International Journal of Research in Medical Surgical Nursing

Knowledge on Risk Factors of Coronary Artery Disease among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Meenu Lukose — 2026-01-16

Background: Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) are two of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide. People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease. A better understanding of the risk factors may improve the clinical management, prevention outcomes, etc. This study aimed to assess the knowledge on risk factors of coronary artery disease among patients with diabetes mellitus and to find the association between these factors and selected demographic variables.

Methodology: A quantitative non-experimental descriptive design was employed, involving a non-probability convenience sample of 150 diabetic patients. A structured questionnaire was administered for data collection to assess the knowledge on risk factors of coronary artery disease among patients with diabetic mellitus.

Result: Among the participants, the results indicated that 75.3% average knowledge, 22% had adequate knowledge, and 2.7% had inadequate knowledge regarding risk factors of coronary artery disease. Chi-square analysis showed no significant association between knowledge levels and demographic variables, including age, gender, education, occupation, dietary habits, duration of diabetes, comorbidities, alcohol and smoking habits, or exercise (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: This study found that most of the diabetic patients had average knowledge of coronary artery disease risk factors, with no significant association between knowledge levels and selected demographic variables. The results underscore the need for broad-based educational interventions to improve CAD awareness among diabetic patients, regardless of demographic differences.

Case Report on Leptospirosis and Weil’s Disease

Suraj Ghode — 2026-01-31

Background: Leptospirosis is a rare but potentially lethal disease, and Awareness has increased as a result of the recent, well-publicized passing of an Indian Olympic rower from it. of it. The resurgence of the disease abroad has been thoroughly reported in the literature, but the number of cases in the country is less well understood. Due to the rise in international travel and participation in water activities, as well as frequently a combination of the two, the exposure of tourists subsequently returning to the country from high prevalence areas has grown. One such zoonotic infection is leptospirosis. Animal urine releases the bacteria into the environment, where humans might become inadvertent hosts and become infected. The severity of the symptoms ranges widely, from a self-limited febrile sickness to catastrophic lung hemorrhage, renal, or hepatic failure. Every year, it is believed that cases go unrecognized in the country, in part because of clinicians' lack of awareness considering the difference in febrile sickness intensity as well as the mildness of the symptoms. The prevalence of leptospirosis throughout the nation is examined in this study from 2006 to 2010 is examined, along with its clinical signs, methods of diagnosis, and methods of treatment.

Case Presentation: A 42-year-old male was admitted with severe jaundice, high fever, and acute kidney injury following exposure to potentially contaminated water.

Nursing Intervention: Care focused on strict intake-output monitoring, administration of IV Penicillin, respiratory support, and daily assessment of liver and renal function markers to prevent systemic collapse.

Outcome: The patient recovered full renal function and showed significant improvement in hepatic markers, leading to discharge after 14 days of intensive treatment.

Conclusion: A high index of suspicion in patients with fever and jaundice is vital for the early treatment of Leptospirosis and the prevention of Weil's disease.

Evaluation of Nurses’ Understanding of Compartment Syndrome

Hawraa Hussain Yousif — 2026-02-11

Background: When left untreated, compartment syndrome is a condition that causes permanent secondary muscular and nerve ischemia and characterised by excruciating pain brought on by elevated extracellular pressure found in the confined compartment of the calf musculature, which hinders local circulatory.

Objective: This study's objective was to evaluate nurses' understanding of acute compartment syndrome.

Techniques: Between October 2023 and March 2024, a descriptive study was conducted to determine nurses' understanding of compartment syndrome. The Arabic version of the created questionnaire was used for data collection. All of the respondents who were part of the study sample were asked similar questions using the same questionnaire. The Muhammad Al-Moussawi Hospital, Bint Al-Huda Hospital, and Al Azhar Hospital in Nasiriyah City served as the study's setting—a selected sample of 50 nurses.

Results: The demographic features of the nurse sample are described in presented study. Age, gender, place of residence, and educational attainment are all included. Eighty percent of the sample is between the ages of twenty and twenty-nine; lesser proportion are between the ages of thirty and thirty-nine (18%) and forty and older (2%). A total of 50 nurses participated in the study. Overall knowledge levels were classified as poor (18%), moderate (52%), and good (30%). No statistically significant association was found between nurses’ knowledge and age or gender (p > 0.05). However, a statistically significant association was observed between knowledge level and residence (p = 0.009) as well as educational level (p = 0.013). It shows the frequency and percentage of nurses falling into each category. The table also shows no statistically significant association between total knowledge and questions.

Conclusions: It shows the domains in which the nurses' knowledge is moderate. The relationship between nurses' expertise and their educational attainment is statistically significant.

