Journal of Korean Gerontological Nursing 2011;13(3):172-184.
요양병원 간호사의 노인변비 간호지식과 간호활동에 관한 연구
김지은, 김정희
Constipation Knowledge and Nursing Activities for Older Patients in Long-term Care Hospitals
Kim, Ji Eun · Kim, Jung Hee
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine nurses’ knowledge of constipation and nursing activities for
older patients and to identify nurse characteristics differentiating knowledge and activities. Methods Data were
gathered through a questionnaire survey of 200 nurses from 29 hospitals with more than 150 beds. Cronbach's ? was .623 for constipation knowledge and .806 for nursing activities. Data were analyzed using descriptive
statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Duncan test. Results Average percentage of correct answer was 64.0% with the
highest percentage (78.3%) in the area of causative factors. Of nursing activities for constipation, 91% of the
nurses reported that keeping a daily elimination record and assessing patient status were performed frequently.
Total score of knowledge differed significantly by hospital size, experience of education, use of resources, and
interest about nursing activities for constipation in older patients. The frequency of nursing activities was
significantly different according to nurses' interests in nursing activities for older patients with constipation.
Conclusion The study findings indicate that in-service training programs should be developed to increase
constipation knowledge and performance of nursing activities to alleviate constipation among older patients in
long-term care hospitals. Administrative support is also required to increase nursing time for patient care.