Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal最新文献

{"title":"The Effect of Home-Based Education on the Occurrence of Urinary Tract Infections in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury Discharged from the Hospital","authors":"H. Askari, Shahrzad Sarabandi, Hamed Faghihi, Ali Arbab","doi":"10.5812/msnj-138601","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/msnj-138601","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to their inability to take care of themselves. Thus, families have a main role in caring for these patients. Objectives: This study sought to examine the effects of home-based education on the incidence of UTIs and bedsores in patients with TBI discharged from the hospital. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 50 patients with TBI admitted to Khatam Al-Anbia Hospital in Zahedan in 2022 and their caregivers. The participants were selected through convenience sampling among those meeting our inclusion criteria and randomly divided into the intervention and control groups. Caregivers in the intervention group received face-to-face home-based training on the second and fifth days after discharge (i.e., two 45-minute sessions). The participants in the intervention group also received educational pamphlets and videos in the patient’s living environment. The participants in the control group received routine care. After four weeks, urine samples from the patients in the two groups were cultured, and the growth of organisms and the number of colonies were determined. If the number of colonies was 105 per mL or more, the test was considered positive, confirming the presence of UTI. The data were analyzed by SPSS 21 software using appropriate statistical tests at a significance level of less than 0.05 (P < 0.05). Results: The results showed that 28% and 64% of the patients in the intervention and control groups were positive for UTIs, respectively. The result of the Chi-square test indicated a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the incidence of UTIs (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Home-based education for traumatic brain injury patients and their caregivers can be effective in reducing the incidence of UTIs after discharge from the hospital and should be incorporated into nursing care programs at the time of the patient’s discharge.","PeriodicalId":18480,"journal":{"name":"Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"76805739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effect of Sleep Hygiene Education on Sleep Quality, Depression, and Fatigue of Hemodialysis Patients","authors":"Faezeh Ebrahimi, Saeed Sokhtseraei, A. Navidian","doi":"10.5812/msnj-138254","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/msnj-138254","url":null,"abstract":"Background: One of the conservative treatment methods for patients with end-stage renal failure is hemodialysis. Although hemodialysis contributes to patients’ lives, it has adverse emotional and psychological effects, including sleep problems, fatigue, and depression. Objectives: The present study aimed to examine the effect of sleep hygiene education on sleep quality, depression, and fatigue among hemodialysis patients admitted to hospitals affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2021. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 hemodialysis patients in Khatam Al-Anbia and Ali Ibne Abi Talib hospitals affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2021. The participants were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups using permuted block randomization. The data were collected using a demographic information form, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). The patients in the control group received routine care, and the patients in the intervention group attended a sleep hygiene education program in three consecutive face-to-face dialysis sessions using educational pamphlets for 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the patient’s tolerance. Two months after the training program, the quality of sleep, fatigue, and depression were measured for patients in both groups. The patients’ data were analyzed with SPSS software (version 25) using the paired samples t-test, independent samples t-test, chi-square test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at a significant level of 0.05 (P < 0.05). Results: The mean scores of sleep quality for the patients in the intervention and control groups changed from 12.05 ± 2.18 to 10.85 ± 2.00 and from 10.28 ± 1.85 to 10.45 ± 1.85, respectively, and the paired samples t-test showed significant differences in both groups before and after the intervention, but the sleep quality scores increased for the patients in the intervention group (P = 0.001). Moreover, the mean fatigue scores for the patients in the intervention and control groups changed from 57.98 ± 13.48 to 52.25 ± 13.23 and from 48.88 ± 8.97 to 52.20 ± 8.80, respectively. The paired samples t-test showed significant differences in both groups before and after the intervention, but fatigue scores increased for the control group (P = 0.001). The data also indicated that the mean depression scores for the patients in the intervention and control groups changed from 24.20 ± 6.26 to 22.28 ± 5.26 and from 25.18 ± 7.70 to 25.68 ± 7.54, respectively. The independent samples t-test showed significant differences in both groups before and after the intervention (P = 0.001). By controlling the pre-test effect, the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed significant differences in the mean scores of sleep quality (P = 0.001), fatigue (P = 0.001), and depression (P = 0.001) in hemodialysis patients in bo","PeriodicalId":18480,"journal":{"name":"Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"91011756","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effect of Flipped Learning Method on Self-care of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes","authors":"Sobhan Malekraisi Noushirvan, A. Arbabisarjou, Hamed Faghihi, Narjeskhatoun Sadeghi Googhary","doi":"10.5812/msnj-137629","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/msnj-137629","url":null,"abstract":"Background: One of the reasons for the lack of success and desired treatment results in diabetic patients is their lack of participation in treatment. Diabetes self-care education is a key factor in the prevention and treatment of diabetes, which is effective in improving the patient’s quality of life (QoL) and cost reduction. