Background: Accidental extubation defined as unwelcome extubations. Aim: The study
aimed to assess factors affecting accidental extubation of endotracheal tube in critical care units.
Design: A descriptive exploratory design was utilized to conduct this study. Setting: The study was
conducted in the ICUs of zagazig University Hospitals which has 70 ICU bed capacities that
classified into: emergency ICU consisted of 23 beds, post-operative ICUs consisted of ICUA had 15
beds, ICUB had 10 beds and internal medicine ICU consisted of 22 beds. Subject: A convenient
sample of all available nurses with total number 50 was recruited in the previously mentioned units.
Data collection tools: 1) Nurses' self- administered questionnaire, 2) Nurses' practice observational
checklists. 3) Ramsy Sedation Scale (RSS) 4) Factors affecting accidental extubation of
endotracheal tube. Results: The present study revealed that more than half of the nurses had
satisfactory level of knowledge regarding endotracheal tube care and level of practice (54%, 52%)
respectively. Many factors affecting positively on accidental extubation of endotracheal tube is
reported by majority of the nurses under the study namely; patient related factors, nurses related
factors and environmental related factors (42%, 68%, 64 %)respectively. Conclusion: Based on the
current study, it can be concluded that more than half of the study nurses had satisfactory level of
knowledge regarding care of endotracheal tube. In addition many factors affecting positively on
accidental extubation of endotracheal tube in critical care units as reported by majority of the nurses
under the study namely; patient related factors, nurses related factors and environmental related
factors Recommendations: suggest nurses' care protocol for improving knowledge & practice
regarding endotracheal tube care taking into consideration the factors affecting accidental
extubation.