Nurses’ knowledge of heart failure self-management

Heart failure (HF) is increasing in prevalence. Patient education is essential and is included in both ambulatory and hospital performance measures used to ensure quality care. Nurses are often the primary providers of education to patients with HF. This study assessed nurses’ knowledge of basic principles of HF self-management. The study surveyed 49 nurses who regularly provided care to patients with HF at a hospital in the southeastern United States. A 20-item, true/false survey was administered to participants. Mean HF self-management knowledge score was 15.97 (79.85% correct). Consistent with previous studies, nurses scored lowest on knowledge related to transient dizziness (16.3% answered correctly), daily weight monitoring (36.2% answered correctly), and asymptomatic hypotension (58.3% answered correctly). Findings confirm previous work suggesting that nurses may not be adequately prepared to educate patients with HF about self-management