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the effect of the flipped learning method on the self-care of patients with type-2 diabetes referred to the Diabetes Clinic of Bu-Ali Hospital in Zahedan. Methods: A semi-experimental study was conducted on 114 diabetic patients. The participants were randomly divided into intervention and control groups, and a pre-test was administered. The Self-care of Diabetes Index (SCODI), 40 items, was completed before and after the intervention by the research samples. The flipped learning program was conducted as an intervention in five sessions for patients in the intervention group, and a post-test was administered two months after the completion of the educational intervention. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS 26. The significance level was considered less than 0.05. Results: Two months after the flipped learning intervention, the findings showed more positive changes in the flipped learning method in increasing the patients’ self-care in the intervention group (P > 0.001). The mean score of self-care and its variations mean was significantly higher in the intervention group in the post-test than in the control group (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Implementing flipped learning positively affects increasing self-care in diabetic patients. It seems that the implementation of such programs can play an effective role in the treatment and prevention of type-2 diabetes complications.","PeriodicalId":18480,"journal":{"name":"Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89916201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effects of Cup Feeding and Finger Feeding Techniques on Weight Gain in Preterm Infants Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit","authors":"F. Mirzaei, Fatihe Kerman Saravi, M. Naderifar, N. Mahmoodi","doi":"10.5812/msnj-136207","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/msnj-136207","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Weight is one of the main indicators of physical growth and brain development in infants, especially preterm infants. Feeding preterm infants is an ongoing challenge for those in charge of feeding infants, especially those with very low birth weights. Feeding difficulties in premature infants lead to long hospital stays and increased costs. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of cup feeding and finger feeding techniques on weight gain in premature infants. Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 90 premature infants with an average weight of 1784.3 ± 497 g admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Ali Bin Abi Talib (AS) Hospital located in Zahedan, the southeast of Iran, in 2021. The infants were randomly divided into 3 groups: Cup feeding, finger feeding, and control groups (each with 30 infants). The intervention was performed for 3 consecutive days without interruption, even on holidays for each infant. The amount and frequency of feeding each infant depended on the birth weight and the diagnosis of a specialist. The infant’s weight was recorded before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 using analysis of variance (ANOVA), paired-samples t-test, and chi-square test. Results: The average weight of infants significantly increased in the cup feeding (P < 0.01) and finger feeding (P < 0.01) groups compared with the control group. The highest weight gain was recorded in the finger feeding group (109.55 g), followed by the cup feeding group (65.8 g) and the control group (31.1 g; P = 0.001). The ANOVA results suggested that the finger feeding technique was most effective in gaining weight and achieving independent oral feeding in premature infants.","PeriodicalId":18480,"journal":{"name":"Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82774227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effect of an Educational-Supportive Intervention on the Perceived Stress and Nutritional Status of Breast Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy","authors":"Majid Nadrpour, A. Navidian, Pegah Sasanpour, F. Kiani, Neda Arbabi","doi":"10.5812/msnj-134675","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/msnj-134675","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Managing stress and improving the nutritional status of cancer patients can lead to better physical and mental conditions, more desirable treatment outcomes, and improved feelings and engagement in the treatment process. Objectives: This study sought to examine the effect of an educational-supportive intervention on the perceived stress and nutritional status of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 women with breast cancer admitted to Khatam Al-Anbia (PBUH) and Ali Ibn Abi Talib (AS) hospitals affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2022. Participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly divided into 2 intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, participants attended 4 training sessions focusing on the patients’ common problems, proper nutrition, and prescribed treatment. The training session was performed at the patient’s bedside and lasted 45 - 60 minutes. In the control group, patients received no intervention except for hospital routine training. Data were collected from both groups before and 6 weeks after the intervention using the Perceived Stress Scale and patient-generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 using the paired-samples t test, independent samples t test, and chi-square test. Data analysis was performed at a significance level of less than 0.05 (P < 0.05). Results: The mean perceived stress scores were changed from 52.250 ± 2.284 to 32.125 ± 7.390 in the intervention group and 51.475 ± 2.773 to 48.425 ± 2.011 in the control group. The mean perceived stress scores were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.001). Moreover, the mean scores of the nutritional status were changed from 7.005 ± 41.40 to 1.94 ± 19.95 in the intervention group and 7.561 ± 40.58 to 5.177 ± 49.65 in the control group. The mean nutritional status scores were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Given the positive effect of the educational-supportive intervention on reducing stress