Background: Esophageal varices are enlarged or swollen veins that occur on the lining of
the esophagus. Varices can be life-threatening if they break open and bleed. Aim: This study was
conducted to assess nurses' performance (knowledge, practice and attitude) while caring of patients
with bleeding esophageal varices. Design: An exploratory descriptive design was utilized to achieve
the aim of the study. Setting: The study was conducted at medical ICU and hematemsis unit at
Zagazig University Hospitals. Study subject: A convenient sample of (30) nurses working in the
previously mentioned units within 6 months. Tools: three tools were used including: I- Nurses' self-
administered questionnaire used to assess nurses' knowledge and demographic characteristics of the
study nurses. II- Likert scale used to assess nurses' attitude in caring of patients with bleeding
esophageal varices. III- Nurses' observational checklist used to assess nurses' practice in caring of
patients with bleeding esophageal varices. Results: 65.7% and 53.33% of nurses had unsatisfactory
level of knowledge and practice, while 60% of them had a positive attitude regarding caring of
patients with bleeding esophageal varices. Conclusion: there was a highly statistically significant
relation between total nurses' knowledge and practice. Recommendations: Further research are
recommended to study new approaches in the area of care and management of patients with bleeding
esophageal varices and evaluate its reflection on patient's outcomes.