Measuring Clinical Preparedness for Pressure Ulcer Prevention: Validation of the Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment

Objectives A good and reliable instrument enables clinical nurses to effectively evaluate pressure injuries in patients, which is vital in preventing early mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties and practical usability of the pressure ulcer knowledge assessment tool (PUKAT) among clinical nurses in a public hospital. Material and Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 20 clinical nurses in a Malaysian public hospital. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, and item analysis included item-rest correlations and mean scores across the knowledge, attitude, and practice subscales. The JAMOVI (ver. 2.6.44) for Windows software was used to analyse the data. Results The results demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency for the knowledge (α = 0.882), attitude (α = 0.804), and practice (α = 0.889) subscales. High item-rest correlations (r > 0.74) were found for the knowledge (items 3, 5, 13, and 17) and practice (items 1, 9, 12, and 16) items. Items that exhibited poor or negative correlations indicated the need for refinement. Conclusion The pressure ulcer knowledge assessment tool demonstrated strong reliability in assessing nurses’ competencies. Further refinement of low-performing items can enhance their usability in preventing clinical pressure injuries.