Knowledge and Utilization of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) in Evaluating Unconscious Patients among Clinical Nurses in a Nigerian Referral Health Centre

Abstract

Introduction: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is the foundation of the neurological appraisal of patients utilized by both nursing and clinical staff. The study was conducted to ascertain the level of knowledge, utilization and variables that prevent nurses using the GCS to evaluate unconscious patients at the teaching hospital of Modibbo Adama University in Yola, Adamawa state, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: The study utilized descriptive research cross-sectional design. the sample size for the study was calculated using Taro Yamane’s method, a structured questionnaire was administered to 131 respondents to collect data for the study out of which 117 were successfully filled and retrieved. Data collected was analysed and presented on tables. Finding: The findings revealed that more than half of the respondents (60%) were female with post basic nursing qualification, majority (61%) of the nurses surveyed were knowledgeable of GCS, 88% & 84% of respondents respectively reported that lack of knowledge regarding the GCS’s use and not having self-confidence regarding the application of GCS were the main factors that hindered them to their capacity to apply the GCS in their routine practice. Conclusion: It was concluded that the study subjects had good knowledge of GCS, so also utilization status of the GCS was very good. Recommendation: Based on the findings, it was recommended that Nurses must work harder to stay current with their knowledge and practice doing the GCS examination, and management should create an educational team to evaluate, instruct and make sure that nurses adhere to utilizing the GCS appropriately.