Evaluation of triage practices of nursing students by using dyspnea scenarios in emergency unit

Aim: This research was carried out to evaluate the triage practices of nursing students about patient scenarios applying dyspnea in the emergency services. Material and Method: The first part of the research was conducted between 22.02.2016 - 30.02.2016, and the students who received triage education in the similar content formed the universe. The sample consisted of two groups of students who were practicing in the simulation lab (simulation group, n = 38) and non-simulated group (n = 38) who were willing to participate in the research. Personal information form and study evaluation forms were used to obtain data. Students who participated in the study were asked to select the correct triage area as a result of evaluation of the vital findings (blood pressure, pulse rate, number of breaths, fever and SPO2, lung sounds) given by the patients with complaints of emergency service application through the given scenarios (Pneumothorax, COPD). The data of 76 students participating in the study were evaluated by SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 17 statistical software package program. Results: In the pneumothorax scenario, 48 of all students selected the yellow triage card and gave the correct answer. In the COPD scenario, 58 of all students gave the correct answer by choosing the red triage card (N = 76). There was no statistically significant difference in the selection of triage cards between the two groups (pneumothorax, p = 0.154, p = 0.280). Statistically significant difference was found in the group that did not use the simulation when assessing respiratory effort (p=0.006). Conclusion: It was seen that the nursing students were successful in applying triage to the patients who were suffering from dyspnea. Regardless of the application training they received, it was seen that the success rates were parallel. It is suggested that the work be improved and reproduced with different scenarios.