and improving nutritional status, these interventions can be incorporated into training and care programs to improve nutritional status and reduce stress in patients with breast cancer.","PeriodicalId":18480,"journal":{"name":"Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"86909785","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Interventional Effect of Quiet Time Protocol on the Physiological Parameters of Premature Neonates Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit","authors":"Kimiya Sabagh, F. Ghaljaei, N. Mahmoodi, Fatihe Kerman Saravi, H. Robabi","doi":"10.5812/msnj-135736","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/msnj-135736","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Premature neonates are a group of high-risk patients who need intensive medical care and hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for their survival. In the NICU environment, there are highly stressful stimuli that have a negative effect on the physiological parameters of premature neonates. One of the interventions that improve the physiological parameters of neonates is the implementation of the quiet time protocol. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of the quiet time protocol intervention on the physiological parameters of premature neonates admitted to the NICU. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 62 premature neonates selected through a convenient sampling method out of the neonates admitted to the NICU. First, the samples of the control group were collected. A demographic data questionnaire was employed. Neonates in the two groups were examined for 60 min during three phases before, during, and after the intervention in the evening shift of 15 - 17 o’clock. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 22 by the chi-squared test, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), and t-test. P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The results of repeated measures ANOVA regarding arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) percentage showed that changes over time were significant (P < 0.001). There was also a significant difference between the groups in terms of intervention effect (P = 0.004). In other words, the changes in SaO2 percentage were not the same in the two groups, and the changes in the score of the intervention group were higher than the control group. The results of repeated measures ANOVA showed that the changes in the heart rate and respiratory rate over time were significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The quiet time protocol is effective in reducing environmental stimuli and improving physiological parameters. Therefore, the implementation of these procedures during each 8-hour shift, which includes a specific period which light, sound, and bedside stimulation is controllably reduced, is recommended as a standard of care to reduce stress and improve the growth and development of premature neonates in the NICU.","PeriodicalId":18480,"journal":{"name":"Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"89048170","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effect of Telehealth Communication on Anxiety, Depression, and Visits of Family Members of COVID-19 Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units","authors":"Mohammad Mahdi Shirvani, N. Rezaee, Seyed Mohammad Nasirodin Tabatabaei, A. Navidian","doi":"10.5812/msnj-136064","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/msnj-136064","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The family’s inability to communicate with a patient with COVID-19 who was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and the lack of information about the patient’s condition greatly affected the anxiety, depression, and uncertainty of family members. Objectives: This study examined the effect of telehealth communication on anxiety, depression, and visits by family members of COVID-19 patients admitted to ICUs. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 60 family members of COVID-19 patients admitted to ICUs of medical centers affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2021. The participants were selected using convenience sampling and randomly divided into intervention and control groups. In the intervention group, the patient’s condition, changes in the patient’s consciousness level, diagnostic and therapeutic measures, and the care received was reported daily for 5 days at the discretion of the family member in the form of audio and video messages. One day after the intervention, data were collected using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and analyzed with SPSS software (version 22) using the paired samples t-test, independent samples t-test, chi-square test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: The results of ANCOVA showed that after the intervention, the mean score of depression and anxiety of the family caregivers of patients admitted to the ICU in the intervention group was significantly lower than that of the members of the control group (P = 0.001). Besides, the mean number of visits made by the patient’s family members in the intervention group (2.73 ± 2.04) was significantly lower than the visits made by the participants in the control group (3.96 ± 1.80) (P = 0.001). Conclusions: The study’s results showed that telehealth communication using audio and video messages reduced the level of anxiety and depression experienced by family members of patients with COVID-19 and reduced the frequency of their visits to the hospital. Thus, the use of new technologies to enable virtual hospital visits during the COVID-19 outbreak for families of ICU patients is recommended due to the restrictions caused by this disease.","PeriodicalId":18480,"journal":{"name":"Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85517326","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation (CPCR) Training for Nurses in Iran: A Review Study","authors":"Z. Raisi, M. Jahantigh, Sakineh Sabzevari","doi":"10.5812/msnj-135718","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/msnj-135718","url":null,"abstract":"Context: This study aimed to provide an overview of cardiopulmonary-cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) training methods for nurses in Iran and introduce some innovations in using training methods to improve nurses’ knowledge and skills in clinical settings. Cardiac arrest is one of the most common causes of death worldwide. Evidence shows that despite the support for improving and treating cardiac arrest in recent years, the overall survival rate after it is still low. Thus, an awareness of the latest CPCR methods is vital for nursing staff. To this end, nurses’ knowledge and skills can be promoted using effective training interventions and techniques. Evidence Acquisition: In this review study, the English keywords; education, training, cardiopulmonary-cerebral resuscitation, nurses, knowledge, skill, and performance, and their equivalent Persian terms were searched in articles published from 2010 to 2020 in Iranian and international databases including Google Scholar, SID, IranMedex, Magiran, PubMed, Ensani.ir, and CINAHL. A total of 21 articles were identified. After removing duplicate articles and the studies conducted in Iran, ten articles were selected for the final review. Results: In recent years, different conventional and modern training techniques have been used to teach cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to nurses in Iran to improve one or two areas of learning (knowledge and performance). The combined use of these training methods can enhance nurses’ knowledge, skills, and satisfaction with CPR training. Conclusions: There are many conventional and modern methods for teaching clinical skills. Thus, the most effective methods should be used to teach CPCR to nurses. To this end, educational officials and managers should use integrated training methods to improve nurses’ CPCR skills.","PeriodicalId":18480,"journal":{"name":"Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75075229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"“What Do You Expect?”: A Qualitative Content Analysis Study to Explain the Expectations of the Families of Patients Undergoing Surgery","authors":"F. Ahmadi, A. Kazemnejad, M. Azizi","doi":"10.5812/msnj-135587","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/msnj-135587","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Surgery is one of the most frequent healthcare events worldwide. Individuals have different expectations of surgery. Objectives: As most adult patients have a family member beside them and the family presence is important, this study aimed to explain the expectations of the families of patients undergoing surgery. Methods: This qualitative study was carried out using the conventional content analysis method. A purposive sample of the family members of patients undergoing surgery was recruited with maximum variation from hospitals in Tehran, Iran, in 2019. The sampling method was purposive sampling. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data collection was continued until the categories were saturated. In total, 29 interviews were conducted with 25 family members, 3 nurses, and 1 surgeon. Results: Overall, 29 interviews were conducted. A total of 811 primary codes without overlap, 446 primary codes with overlap, 36 subcategories, and 11 generic categories were extracted. Finally, four main categories were obtained, namely endless confusion, giving the family a share in care, exaggerated focus on obvious behaviors, and accepting the existence of the family. Conclusions: Families come apart at the seams. Their expectations and needs might not be met and are usually considered unimportant. They need to be seen, heard, considered, understood, and, most importantly, accepted by healthcare providers, especially nurses","PeriodicalId":18480,"journal":{"name":"Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"78468456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effects of Tracheal Suction with N-acetylcysteine on Incidence of Ventilator-associated Pneumonia","authors":"Nahid Mir, F. Yaghoubinia, Alireza Rahat Dahmardeh, M. Jahantigh","doi":"10.5812/msnj-135589","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5812/msnj-135589","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Correct endotracheal tube suction is one of the effective methods to prevent ventilator-associated infection. Many studies have reported that normal saline and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the trachea lead the translocation of bacteria to lower levels and increase the risk of pneumonia. Objectives: The present study sought to examine the effect of tracheal suction with NAC on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Methods: This single-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 60 patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Khatam Al-Anbia Hospital in Zahedan, Iran, in 2020. The patients were selected using the convenience sampling method and assigned into two intervention and control groups by permutation block randomization. Before the intervention, the patients were evaluated using the Modified Clinical Pulmonary Infection Score (MCPIS), and the patients with scores < 5 on this scale were included in the study. Suctioning tracheal secretions in the intervention group was performed by pouring 2 cc of NAC into the tracheal tube during suction. The same suction procedure was performed for the patients in the control group by pouring 2 cc of normal saline into the tracheal tube in a standard way. The intervention was conducted for five days. After the intervention, the MCPIS scale was administered once more for the two groups. The collected data were analyzed using the independent samples t-test and chi-square test with SPSS software (version 25). Results: The independent samples t-test showed no significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding the incidence of pneumonia (P = 0.31). Conclusions: Despite the effect of NAC on the incidence rate of pneumonia in patients under mechanical ventilation, there was no significant difference between NAC and normal saline in reducing the incidence of pneumonia. However, since NAC leads to no specific complication in patients, it can be safely used in the suction of tracheal lobule secretions in patients under ventilators. In this regard, further studies should examine the use of NAC for suctioning during tracheal tube obstruction by secretions.","PeriodicalId":18480,"journal":{"name":"Medical-Surgical Nursing Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"83503792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}