Beyond the Hospital Walls: Factors Influencing Caregiver Readiness for Discharge in Stroke Patients and Implications for Nurse Practitioner–Led Transitional Care

Anjalu Narzari — 2026-02-16

Stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, with early hospital discharge shifting complex caregiving responsibilities to family members who may be inadequately prepared. Caregiver readiness for discharge has emerged as a critical determinant of safe transitions from hospital to home, significantly influencing both patient and caregiver outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence on factors affecting caregiver readiness for discharge among stroke caregivers and explores implications for nursing and nurse practitioner–led transitional care. Caregiver readiness is a multidimensional construct encompassing physical ability, knowledge, emotional preparedness, coping capacity, confidence, and access to support resources. Evidence suggests that readiness is shaped by an interplay of caregiver socio-demographic characteristics, physical and psychological health, caregiver–patient relationships, patient clinical status, hospitalization experiences, quality of discharge education, health system factors, and cultural context. Higher levels of caregiver readiness are consistently associated with improved medication adherence, better engagement in rehabilitation, fewer post-discharge complications, and reduced hospital readmissions, while also lowering caregiver burden, stress, and burnout. Standardized instruments such as the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale and the Family Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale demonstrate good psychometric properties; however, variability in assessment timing and limited cultural validation—particularly in low- and middle-income countries—remain notable gaps. The predominance of cross-sectional studies highlights the need for longitudinal and interventional research, especially evaluating nurse practitioner–led strategies to enhance readiness. Nurses and nurse practitioners play a pivotal role in assessing caregiver readiness, providing structured and individualized education, and coordinating multidisciplinary transitional care. Integrating routine readiness assessment into stroke discharge planning and implementing culturally sensitive, evidence-based interventions may substantially improve post-stroke outcomes and support sustained recovery.

Assessing the Triggers of Compassion Fatigue in Nurses that Provoke Patient Reactions during Nursing Care and the use of Mechanisms of Change to Mitigate it at the Paediatric Unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital

Wombeogo Michael — 2026-03-17

Compassion Fatigue (CF) is a growing concern in nursing, particularly in paediatric units where emotional demands are high. This study explores the triggers of CF among nurses at the Tamale Teaching Hospital (TTH) and examines how these triggers influence patient and family reactions during care. The study employed a qualitative design at the TTH paediatric unit. An interpretive phenomenological approach was used for the collection and analysis of data. The study also investigated mechanisms of change, which were coping strategies and institutional interventions that nurses employ to mitigate CF and restore therapeutic relationships. The TTH and the paediatric unit were purposefully selected for convenience, proximity, and purpose, as the study was focused on paediatric nursing. A sample size of 10 nurse respondents was used. Findings reveal that emotional overload, repeated exposure to suffering, and lack of institutional support are key CF triggers. These provoke patient reactions such as withdrawal, mistrust, and verbal aggression. Mechanisms of change include peer support, spiritual reflection, and trauma-informed care practices. The study offers practical, theoretical, and policy insights for improving nurse well-being and patient outcomes. The researchers recommended that future researchers focus on investigating other potential factors that could lead nurses to develop compassion fatigue, such as personal perspectives and the application of religion and spirituality at work, to holistically assess and prevent both positive and negative reactions of patients and their relatives to the work of nurses. This study, seeks to provide a paradigm shift from the effects of compassion fatigue on the nurse to a tangent of how patients and their relatives react or respond to the actions of nurses in the wake of compassion fatigue as they care for Paediatric patients in Ghana.

Knowledge and Attitude Towards the Management of Hypovolemic Shock Among Nursing Students in Federal University, Birnin Kebbi

Yahuza Garba — 2026-03-25

Hypovolemic shock is a critical medical emergency that arises from a significant loss of blood or fluids, impairing the heart’s ability to circulate blood effectively throughout the body. Prompt recognition and management are essential to prevent organ failure and death. Nurses, particularly nursing students in training, play a pivotal role in identifying and managing such life-threatening conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of nursing students at Federal University Birnin Kebbi concerning the management of hypovolemic shock. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was employed, involving 163 nursing students selected through non-probability convenience sampling from a total population of 273. Data were obtained using a self-structured online questionnaire and analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007 and SPSS version 20.0. Findings revealed that 43% of the respondents demonstrated average knowledge of hypovolemic shock, 30% had good knowledge, while 27% showed poor understanding. Additionally, 85% of the participants exhibited a positive attitude, with only 15% showing a negative attitude toward its management. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between knowledge levels and demographic factors such as age and prior exposure to information on hypovolemic shock (p < 0.001). The study concludes that while most students possess a favorable attitude, their knowledge levels vary. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced educational interventions, including clinical simulations and case-based learning, to strengthen nursing students’ competence in managing hypovolemic shock effectively.