Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dynamic monitoring of intra-abdominal pressure is a reliable basis for diagnosing intra-abdominal hypertension and abdominal compartment syndrome, which are independent risk factors for death. The latest evidence on abdominal pressure monitoring has been updated, but the gap between these updates and the actual practice of critical care nurses remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the behaviour and cognition of adult critical care nurses in China regarding intra-abdominal pressure measurement. METHODS: A national cross-sectional study of Chinese adult critical care nurses was conducted from May to August 2024 using a developed questionnaire. The survey assessed measurement methods, patient positioning, zero reference points, value reading timing, and nurses' understanding of intra-abdominal pressure. RESULTS: A total of 1068 valid questionnaires were included. Of these, 768 (71.9%) respondents had measured intra-abdominal pressure. The main reason for not monitoring intra-abdominal pressure was a lack of training (60%). The bladder pressure was regarded as the gold standard by 754 (98.2%) participants, of whom 642 (85.1%) chose the traditional (intermittent) technique for intra-abdominal pressure measurement. The cognition score ranged from 2 to 19, the median was 9.0 with an interquartile range of 8.0, and associated factors included age, hospital level, education level, marital status, professional title, and number of years working in the clinic. CONCLUSIONS: Adult critical care nurses in China exhibit inadequate overall cognition regarding intra-abdominal pressure monitoring, with particularly deficient understanding of fundamental concepts, including normal IAP thresholds, diagnostic criteria for intra-abdominal hypertension, and risk factor identification. It is imperative to enhance the focus on monitoring intra-abdominal pressure. Furthermore, it is essential to provide regular training for adult critical care nurses, grounded in the latest evidence, to elevate both the standardisation of procedures and the level of cognitive understanding in this area. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.