Diabetic ketoacidosis is an acute, major, life-threatening complication of diabetes, may be fatal
if not treated quickly and appropriately. Nurses' knowledge and practice play important roles in
provision of supportive care to decrease morbidity and mortality secondary to diabetic ketoacidosis.
Aim of the study to assess nurses' performance regarding caring of patient with diabetic
ketoacidosis. Study design: a descriptive exploratory design. Subjects and methods: Convenience
sample of 40 nurses were recruited from Medical Intensive Care Unit at Ain Shams University
Hospital within 6 months duration. Tools: consisted of (1) Self-administered questionnaire to assess
nurses' knowledge regarding caring of patients withdiabetic ketoacidosis, (2) Nurses' practice
observational checklists to assess nurses' practice regarding caring of patients with diabetic
ketoacidosis. The Results of this study revealed that, 75% of nurses had unsatisfactory level of
knowledge as regards diabetic ketoacidosis and 85% of them had unsatisfactory level of practice.
Conclusion This study concluded that, the majority of nurses had unsatisfactory level of knowledge
and practice regarding caring of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis. It was elicited that there was no
statistically relation between overall nurses' knowledge and practice and demographic
characteristics, also there was no statistically relation between total nurses' knowledge and practice.
Recommendations: this study recommended;the importance of conducting In-service training
advancing educational program for nurses caring of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis for
improving their performance & quality of care provided for such group of patients