City in the coronary care wards, the emergency, intensive care unit, and the internal medicine unit, in addition to the catheterization unit. The study included a non-probability sample of 100 nurses working in the units above. The study data were collected from February to March 2022. The researcher created a questionnaire designed for data collection forms after reviewing the literature and relevant sources. The first part includes demographic information for the nursing staff generally, including their ages, sexes, years of clinical experience, level of education, marital statuses, places of employment, and whether or not they have worked in the cardiac unit before. In regards the second part comprehensive general information about the topic of Myocardial infarction consisted of 29 items. And statistical analysis was performed on the collected data using descriptive statistics, such as percentages and frequencies, were used in the analysis of the results. Results: The study showed that 56% of the sample females, with an average age of 19–28 years accounted for 63%, and the level of education, with the majority in secondary school nursing 42%. And the years of nursing experience were less than a year 37%. The majority did not participate in a training course 87%. And 34 % of the participating nursing employees work in the internal medicine unit, and 47% of the nurses participating in the research did not follow up or update their information, Also, only 16% of the nursing staff worked in coronary care units previously. 57% of respondents do not know that myocardial infarction causes heart failure and cardiogenic shock, in addition to cardiac arrest. 15% of the participants knew that chest pain was one of the most common symptoms of myocardial infarction. 16% of nurses know that patients' health becomes better when they receive high-quality nursing care for patients with myocardial infarction. And 60% of the participants did not know that myocardial infarction can be reduced by taking lipid-lowering drugs, 46% of the staff knew that monitoring vital activities, conducting an electrocardiogram, oxygen saturation, and others are important for a patient with a myocardial infarction. 38% of nurses do not know that the most common cause of myocardial infarction is plaque rupture from atherosclerosis. 38% of nurses were know that body mass index can be assessed to determine whether or not a patient is obese and therefore at risk for a myocardial infarction. About half of the respondents 57% were did not know that myocardial infarctions typically cause a diffuse, constant discomfort that lasts longer than 20 minutes regardless of body position. Conclusion: Findings from the study indicated that nurses' knowledge fell short of expectations or did not reach the required level because of insufficient training and experience among nursing staff. The study recommended allowing nursing staff to complete their studies in nursing colleges and activating training courses and educational programs for nurses.