Evidence-Based Investigation of Nurses' Nutrition Interventions in Intensive Care Patients Regarding Enteral Nutrition.

AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the practices and knowledge levels of nurses regarding enteral nutrition interventions in intensive care unit patients in terms of evidence. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2 hospitals between May and August 2021. A total of 136 nurses working in the intensive care units of the hospitals completed online questionnaires including demographic characteristics and questions about enteral nutrition. RESULTS: According to the nurses' knowledge level about the indication of enteral nutrition formulas, the following were incorrect or incomplete: their knowledge about transition to parenteral nutrition in case of nutritional contraindications, what to do when the amount of gastric residual volume in tolerance is >500 mL every 6 hours, the conditions for starting enteral nutrition, and which formulas are appropriate to use. Regarding their knowledge about enteral feeding tubes/sets, their knowledge about radiologic imaging after tube placement, measurement of gastric pH level, and marking the tube location was insufficient. Differently, the correct answer percentages of the nurses in 11 of the 13 questions regarding the principles of enteral nutrition practice were above 70%. CONCLUSION: Nurses had adequate knowledge of the principles of enteral nutrition practice, but their knowledge of the indication of enteral nutrition formulas and the evidence for enteral feeding tubes/sets varied. The results showed that nurses need to gain information about the indication of enteral nutrition formulas and evidence related to enteral feeding tubes/sets.

Perception of spiritual care among palliative care nurses: cross-sectional study in eastern Turkey.

BACKGROUND: Spiritual care is an integral part of palliative care. A nurse's perception of spiritual care is an effective factor for giving spiritual care. AIM: To determine the perception of spiritual care and the variables that might affect the perception of spiritual care among palliative care nurses. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 51 nurses working in the palliative care units. Perceptions of spiritual care was measured with the Spiritual Support Perception Scale. FINDINGS: The mean score of the perception of the spiritual care of the nurses was found to be 64.22±9.25. A negative correlation was found between the nurses' mean score of the perception of spiritual care and the number of patients to whom those nurses provided daily care. CONCLUSION: This study has found that palliative care nurses had a high level of perception of spiritual care. Based on the study results, it was determined that the number of patients receiving daily care was a predictor for the perception of spiritual care.

Care Burden and Quality of Life in Family Caregivers of Palliative Care Patients.

This research was conducted for the purpose of examining the care burden and quality of life in family caregivers of palliative care patients. The research design was a descriptive correlational study conducted with the caregivers of 163 patients residing in palliative care units. Data were collected via a demographic survey, The Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment (WHOQOL). The results showed that there was a negative correlation between ZBI and WHOQOL scores. Further, there was a significant negative correlation between many subdimensions of the ZBI (general quality of life, general perception of health, being satisfied with daily life skills, home conditions, energy and self-satisfaction) and the WHOQOL. Quality of life thus appeared to be reduced in family members with a high level of care burden and that the quality of life of caregivers depends on the individual characteristics of the caregiver. Social workers, nurses and physicians should regularly assess the burden and quality of life of caregivers.