Crush Syndrome Knowledge Levels of Nursing Students: An Intervention Study

Abstract

This study had two objectives: (1) determining how much nursing students know about Crush syndrome and (2) using an intervention program to increase their knowledge level. This quasi-experimental pretest-posttest research was conducted between October 21 and December 31, 2021. The sample consisted of 43 third-grade nursing students taking the “Disaster Management and Nursing” course. The researchers designed a case and presented participants with an “Algorithm for the Medical Approach to the Wounded with Crush Syndrome” (AMAWCS). They asked all participants to mark the right approaches based on the algorithm. Participants had a significantly higher posttest CSKF score (24.61±.62) than the pretest CSKF score (21.67±3.01) (p ˂.001). Most participants stated that they had taken a course on crush syndrome before (86%). Participants who had taken a course on crush syndrome before had a significantly higher pretest and posttest CSKF score than those who had not (˂.001). The AMAWCS teaches nursing students about crush syndrome, related complications, and medical interventions. Our results show that algorithms can help nursing students learn what crush syndrome is and how to treat it. In this way, we can ensure high-quality nursing care to treat crush syndrome.