Effect of an Instructional Package on Nurses’ Knowledge and Practice Regarding Uterotonic Drugs Administration and Labor Outcome

Abstract

Promoting and maintaining the health of the mother and her fetus is a major duty of the maternity nurse in order to ensure a safe delivery.

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of an instructional package on nurses’ knowledge and practice regarding uterotonic drugs administration and labor outcome.

Research Design: A Quasi-experimental design (pre-posttest) study design was utilized.

Setting: The study was carried out in the labor unit of the maternity hospital at Zagazig University Hospital, Sharqia Governorate, Egypt.

Sample: All available nurses (20 nurses) were included as well as a purposive sample of 100 parturient women. Tools: Tool I: A structured interview schedule which included two parts; Staff nurses’ socio-demographic characteristics and assessment of nurses′ knowledge regarding uterotonic drugs. Tool II: Observational checklist for nurses′ practice regarding uterotonic drugs administration. Tool III: A structured interview schedule for parturient women. Tool IV: Labor outcome assessment tool.

Results: The results revealed a significantly positive improvement in nurses’ knowledge and their practice consequently the maternal, fetal and also neonatal outcomes.

Conclusion: The implementation of the instructional package about uterotonic drugs administration can improve the maternity nurses' knowledge and practice and labor outcome.

Recommendations: Planning an in-service training program for all staff nurses to update, improve and refresh their knowledge and their practices depending on the recent evidence-based guidelines during labor.