Effectiveness of a Structured Protocol on Digitalis Therapy Knowledge and Practice among Intensive Coronary Care Unit Nurses

This study examined the effectiveness of a structured protocol on digitalis therapy in improving the knowledge and clinical practice of staff nurses working in intensive coronary care units. An evaluative approach with a pre-experimental design was adopted, and purposive sampling was used to select participants from a selected hospital. Data were collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire and an observational checklist to assess pre-test and post-test performance. The protocol provided detailed information on drug classification, indications, contraindications, dosage adjustment, adverse effects, and nursing interventions. Statistical analysis using paired t-tests showed a marked increase in both knowledge and practice scores after the intervention. The post-test results demonstrated clear improvement compared to baseline levels, indicating better understanding and safer administration practices. The findings highlight the value of structured educational protocols in strengthening professional competence and supporting evidence-based nursing care in critical cardiac settings.