Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Standardized Model of Ventricular Fibrillation and Advanced Cardiac Life Support in Swine
Published on: January 30, 2020
Evaluation of nurses' and doctors' knowledge of basic & advanced life support resuscitation guidelines
Christina Passali1, Ioannis Pantazopoulos, Ismene Dontas
1Catheterization Laboratory, Thriassion Hospital, Athens, Greece. cpasali@med.uoa.gr
Abstract:
Lack of resuscitation skills of nurses and doctors in basic life support (BLS) and advanced life support (ALS) has been identified as a contributing factor to poor outcomes of cardiac arrest victims. Our hypothesis was that nurses' and doctors' knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines would be related to their professional background as well as their resuscitation training. A secondary aim of this study was to assess and compare the theoretical knowledge on BLS and ALS in nurses and doctors. A total of 82 nurses and 134 doctors agreed to respond to a questionnaire containing demographic questions, resuscitation experience questions and 15 theoretical knowledge questions. Our study demonstrated that nurses and doctors working in Greece have knowledge gaps in current BLS and ALS guidelines. However, resuscitation training had a positive effect on theoretical CPR knowledge. Furthermore, nurses and doctors who worked in high-risk areas for cardiac arrest, scored significantly higher than those who worked in low-risk areas. Those who had encountered more than 5 cardiac arrests the previous year, scored significantly better. Finally the percentage of nurses who had attended the ALS course was quite low thus ALS training should be incorporated into the nursing curriculum.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation I: Adult
Assessment of Respiration
Subjective Assessment: Nurses interview the patient to gather information directly during the subjective assessment. It includes questions about the individual's medical history, medications, and symptoms, focusing on past respiratory conditions like asthma or COPD,...
Respiratory Assessment: Purpose and Indications
Objectives and Importance:
The primary goal of respiratory assessment is to evaluate patients at early risk of clinical deterioration. Since respiratory distress often precedes other signs of declining health, breathing patterns and sounds become a...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation III: AED Use

