Table 2 Descriptive Statistics of Delirium Knowledge Questionnaire (DKQ) in Nursing Students Pre/Post-Test (n = 206)
DKQ Item | Pre-Test Score (% Correct Answers) | Post-Test Score (% Correct Answers) | +/− Difference (% Correct Answers) |
|---|---|---|---|
A. Items related to knowledge about the presentation, symptoms and outcomes of delirium | |||
1. Fluctuation between orientation and disorientation is a typical feature of delirium | 92.57% | 94.77% | + 2.20% |
2. Symptoms of depression may mimic delirium | 66.29% | 82.56% | + 16.27% |
3. Patients never remember episodes of delirium | 70.29% | 83.14% | + 12.85% |
4. Delirium never lasts for more than a few hours | 87.43% | 96.51% | + 9.08% |
5. A patient who is lethargic and difficult to rouse does certainly not have a delirium | 90.86% | 93.60% | + 2.74% |
6. Patients with delirium are always physically and/or verbally aggressive | 96.57% | 95.35% | - 1.19% |
7. Patients with delirium have a higher mortality rate | 53.14% | 68.02% | + 14.88% |
8. Behavioural changes in the course of the day are typical of delirium | 90.29% | 97.67% | + 7.38% |
9. A patient with delirium is likely to be easily distracted and/or have difficulty following a conversation | 92.00% | 95.93% | + 3.93% |
10. Patients with delirium will often experience perceptual disturbances (e.g. visual and/or auditory hallucinations) | 91.43% | 96.51% | + 5.08% |
Section A Overall Score | 83.09% | 90.41% | + 7.32% |
B. Items related to knowledge about causes and risk factors of delirium | |||
11. A patient admitted with pneumonia and having diabetes, visual and auditory disturbances has the same risk for delirium as a patient admitted with pneumonia without co-morbidities. | 62.86% | 63.95% | + 1.09% |
12. The risk for delirium increases with age | 74.29% | 95.93% | + 21.64% |
13. A patient with impaired vision is at increased risk of delirium | 66.29% | 92.57% | + 26.28% |
14. The greater the number of medications a patient is taking, the greater their risk of delirium | 47.43% | 87.56% | + 40.13% |
15. A urinary catheter reduces the risk of delirium | 73.14% | 93.71% | + 20.57% |
16. Poor nutrition increases the risk of delirium | 72.57% | 93.60% | + 21.03% |
17. Dementia is an important risk factor for delirium | 74.86% | 86.63% | + 11.77% |
18. Diabetes is an important risk factor for delirium | 40.00% | 89.53% | + 49.53% |
19. Dehydration can be a risk factor for delirium | 91.43% | 96.51% | + 5.08% |
20. Delirium is generally caused by alcohol withdrawal | 79.43% | 76.74% | - 2.69% |
21. A family history of dementia predisposes a patient to delirium | 50.29% | 52.91% | + 2.62% |
Section B Overall Score | 66.60% | 84.51% | + 17.91% |
Items related to knowledge about delirium prevention and management strategies | |||
22. Treatment of delirium always includes sedation | 92.00% | 94.77% | + 2.77% |
23. Daily use of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the best way for diagnosing delirium | 18.29% | 37.79% | + 19.5% |
24. Providing as much staff as possible to take care at the patients’ bedside is an important strategy in the prevention of delirium | 57.14% | 60.47% | + 3.3% |
25. The use of physical restraints in patients at risk for delirium is the best way to ensure their safety | 92.57% | 91.86% | - 0.71% |
26. Encouraging patients to (correctly) wear their visual/hearing aids is necessary to prevent delirium | 53.14% | 61.05% | + 7.91% |
27. Adequate hydration is an important strategy in the prevention of delirium | 90.86% | 96.51% | + 5.65 |
28. The maintenance of a normal sleep-wake cycle (e.g., avoidance of sleep interruption) is an important strategy in the prevention of delirium | 88.57% | 94.19% | + 5.62% |
29. The use of haloperidol in preoperative surgical fracture patients is a way to prevent delirium | 44.57% | 59.88% | + 15.31% |
30. The stimulation of patients to perform different activities at the same time is a way to prevent delirium | 47.43% | 31.40% | - 16.03% |
31. Keeping instructions for patients as simple as possible is important in the prevention of delirium | 77.14% | 81.98% | + 4.84% |
32. Early activation/ambulation (e.g., getting patients out of bed as soon as possible) of patients is an important strategy in the prevention of delirium | 44.57% | 63.37% | + 18.80% |
33. Providing patients with familiar objects (e.g., photos, clock, newspaper) is important to prevent sensory deprivation | 93.71% | 93.02% | - 0.69% |
34. Avoid eye contact in the prevention of delirium because it can be seen as a threat | 83.43% | 85.47% | +  2.04% |
35. Keeping oral contact with the patient is an important strategy in the prevention of delirium | 69.14% | 80.81% | + 11.67% |
Section C Overall Score | 68.04% | 73.76% | + 5.72% |
Student’s Overall Average Score (n = 206) | 71.89% (25.16) | 81.89% (28.66) | + 10.00% (3.50) |