Effectiveness of a Training Programme on Knowledge Regarding ABG Sampling Technique and Its Interpretation Among ICU Nurses in Medanta Hospital, Gurugram, Haryana

Abstract

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis is an essential investigation in intensive care units (ICUs) for assessing patients’ oxygenation, ventilation, and acid–base balance. Nurses working in ICUs play a key role in ABG sampling and are often the first healthcare professionals to interpret the results; therefore, adequate knowledge and skill are crucial to avoid pre-analytical errors and misinterpretation that may compromise patient safety. The present study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a structured training programme on knowledge regarding ABG sampling technique and its interpretation among ICU nurses. A quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental pre-test and post-test design was adopted. The study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Gurugram, Haryana, among 100 ICU nurses selected through simple random sampling. Data were collected using a self-structured and validated knowledge questionnaire covering aspects of ABG sampling, normal values, and interpretation. Following the pre-test, a structured training programme was administered to the participants, and post-test knowledge was assessed after the intervention. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic variables and knowledge scores, while inferential statistics such as paired t-test and chi-square test were applied to evaluate the effectiveness of the training programme and the association between knowledge and selected demographic variables. The findings of the study revealed a significant improvement in post-test knowledge scores compared to pre-test scores (p < 0.05), demonstrating the effectiveness of the structured training programme. Significant associations were also observed between pre-test knowledge levels and selected demographic variables such as educational qualification and prior exposure to ABG-related training. The study concludes that structured and systematic training programmes are effective in enhancing ICU nurses’ knowledge regarding ABG sampling technique and interpretation. Regular in-service education and competency-based training are recommended to strengthen critical care nursing practice, reduce procedural errors, and improve patient outcomes in intensive care settings.

Keywords

Arterial Blood Gas; ABG sampling technique; ABG interpretation; ICU nurses; training programme; nursing education.