A review of nurses' performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation at cardiac arrests

Abstract

This study investigated nurses' ability to initiate and maintain effective cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in actual cardiac arrests (n = 50). Results indicated that in the majority of cases nurses effectively managed all components of CPR. These results are in direct contrast to the current accepted body of knowledge related to deficits in nurses' CPR performance. In particular the results suggest that nurses' actual management of cardiac arrests in a contextual environment differs markedly from results shown by research using simulated settings. Research findings suggest the need for an evaluation of the use and effects of cognitive and metacognitive instructional strategies in CPR training courses on transfer of skills and knowledge to practice.