Vol. 2, Issue 4, Part D (2016)

Abstract

A pressure ulcer is a localized injury to the skin or underlying tissues, usually over a bony prominence, as a result of pressure in combination with shear or friction occluding blood flow to that area. Pressure ulcers are used as an indicator of quality for long-term care facilities, and progression of pressure ulcers in hospitalized patients is often considered an avoidable complication representing failure of inpatient management. A descriptive study, therefore, was undertaken to assess the knowledge and practice of pressure ulcer among BSc nursing 3^rd year students in Sree Balaji College of Nursing, Chennai.

The sample consist of 60 students of BSc nursing 3^rd year were selected using purposive sampling technique. In order to assess their knowledge a self-structured questionnaire was developed. Self-made scoring system was used to categorize the participants as whether they have adequate knowledge, moderately adequate knowledge or inadequate knowledge on pressure ulcer. Results revealed that 6(10%) of BSc nursing 3^rd year students had adequate knowledge, 44(73.3%) of BSc nursing 3^rd year students had moderate adequate knowledge and 10(16.7%) had inadequate knowledge about pressure ulcer. Based on the results majority of the student nurses had moderately adequate knowledge, it is therefore recommended that the students nurses needs to upgrade their knowledge regarding pressure ulcer as they play a vital role in educating the public about pressure ulcer and caring for a pressure ulcer client. Student nurses should therefore be encouraged to update their knowledge through referring more books and through internet