Does nursing expertise contribute to the accuracy of vascular assessment in the detection of peripheral arterial disease?

This study determined the accuracy of pulse palpation and ankle-brachial pressure measurements (ABI) among nurses with different levels of expertise. This knowledge is clinically relevant because these tests are the basis for diagnosing the presence or absence of arterial occlusive disease in the legs. Seventy-six nursing participants with a variety of experience—novice n = 14, advanced beginner n = 22, competent n = 12, proficient n = 16, and expert n = 12—performed arterial assessments prior and after training. Accuracy among each level of experience improved significantly (76.5% pre-training and 83.2% post training), with the expert nurses having the most accurate findings. Significant difference exist amongst each group (p = 0.001. In conclusion, nursing skill on a CV unit varies, it is satisfactory although it needs to be evaluated regularly, and additional training is necessary to maintain competency.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Master

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Nursing

Grantor

Texas Woman's University

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Henderson-Everhardus, Maria C.

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Kernicki, Jeanette

Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember

• Symes, Lene

• Health and environmental sciences
• Arterial occlusive disease
• Pulse palpation

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/11274/11841

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:twu-ir.tdl.org:11274/11841